My dear Girls:
Unfortunately for me, this is only the second Round Robin I have received and I have wondered frequently whether the splendid plan had been abandoned. But about a week ago, I met Daisy Matthews in New York, and was delighted to learn that the latest group of letters had reached her and she passed them on to me.
This beautiful June first has been a delightful day for me, for I have spent practically the entire day sitting out of doors in the sunshine in a wonderfully beautiful part of Connecticut country visiting with my old, old friends, my friends of my girlhood. It has been such fun fitting the signatures and personality of the letters to the memory I love of each of you.
It is indeed most gratifying to know what splendid women our girls have developed into and each and every one seems to have lived her life the best according to the particular opportunities presented to her.
When I read how some of the girls have done such unusually fine things, I feel rather different about writing anything of my life, as somehow in many ways it has not been so thrillingly interesting, but I am happy to say, it has been a busy life.
When I say that for four years I was Principal of 'Miss Norris' School at Cynywyd, PA" you can readily see I have been certainly busy. They were four very happy years and I built up a most attractive out-of-door school. However the war made great changes in our community and I felt it unwise to continue for financial reasons- So I gave up my school and accepted a position at Miss Spence's School in New York City.
During the past six or seven years, my dear mother has been with me, and now that she is near eighty years old, you can readily see the watchful care she must have. During the war period I was eager to go over seas, but it was impossible to leave my mother. I did what I could, but felt although I could do comparatively little, my family was well represented. One of my sisters was at Cape May, NJ doing reconstruction work with the deaf soldiers, in fact is still actively engaged in teaching the deaf soldiers lip reading. Then my brother represented this country in London in gas warfare, rank Lieutenant Colonel. His work was most (?responsible?) and we are all very proud of the important work he accomplished.
One more detail about myself and then I shall close this long letter. On June 12, 1921 I was married to Mr. John Thomas Bailey (MD) and we have had a most happy year together. We are looking forward to a wonderful summer as we have taken a (?housegarden?) for the summer at Rowayton on the Conn. shore of Long Island Sound and we are having our first experience at gardening. Mr. Bailey tries to make me think he is very wise as a farmer, but between you and me, I think he is experimenting with this seed planting just as much as I !
I am sorry I can give no permanent address as Rowayton is only until October. Then it will be New York someplace, where is a mystery as yet. This housing problem in New York is not easy. However, I keep in close touch with Ruth Haslup and Daisy Matthews so they could always reach me in case anyone should wish to send me any sort of communication.
I do hope I may see you before we are all gray and feeble!
With affectionate greetings to dear old 1903 classmates I am
Ever sincerely,
Lyda Norris Bailey
Last Updated 8/26/1999.