Letter from John G. Neihardt to Lucile Aly, November 25, 1961

Nov. 25, '61 Dear Lucile:

Of course I know you would go to Lincoln if you could. I'm sorry you can't be there; but even if you were able to go, it would be a lot to ask of you. Stanley writes that they are "putting a bang-up program together", but he wants to surprise me and so does not tell all. No doubt he has told you. I'm mighty glad the necessary operation is not a dangerous one, that you are running no risk.

It seems Hiddy will drive up to Lincoln, taking Alice, me, and the kids. I'll probably have to stay over until the 9th, as the Hist. Society wants to take a lot of my memories. Also, they have a big idea about a joint interview with Mari Sandoz and me. I'm not strong for this, because I can't at the moment think of what the heck we'd talk about. You know I'm her friend and fan, and she has been kind to the pore pore old man; but the dedication should be sufficient public exposure for the time alotted.

I wish I could be really joyous about this business. I appreciate it greatly, and am deeply grateful to Stanley and his helpers, but there's a bit of sadness. I find it hard to explain. Maybe if Mona could be there to see her bust in bronze placed in the State Capitol — It seems so unfair. I remember the scores of busts she worked on, always trying to make a better one, and a better one still. And she did want to have one in bronze. Now I am present big as life, and, so far as we can know, she isn't. (I wish you were going to be there with that glow in your face — the way Mona's used to glow.) I'm sure that when I get in the swing of it and feel the goodness of the promoters and the others present I'll be happy. I want to be. But surely old Vergil "meant plenty that he didn't just invent" when he wrote that golden line — "Sunt lacrymae rerum", [their?] there are tears in things

I must say something at the ceremony and I must not appear complacent, for I am far from that.

I do hope your operation won't hurt too much, dear lady.

Woof! Arf! Arf! R-r-r-r. Woof!

Same old sentiments of highest steam. John Gaki