[Fandfs] A Card From Cynthia

Dear Friends Of Cynthia -

I must admit to not remembering that I'd received a letter from her as recently as 2008,but upon finding this one I thought I'd share it. Actually,the reason it took a while for me to discover it was that it has graced my bedroom wall since it arrived!

At some point in that timeframe I had sent her a couple of old postcards with early views of Monterey,and another of the Carmelite mission just north of The Highlands on Route One. So we were carrying on a now-and-again correspondance.

This letter concerns the passing of a man who had been an instructor at the Army Language School. Cynthia writes:

May 25 ' 08

Dear Brian -

Molly and I recalled that you had been a student at the DLI in the Hungarian Department,back in the olden days. It is possible that you had Mr Szaszy as a teacher. In any case,this is a very lively obituary,and even if Mr Szaszy was not your teacher you will enjoy reading it. He had a long and adventurous life,and appreciated his luck at staying alive to a ripe old age.

We think of you,too,and of your old days out here in California.

Love

Cynthia

In fact,Alexander Szaszy ( SAH - see) was one of 9 instructors who taught us that challenging and beautiful language over 47 weeks in the classroom. They were all of the 1956 generation,i.e. those who had to leave their homeland after the uprising.

For anyone who cares,Magyar is one of those languages in which the patronymic comes first,so for example this gentleman's name would be Szaszy Sandor (SAH-see SHAHN-dor). Yes...just pretend you are Bela Lugosi or ZsaZsa !

Typical of Cynthia,this is a UNICEF card, depicting a lovely old doorway in the state of Oaxaca.

Sincerely,

=Brian Voorheis=