mother and jeremey bentham

bringing mother here to the grove home for our annual christmas celebration is a little like jeremey bentham's attendance at the annual board meeting of the school of economics at the university of london every year. after mr. bentham had died, he had his bones stripped, a wax head made, and had himself dressed in his best clothes in a wicker backed wheel chair. his bequest stipulated that he must be present every year at the annual board meeting. his actual head was preserved in mummified form in a box above a portal at the school. i saw a photograph of it in the london times when i was there in 1968. i went to the school and inquired of a porter, and was shown the portal where the head was, and mr. bentham on display behind a glass case. i asked if he had been out lately, and was told, oh yes, mr bentham recently attended the classics department dinner.

bringing mother here is not exactly the same, but she lives in an nearby nursing home, largle incognizant, but seems to know me, and responds to yes or no questions. she obviously enjoys her food. she will be dressed in some of her best clothes and brought here in a wheelchair. my brother pat will assist me. everyone here is anxious to see her, and i want her to see my rooms. i think she will enjoy the trip and being here among the people and i'm sure she will like the food. it should be a great event for all of us. i hope so. keep us in your prayers.