Quite frankly we don't like that lazy fad of the canned Christmas letter any . better than you. But in year of major changes in one's life it is an awfully convenient way to spread the word among a great number of people, assuming in one's egocentricity that they have some interest in our way of life. But you still have a choice of stopping right now and disposing of this in the nearest waste receptacle or going on at your own risk. -- Well, l knew . . . you are curious, if for no other reason but to learn something about the life of the idle retired whose ranks we (or I ) have joined recently. The father of the family--being the author of this epistle--uses poetic license to vary personal pronouns from time to time.

Well , this past August , l had reached that point in my military career, when I could ask the powers to let me go. They took a look at their worldwide commitment, then looked at me and decided to do without me . They bestowed upon me the largesses of retirement plus the not inconsiderable honor of a Legion of Merit award and let me shed the uniform as my daily garment. Now I am faced with the problem what to wear, when I get up in the morning--some quandary you have not been used to it for good many years . Then it became clear that the retirement bounty did not permit that riotous career of loafing that one likes to associate with the word. Thus back to another treadmill. We decided , after suitable deliberations and inquiries , to chuck the populous areas of the East and move to the Midwest's open spaces . The Indians had just left the Missouri plains making the local settlers wander where their next worries should come from. So they decided to try mental health in the hope that psychiatrists would provide a pleasant change of pace for the population. Here we are , right in the heartland of Missouri, at Columbia, seat of the University, surrounded by farmland and soft hilly country. My job is to start a Community Mental Health Center to serve a large area. While our proud building is being erected , I travel around telling people about psychiatry in case they don' t know what they have missed so far. In addition, I try my hand at interior decorating, selecting equipment and furniture for the center, assembling a staff to run it and teach students and residents at the medical school.

We have purchased quite comfortable house in a pleasant residential section . It overlooks small ravine in the back and , from its balcony, we have lovely view of treetops and sky . The town is delightful, a small community with two colleges in addition to the U. of Missouri. All institutions are in process of considerable expansion. The schools are good, since most children are faculty offspring. Our kids have adjusted to the change . Eleanor has become a distinguished member of the elementary school honors band . All three are doing very well scholastically . The lady of the house has her hands full--domestic help is hard to find , and much of her time is taken up by chauffeuring. Ample cultural facilities are provided by the three educational institutions. Although they may not be of the high calibre found in great centers they are at least accessible and cover a great variety of interests. The countryside offers opportunities for excursions , and St .Louis as well as Kansas City are within easy traveling distance . Therefore we are pleased with our choice of location and hope to enjoy the more leisurely pace to its fullest. We hope that any of you crossing the continent will find time to stop over and visit with us.

[The Silbermans]