From the resort: a few letters

I never knew my grandfather. Dumitru C. Drăgan (alias Titi) died nine years before I was born. From discussions with his parents and the little documentary material I had access to, I was able to reconstruct his story. He was born in Constanța, on June 18, 1924, graduated from the Boys' Commercial High School in 1943 and then enrolled in the Officers' School. In April 1945 he was sent to the front. In the following years he served in military units in Inău, Arad, Turda, Baia Mare and Giurgiu. He met his grandmother, Florina Rosu, in Constanta, where she had come on leave to visit her family. They married in 1948 in Baia Mare. In 1952, he went into the reserve. After that he worked as an economist in Murfatlar and then Constanta. Around the same time he began to suffer from chest pains.

The only letters that remain from him are the ones he sent to his family from the spa resorts where he went for treatment:

1. Sinaia 9. XI. 961

My dear wife,

It was with a heavy heart that I parted from you, waiting until the last moment to see your waving hand. I could not justify my departure - to myself - knowing that you are also on vacation, and I am going to rest in the resort and you stay at home to worry about the household and the children.

I left anyway and spent my time as far as Medgidia with Tanța's sister, Mioara. [...] Further on I struck up a conversation with a traveler who was going to Călărași and got off at Ciulnița. With him we talked mainly about harvests, corn, wheat, and the domestic situation. A man of 75, he had been mayor of Călărași for 20 years. From Ciulnița to Bucharest I didn't talk to anyone. At 17:30 I arrived in Bucharest. At 20:07 I took the difference for the Oradea accelerate and left for Sinaia - with two stops: Ploiești and Cîmpina.

At 22:22 we arrived in Sinaia. From Bucharest it started to rain lightly, and in Sinaia it was raining like crazy. I went to the house of assignment and they gave me a room with three beds at the Villa "1 Mai", Str. 30 Decembrie, Room 28. [...] The next day it rained again, so all I did was to visit the house of culture, the exhibition and play chess. For 8. XI. I made a nicer program, for in the morning, at 10:30, I visited Peles Castle, from where I also sent you a postcard. In the afternoon I read. In the evening, after 8:30, there was a dance program at the cultural house, from which it was only natural that I should not miss. I stayed until 11:35, then went to rest. At the Castle I also took some photographs which I will show you when I come home.

On 9. XI., in the morning, I went with two companions to visit the Cățelul Cascade, about an hour from Sinaia. There I met other acquaintances. The evening before I went to the theater, where a team of amateur artists presented the play Love Story , the subject of which I will describe at home. In the end, apart from 100 pages of the novel Gil Blas and 50 pages of Nelson's biography - which I got from the library - I read nothing. [...] I tried to make my hours here as pleasant as possible. I've also written postcards for friends at GAS and Constanta. Today I'll write to Aurel. I've thought a lot about you because I know you're waiting to hear from me.

I miss you more and more. [...] I'm trying to imagine how you take care of Otilia, and I'd be upset if she got a bad grade while I'm resting. I'm sure you take care of Ovid, whom you adore. [...] I kiss you, kiss the children for me, for I love everything I know I left at home.

I love you,
Titi

2. Sinaia 11. XI. 961

My dear wife and my beloved children,

It's starting to be nice weather around here. I have taken some pictures with my camera which I will develop at home as I have no money here. I have a justification of my expenses to this day - apart from 12 lei which I don't know what small change I spent. [...] I made another trip, together with my colleagues, to Poiana Stînei where the king had his flock of sheep. It's a lodge at 1200 meters. I left at 9 o'clock in the morning and came back at 13. In the afternoon I attended the interregional handball match in Sinaia, with teams from the region.

I didn't go to the club this evening because it was dance night and I didn't want to stay to "yawn" at the young people dancing ro-co-co. [...] I feel lonely and I can't get used to the entourage here. However, I am satisfied so far with the way the time has passed. Without too much fatigue.

In any case, I have found that when resting one should not go in one's best suit, for day after day you can get it dirty and with great difficulty you can make another. Because I should also have bought a pair of mail trousers, the balonzaider, a tie, that short made in Bucharest - the sports short - the velvet coat, etc. etc. etc. Of course, inexperienced as I am, I "fried myself" this time, as I see others do.

On another note, I would like to ask you to take care of the children, see to it that Otilia does her daily lessons and gets her grades in math and geography straight. And look and guide her to read. Private, leisure reading is great. [...] As for Ovid, please take care he doesn't catch cold. I miss you all. When I pass by the school, I stop to look at the students and I remember you. [...]

I forgot to tell you I've had my blood pressure checked, 15½, so there's no danger of me hanging around here any longer than necessary. I've noticed that my heart doesn't stab like in Constance. Maybe the quiet has a positive influence on the blood pressure and heart. [...]

For your amusement, I'm sending you two photos I took here, one in front of the cultural center in Sinaia and the other of me "fighting with the bear". I'll tell you at home how I was attacked by a "bear" in the forest and I barely had time to take off my coat before he jumped on two legs to hit and bite me. The "bear" was as big as I was and I could barely drag him down. I will tell Ovid and Otilia the story in more detail when I get home. [...]

Have you been to my elders? How are they? I love you very much, and I kiss the children - kiss them for me three times each. I'm thinking of you and waiting to see you again.

I arrive on the morning of the 18th, at the accelerated or in person. I'd like to be expected. Details of my arrival I will give you in the next letter.

With love and good wishes,
Titi

3. Tușnad Băi, 16. IV. 978

My dears,

I arrived safely in Tușnad. I am staying at Villa No. 3, Room 8, first floor, together with a young man from Arad, 27 years old. [...] Until tomorrow (17. IX.), when I go again for consultation, I have not received any medication, except for baths - which I will start on the 18th (perhaps), as my blood pressure was found the first time on 24/12, the second time on 22/11 and the third time on 20/10. I'm not allowed to do carbonated because of blood pressure over 20.

The resort is nice, but noisy. I live opposite the reception office, next to the Railway Station, so every day there is noise and polluted air. Only 11 days left. [...] All I have is jun junk food which is good for my nerves and heart. On the expenses diary, which doesn't tally with the tally at home, I've entered the following: medicines 50 lei, postcards 25, lemons 12, socks 13, towel 16, postcards 15, syrup 10, milk 10, handkerchief 5, newspapers 6, lemon strainer 3, coffee 10, telephone 10, attention for the host 15, total 200. Plus cigarettes 9 lei for 10 days, 5 lei resort tax and miscellaneous 15 lei. I still have 65 lei for 10 days and I'm out of money. And I'll be as poor as I've always been in the resort. [...]

Life in a resort is monotonous and boring, especially when you're old, because all you find here now are pensioners and children on vacation. They come for a day or two and make an infernal racket, then go home. [...] Have you ever been to mom's? Tell her I'm fine for now, I wish she wouldn't worry. I've gained weight on this diet food. I drink a pound of milk with a lemon every day, like the doctor said. That's why I bought 1 kg of lemons (12 lei). At night I didn't sleep very well because my right knee is stabbing me. The consultation was done by the resort's own doctor, Dr. Marius Gheorghe, a senior specialist. I let my breath out, but I'm still breathing hard, especially after I've eaten with gusto, although not much and not really well. This air drags you to sleep and food.

I talked to my roommate and he told me that in Arad you can find DELICAT, so I asked him while he's staying in the resort to write to his aunt to send us, for 10 lei, 10 packages. And then I'll give her the money by money order. I left her home address in Constanta. So I'll keep in touch with him. He's promised to get us, whenever we need it, DELICAT. [...]

It's been raining since I've been in the resort. Only this morning it was clear as the sea. The rest of the stay: clouds, fog, rain - morning, noon, evening. Until today I didn't get any treatment. Today, Monday the 17th, I'm going for another checkup. I guess the resort didn't suit me. [...] I'd rather stay at home and not spend the money and not get upset about everything. And I'd have spent the money on building materials, because the thought of not doing anything to finish that porch in the courtyard makes me sick. I'd have just done it. I'd be happier that I'd accomplished something. I think that's the root cause of my illness. [...] He found my blood pressure 20/11 and on Friday 20/15, so a little better, but he didn't prescribe any baths or mophetamines. In 2 days I'm going for another check-up on the 20th. IV. That's all.

One night I had a dream about Bogdănel and Ovidiu. They were a couple and I told them stories about the goat and the bear, and I laughed more than them.

It started raining again around here, so I'm sitting in the house again. In the evening at dinner, then on TV and home. I'm getting bored and can't wait to come home. [...] Today I spent another 10 lei on sleeping medicine and 3 lei on cigarettes, 2 lei on coffee, 1.50 on a glass of syrup after I left the doctor. On average I spent about 15-20 lei a day, one on top of the other - maybe more. At home I spent only 10 lei. So not convenient in the resort. [...] I look forward to seeing you again. I'll phone you on the 26-27. IV. On the 28th I leave for Constanța.

Love, hug to you all,
Titi

Keep the letter until I come home.