16th November 1963
Dear Mrs. Jones,
Many thanks for your card. There was certainly nothing unpleasant, that is to say,
painful, about my spell in hospital this summer, but I learnt afterwards that it was touch and go whether I survived. But thank God I pulled through, and can now say I'm as well as I ever shall be again. I must resign myself to an invalid life for the future, coupled with a strict diet; but when I look around me and see how many worse troubles afflict others I have great cause for gratitude. I can still write, and my friends are very good about visiting me; in short, things might be very much worse.
It is like your usual kindness to offer to send me some luxuries, but if you did, they would probably turn out to be forbidden fruit; for I am allowed no
meat of any kind - flesh, fowl, or good red herring! But though I am unable to take advantage of your offer, I am none the less grateful to you for making it.
From a man in my condition, what news can you expect? I rarely venture further afield than a stroll in the garden. Once a week I attend a reunion of old friends at one of the Oxford taverns. (
Beer thank goodness is not on the list of things denied me). Sometimes some kind person takes me out for a run in a car. Otherwise I write, read, and answer letters; one day is like another. But you are not to think of me as unhappy or bored...
With all best wishes to you both, from us both,
yours ever,
C.S. Lewis