David Byrd • Catalogue Raisonné
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Letter 68
David Byrd to Mary Byrd (sister), May 2, 2003
A draft letter written by David Byrd to his sister, Mary. He commiserates with her about growing old and muses about their mother. He continues by mentioning his old car, what he observes while in the waiting room of VA, and adds a few thoughts about the Catholic Church. A draft letter to Tom, a bottle collector, is on the backside. (A memory painting of David Byrd as a boy and his mother, Eva Byrd, who worked as a ticket taker in Brooklyn, NY. P255)
Transcript

May 2: 03

Dear Mary,

Nice to hear from you and have the opportunity to get a letter off. People our age are dropping dead all the time and I don’t know what to do about it. Except to continue to paint and try to solve problems and make plans. Hard to be right, easy to be wrong. Do you think mom should have painted pictures. She was so strange and unhappy and ignorant. It might have been about an outlet. My twelve year old car has about wore out. Hope to get have two more years from it but doubt it.

Are you making a garden. Wonder what you do. Do you have any observations to pass on, to think about? I’m sure you do. Had to go Went up to the Albany VA Hospital recently for something a routine exam and spending time in the lobby waiting for the van to go back with I watch the elevators opening and closing. And the people, nobody hardly under fifty, a poor old women wife woman pushing a poor old husband man in a wheelchair, lots of them, fellows with special canes, special shoes, nose hoses, cripples, oxygen tanks and hurrying others the staff people hurrying on and off and here and there back-and-forth a bit of Theater.

Been a lot of trouble lawsuits in the Catholic Church religion. They are supposed to be eunuchs but instead

—page 2—

attract priest that (take advantage besides) domineer and kid you and take advantage. Never did I understand what was American about being ordered to confession. So though in a totalitarian police state. Sex, birth control, family planning etc. are all sinful to them. Father eunuch. Well on that depressing subject I stop

Love
Dave

Been so pretty since the snow melted. (Freed to go out) It’s so flat good and flat with nothing to cut. Appreciate that. Color rich with tans and browns. The Shadtrees are blossoming now, soon apple blossoms and blackberries following. On a sunny day it is the best place on earth.

Remember that place in the country when we were kids? How sad that it wasn’t taken care of and some brains around at the time. The meadows, the creeks, the orchard, the barn, the house. Apparently, mom Apparently everybody wanted wants to escape from home always. On that I stop

—back—

April: 7: 03

Dear Tom,
I am sorry that I did not make the show. I had car problems that emergency repair failed to fix.

Tried phoning Fri night and Sat but no answer at the show place nor the number the operator gave for your you.

Sincerely,
David Byrd

Record last updated February 7, 2026. Please note the catalogue is an evolving project and continually updated with new information that best reflects David Byrd's legacy.
Citation: Isaacson, Jody and Jessica Farrell. "David Byrd to Mary Byrd (sister), May 2, 2003 (Letter 68)." In David Byrd Catalogue Raisonné. Sidney Center, NY: David Byrd Estate. www.davidbyrdcatalogue.org/correspondence/entry.php?id=69 (accessed on September 29, 2026).