Media, Pennsylvania
April 17, 1882
Dear Cousin Augusta,
A letter from [your sister] Sarah has just come bringing me
the sad, sad tidings of your great affliction. It is so sudden I wonder if I am
dreaming. You, who are already realizing the loss, know well it is no dream. My
heart aches for you and I wish I could do something to lessen your load of
sorrow, but all the words of sympathy that ever were spoken cannot make the loss
seem less. They may assure us that friendly hearts are grieving with us, but
they do not place the loved one in our midst again.
You seem so far away from us all – now, when you need
your home friends most. [Your sister] Sarah gives me no particulars of James’
illness – but writes that [your son] Willie is helpless with an attack of
rheumatism. Your heart and hands have been, and are full – and I am so sorry
for you. Am afraid you will give out. And I saw from Sarah’s letter that she
was greatly worried about you. I am so thankful you have kind neighbors and
friends to do for you and sympathize with you.
My mother, as you know, is with Anna this winter. Am
expecting she will want to go home before long to attend to the yard and garden.
We cannot bear to have her alone in the house so I have been urging Sarah to
stay [with her] until I can be there, which will be about the middle of June.
Mother is not real well and we feel quite anxious about her much of the time. I
do not want her to have a bit of the care of the house this summer, but expect
it will be hard to prevent her doing all she can. We are having quite lovely,
spring like weather and the grounds around this building are beginning to look
very lovely and green.
With much love and sympathy for you and the children, and
earnest wishes that you may keep well. And I hope that Willie may soon be
restored to health.
Yours most affectionately,
Lucy A. Fiddis
