Local Quarters, 13 March 1942
Darling Mama, my dear children!
A real breath of spring is flowing through the air. The fresh morning air is pouring through the open window and filling my thoughts with the urge to go outside for a taste of freedom. Yes, since I left you I haven’t gone outside by myself. We don’t get to go out into the city here, of course.
I continuously have to violently chase away the thought of seeing you all again soon and be content with simply thinking of you. I have more time for such thoughts here than I did when I was with my troop. So I spend every day with you. In the mornings I am with you, my love, as you’re feeding our little Brigitte. She’s calling you and is waiting impatiently for her breakfast. Afterwards you lay down again, while Agathe grabs the broom and tidies up the living room. Or maybe it’s Friday, like today--then there is more exhaustive cleaning to be done. In that case, the two big girls are already awake for the day. First they talk with each other and then they open the blinds to see if the snow has withdrawn itself in order to make room for another season. Now they are cheery and snuggle with each other in bed. Soon enough they ask you if they may lie in my bed, and then they become boisterous. The door is opened and so begins the carefree day for them and for you, the wearisome work. At breakfast everyone sits together after all the washing has been done.
I couldn’t continue writing this letter until this evening, because the cart came by with lunch--there was mashed potatoes and cauliflower with an egg. After lunch I wanted to have my midday nap, which has become somewhat of a habit for me here. My nap was interrupted by an air raid alarm. The Brits came for a visit. Despite my best attempts to stay in bed, I was forced to go down to the basement. This time, the event was harmless. In the afternoon I went out into the courtyard and walked around the pathways. At 5 pm I received your dear letter along with a letter from our dear Uncle Malz. They made me very happy. I don’t want to answer those now--I’ll do it in a special letter later. Right now I’d like to expand on the thoughts I was having earlier and discuss more thoroughly the rest of the day’s happenings at home.
After breakfast, many duties await you. The kitchen and sewing machine are only two of your jobs, alongside those is the task of being both loving and strict mother to the children. So the whole day passes and tests your strength and patience all the way into the evening. The evening hours give you a bit of relief once the children have been put to bed. Every once in a while you’ll tear yourself away and go with my friend Franz to the Glockenhütte or into town. There, a nice distraction renews your energy. See--this is how I imagine you all the time and am with you, just as you are all with me.
In this way, we are carrying our burdens together through a connection in thought, each of us in our own places. The time is coming, though, when we can sit together again and remain with each other forever.
I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your letter. I will answer it as soon as possible. I remain your Josef, who loves you, and send you and the children many heartfelt greetings and kisses.
The drawing from Irmgard is too lovely.
Darling Mama, my dear children!
A real breath of spring is flowing through the air. The fresh morning air is pouring through the open window and filling my thoughts with the urge to go outside for a taste of freedom. Yes, since I left you I haven’t gone outside by myself. We don’t get to go out into the city here, of course.
I continuously have to violently chase away the thought of seeing you all again soon and be content with simply thinking of you. I have more time for such thoughts here than I did when I was with my troop. So I spend every day with you. In the mornings I am with you, my love, as you’re feeding our little Brigitte. She’s calling you and is waiting impatiently for her breakfast. Afterwards you lay down again, while Agathe grabs the broom and tidies up the living room. Or maybe it’s Friday, like today--then there is more exhaustive cleaning to be done. In that case, the two big girls are already awake for the day. First they talk with each other and then they open the blinds to see if the snow has withdrawn itself in order to make room for another season. Now they are cheery and snuggle with each other in bed. Soon enough they ask you if they may lie in my bed, and then they become boisterous. The door is opened and so begins the carefree day for them and for you, the wearisome work. At breakfast everyone sits together after all the washing has been done.
I couldn’t continue writing this letter until this evening, because the cart came by with lunch--there was mashed potatoes and cauliflower with an egg. After lunch I wanted to have my midday nap, which has become somewhat of a habit for me here. My nap was interrupted by an air raid alarm. The Brits came for a visit. Despite my best attempts to stay in bed, I was forced to go down to the basement. This time, the event was harmless. In the afternoon I went out into the courtyard and walked around the pathways. At 5 pm I received your dear letter along with a letter from our dear Uncle Malz. They made me very happy. I don’t want to answer those now--I’ll do it in a special letter later. Right now I’d like to expand on the thoughts I was having earlier and discuss more thoroughly the rest of the day’s happenings at home.
After breakfast, many duties await you. The kitchen and sewing machine are only two of your jobs, alongside those is the task of being both loving and strict mother to the children. So the whole day passes and tests your strength and patience all the way into the evening. The evening hours give you a bit of relief once the children have been put to bed. Every once in a while you’ll tear yourself away and go with my friend Franz to the Glockenhütte or into town. There, a nice distraction renews your energy. See--this is how I imagine you all the time and am with you, just as you are all with me.
In this way, we are carrying our burdens together through a connection in thought, each of us in our own places. The time is coming, though, when we can sit together again and remain with each other forever.
I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your letter. I will answer it as soon as possible. I remain your Josef, who loves you, and send you and the children many heartfelt greetings and kisses.
The drawing from Irmgard is too lovely.
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