»  Letter: Tuesday, February 23, 1993

 

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  Transcription of Letter

From
M^rs J.R. Derbyshire
Liston House
105 Boughton Green Rd
Kingsthorpe
Northampton  NN2. 7SU

To
Lynette Rose Derbyshire
15 Chestnut Street
Huntington
NY 11743   U.S.A.

Feb 23^rd 1993

My darling Rose,

Thank you for your sweet card and letter, I do understand how you feel dear, you are going through Post-Natal Depression, it is not surprizing after all you've gone through. Your experience of birth was very unfortunate & traumatic for you & should not have been allowed. However, try & put it behind you love, now you are too much on your own, too many hours but believe me Rosie, these feelings will pass  Try & give it 2-3 more months & Eleanor will get more interesting & will be able to go on to a better feeding routine. Try not to worry about breast feeding dear as long as she is getting nourishment she won't come to any harm. I know the lack of sleep doesn't help either. A baby brings so many changes in your life. I just wish you had some more young mothers near you. Could you not confide in this motherly lady^[1] who has helped you & have you taked to John how you feel. Don't even think of other children at this point. I feel so helpless Rosie. I don't want to add to your worries only wish I could help. Warmer days are coming & this dreary winter will be over. Please dera, don't worry about being unable to go out to work. Think of the pros & cons, the city will be overcrowded & you wouldn't be any better off I'm sure in the end. It's not easy doing a job & caring for a baby, home, etc., The skills you have will wait & time passes so quickly. There is great unemployment here Rose & the crime rate is worse than ever. I know what an expensive time it is for you, I so wish I could help you. John is not to send me money. I'd give you some if I could. It's a pity really you couldn't have had the baby here but she'll soon grow & hopefully things will ease for you  I do hope so. Take care of yourself. John loves you both very much it will worry him so if he thinks you are unhappy. I so wish you were nearer  don't worry about me dear, I'm fine & think of you constantly. You are not selfish Rose, far from it, you are a capable & loving wife & mother, so cheer up my love. Write to me any time

love you

Love & cuddles to her!

X X X   Mum   X X X