»  Letter: Tuesday, July 20, 1993

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  Transcription of Letter

From
M^rs E. Derbyshire
Lister House
105 Boughton Green Rd.
Kingsthorpe
Northampton
England

To
John & Lynette Derbyshire
15, Chestnut Street,
Huntington
New York 11743.
U.S.A.

July 20^th 1993

My darling children,  John, Rosie, Princess & Marcus^[1],

received the lovely pictures today. I laughed & cried at her dear little face  Peggy says she must be the loveliest baby in U.S.A. & the most loved & best dressed. Rosie, you too look lovely & John looks well & happy. It pleased me very much to see the white flower & strawberry pot stand. Rosie, apart from everything else you must have "green fingers". I know how much you love flowers, it shows all around you. I look at all the pictures a thousand times over & I am lucky to have two such lovely families  I hope Marcus is able to amuse himself & keep occupied, but it's good for him to learn self-reliance. I think he's a fine young man but we mustn't forget he's still a boy & at an age^[2] that can be very confusing, not quite a boy not yet a man, but with the feelings of both  one wants to protect him & try to put him wise on the way though I know guys at his age won't & don't want to listen to us oldies. I don't wish to sound like an old mother hen Marcus, but be careful when you go into New York. tell John where you're going & some idea of how long you'll be, & be wary. John these are the pictures you took with Peg's camera 2 yrs ago — I've been here 3 years today. I never thought I'd last this long. I shed enough tears to sink a ship, I hated everybody & everything  I thought no-one knew or cared how I felt & wished I could die. Jean & I used to say if we had to "Go into a Home" we'd commit suicide, but I wouldn't even have the nerve to do that. but don't worry. those feelings are past & I can cope better now. I just want my families to be well & safe & happy & above all healthy. I've never wanted to cause you or Judith any worries, you both have enough to worry about & If I've ever been critical or said & done things that have upset either of you I'm sorry, I only ever wanted you both to be happy & financially sound  I've always loved you both & am proud of you both & always have been

Love as always

Your silly old Mum

Love to all the children & you both.  X X X X X X