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Transcription of Letter
From
E. A. Derbyshire
Lister House
105, Boughton Green Rd
Kingsthorpe, Northampton
England NN27SU
To
Mrs Lynette Rose Derbyshire
15, Chestnut Street,
Huntington
N Y 11743 U.S.A.
November 26th
My darling Rose,
I got your letter this morning & it made me very sad for you. I long to be nearer to you to give
you what comfort I could. Rose dear I deeply regret & feel very ashamed that I wasn't more understanding &
helpful to you at first.
Please forgive me for my thoughtlessness. I admit I was a bit worried, chiefly because John was so much older than you
& I knew how much he
liked being on his own with his books & his way of life, but as I got to know you better I grew to love you,
knowing how much John loved you
& what a brave & loving girl you were. You see dear there was 14 years difference in age between my husband
& myself & though we
were happy the first few years, things changed he became bitter & aggressive, There was no social or sexual
contact on his part & in
those days, there was lack of communication between us & I was very unhappy. John was my "shoulder to cry
on", I couldn't talk to
Judith & still can't & even then there were things I couldn't tell John, but I think he understood & helped
me through many bad times with
his love & understanding. I'm very happy for him now, he has his own lovely family & I know he loves you &
the little one very very much.
I'm sure if there is another world your mother will know this too & will be watching over you. Rosie, I still talk
to my mother as you can to
yours I am so very sad & sorry she didn't live to see you & little Nellie, & it is trite to say, at
least she's not suffering any
more. That's not much comfort to you at the moment, dear, try to live on your loving memories of her. She would want
you to get on with your life
dear. & she knows you are in good hands. I think of you every minute & am often tempted to pick up the phone,
but sadly, it is so expensive
& I don't want you or John counting the cost. However, I shall ring you now & then just to re-assure you that
I am thinking of you & love
you truly. I couldn't have a better daughter-in-law. Your pictures give me great joy Rose. I am thinking of you all the
time. lots of love from your
loving second mother. love to John & cuddles to her Ladyship. The pain of loss will ease darling, but you will
never forget. Be happy.
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