Paterson NJ. May 4 1930.

 

Dear Nephews and nieces,

It is about time we write you once more, and for a start we congratulate you with you newborn son [Jacob, born March 30 1930] and whish he may grow up in the fear of the Lord, for beloved children [Tjamme and Atje] you will learn it yourself when you get older and your children grow up, what a joy it is to see your children behave well and join [into church] to serve the Lord, I know by experience. Sidney and Trijna both are married, and both have a fine man and wife who serve the Lord with them, they are so good for us, want to do anything for us and Willemina now is 12 year old and is truly a good child, when everything goes well she finishes school and when she is first of her class she will attend the Christian High School [alternative:  …she finishes school and she is the first in her class. Then (when finished school) she will attend etc], so we have a nice family, and Sidney and Helena now live downstairs from us so we benifit all, with me also, she does anything for me and denies me from doing any work. Yes dear children yesterday  was 7 weeks since the brought me to hospital, and what hasn't happened in those 7 weeks. The 15th to hospital, the 17th gotten almost a liter and a half (3 pints) blood from Hein of aunt Flora [to be resolved] and operated upon the 18th. A dangerous operation, without blood the docter did not dare to operate for I would not survive he told. I was ,unknowingly, that bad. I suffered a lot of pain for 2 days after the opereration but for the rest it went

 

very well. On April first I went to our Trijna and stayed there for 2 weeks. And now I am home again and the mornig of the  5th of April we got your telegram that my beloved brother. That was a sad message, they at first wanted to keep me from knowing, but it was if I had a misgivving so I  asked Uncle twice if there hadn't been a telegram. The first time he pretended not to hear me and started playing with Trijna's little one but soon after I asked him again, and then he did not know what to do for he did not want telling lies either, so he told they had gotten a telegram that morning. That was quite a shock even though we had been expecting it, even so when the blow hits it hits hard. Don't say anything beloved ones, but I think that when grandfather also is gone I be left last, my dear beloved mother [Trijntje Post born Jan 24, 1854 † June 24 1896, age 42] died when I was still so young, [Pietje born November 8, 1882 so she was 13], and now my beloved brother [Jacob Machiela born July 20, 1877 † April 5, 1930 age 53] so if I may survive father [Anne born November 14, 1854 actually † Januari 23, 1938] I am left single, for Grandfather [of her children, as well as Tjamme's grandfather, is her father] is so good and I love him dearly, but from the other one [stepmother Sijke Rozendal] I notice too well that I am not one of hers, never mention this to her children!, she [stepmother Sijke] writes to her children Jan and T. but never a word to us, only father does, but that does not count, once father is gone there is no need for me to write [to stepmother Sijke] for if she will not write now, she then neither will, but say a word to anyone. I have to speak out once in a while and I trust you most, we do have a good relation with Jan and T. Jan is as my own brother, I think that once the day arrives [(step)mother SIjke dies] and we both [Pietje and Jan] may still live, so their mother [Sijke Rozendal] is gone too, everything will change, then I will be more of them, I dont blaim the boys [stepbrothers Jan and Pieter] but only the (old one). [Sijke Rozendal]

 

you should write me also if Pieter and baukje are mourning. Jan is [dressed] dark but Trijntje not, but don't tell anybody, because I do not want to admit I write this to you, I have been to church last week thursday just before supper, for shure I don't need to walk for we go by Car, the saturdaymorning uncle Jan has been downtown with Helena and me, and I got myself a new black dress. Uncle Piet doesn't work on saturdays so he could bring us with the car. I already had 2 black dresses but now I have one to weare on sundays the others I have to use on other occasions. My former sunday dress was a blue silk one, which I cannot wear now. and I had all light stockings and braun shoes, so I had to go downtown to get black shoes and stockings and a new hat. so we had to go downtown before I could attend church and Trijna and Helena bought me some black-tinted fabric and made me some new [literally: morning dress, but that is most likely not what she means, presumable dresses you wear when working] dresses for me. Yes beloved ones a lot has happened in those 7 weeks. but our hearts flow over with praise and thanks to the Lord who made all so well with me. Yes, beloved it looked dark, but now the Lord made it light again. Tanks to Him alone. And oh how pleased we were when we heared that your father was prepared to die. what a joy for us in mourn. I worried and shed quite some tears over it. How is your mother doing, is she alone now, and what will she do now. Do write about this since we cannot talk over it, your mother should have had my letter by now, I am expecting  a return

 

letter soon. we didn't get one single letter from Grandmother but Jan and T. already 2, in which they wrote they did not get one from us. now that is strange, but it is up to them, I don't blaim grandfather BUT!!! ik did write something the fridaynight before I went to hospital and Uncle piet one the Wednesday after my operation. and the other day, the 20th of March he posted it, and when I was at Trijna's place I did write also one. if it had been Jan or trijntje, she would have said, husband you have to write, but since it is only Pietje[…] but beloved Tj and Atje don't mention it, don't tell anyone. it isn't grandfather to blaim, when they were here I was everythng to father, but we noticed the opposite at the other side, but alas it's nothing, but do write regularly. even if it is just a bit. and I also wrote to your mother [Baukje Nicolay, recent widow of Jacob Machiela †April 5, 1930 ] she must continue writing and as soon as I can manage myself again, we will send something for your baby, we will, the kids want to sent you something as well, but it has to wait untill I have regained some strength. and you should also write how much that telegram costed Tjamme. en now I will finish and don't wait too long. for I do not know anything yet, not the funeral or anything. Now, belowved children, you know what I had to say, but keep quiet! that you may receive this one in health by the blessings of the Lord is the wish and prayer of your loving Uncle and aunt en the children. P en P. S and H. B and T en Willemina Dijkstra en baby's Pearl, Jeanette and Jean Helena Braunius. Do return a letter on the day of arrival, even if it is just a little.