CarolineH

Hello Nils!

How are you?

Now I`m in Ohio, America. The boat trip was very long and I got very seasick. And the space was small. It began to rain after 5 days, and many of us became sick. Some didn`t make it, and I thougt I`d never make it, but here I am. I was sick for about 4 weeks, with fever and the cold, and it was really bad for a while! I became friends with some people, and specially with a lady named Mari from North-Norway. We got very much time to talk during the journey. She came to America to marry a man she never have seen or talked to! Only by letters. But he wasn`t bad. I write letter with her to keep the contact, because she lives in Chicago. I`ve been here for 2 weeks now, and things are going okey. Me and some friends from the boat didn`t know where to go, so we went to Ohio because we heard we could by some land there. And we heard right. Now we are building small houses on the land that we bought for a pair of shoes. And we got some tools from the man that we bought the land from. It was a good deal! I hope you are fine back in Norway!

Many kisses from your friend Anne.

The second letter:

Thank you for the letter. I’m so happy that you’re in good health. I’m enjoying every word that you’re writing to me. Yes, I thought of it afterwards, and it was a little dumb of me. But every time I use some money, I feel so guilty. But I wanted to make you a little happy. But you know, I’ll survive, you know that. I’m getting used to eat small meals now, so it’s not a problem. I’m glad you won! If something happened to you, I don’t know what to do. I’m so nervous when I don’t get any letter. But I always get them in the end.

Why can’t the war stop?! It’s so many men that are killed now. But it was good it was the captain that was wounded, and not you! You have to be more careful! What an awful sight that had to be. I don’t want to imagine that.

I have had a visit from my friend Amy for a couple of days ago. Her husband is in the hospital. He was shot in his arm, and he had to amputate half of it. But he will be sent home now, because he is not longer usable in the war. So it was almost good it happened. I hope you some day will come home. But not in a body bag! I’m dreaming of the day you walk into our home and you’re OK. And we can start living again. I think I’m a little sick, but it’s nothing serious. It’s just the cold. And I have to be inside some days. Beyond that, the days are the same.

Our kids are asking me every day, about you coming home. And I’m telling them, that one day, you’ll be here surprising them. Olivia has found a wounded cat near the house, and of course she took it with her inside. She has named it Bob, after your brother. She is getting so grown-up in her personality. Some days ago, she actually said that I had to stop worry about you all the time, because it will not do any good. That I just had to respect that you were down there. Ben is playing soldiers with some rocks. And the Captain of his team is of course you. You are the big hero you know. He is getting more and more like you. In some days he will be 5 years old. He is counting the days now, and can't wait to be one year older. So we’re all fine.

I hope to hear from you soon. Lots of love. Mary.