YvonneKJ

July 18th, 1852, Texas


 * My dearest sister, Gerda!**

Thank you so much for your letter, it reached me finally today. So I grabbed the pen right away. I arrived to America a couple a weeks ago, the journey was terrible! I have so bad memories from it, and I’ve chosen not to tell you about it in the letter. But I can say that I was really seasick and threw up most of the time. I also miss you and Norway so much, most of all I miss the Norwegian nature and the culture. You know back home you speak with most of the people you meet, but here in Texas most of them aren’t interested to get to know new people. They are more ignorant then Norwegian people, I think. But it might get better with time.

Anyway, congratulation so much on the wedding, finally Olav proposed to you. I know how much you wanted this to happen and I’m really sorry for not sharing your happiness. It’s also fabulous to hear that our mother is getting better. You know it was extremely hard for me to leave her when she just had a heart attack, please give her my love!

You and I have talked a lot about my husband to be, Jack, and I was of course awfully nervous about meeting him. Believe it or not, he is amazingly kind and handsome, I can’t say that I love him yet, but I can see myself happy with him. He picked me up at the train when I arrived to Texas. At first we struggled to communicate with each other, but it’s much better now. I can actually tell you that I’ve learned a few words English, isn’t that amazing?

We’ve all heard that America is so fantastic and you can achieve your dreams her, but I wouldn’t actually say. I believe you can achieve your dreams in Norway as well as in America, but that might only be my opinion since I love Norway. I think the nature in Texas is terrible, no mountains, no fjords and it’s a lot of prairie. Jack takes good care of me and makes sure that I’m feeling safe and secure. I bet you would’ve loved him and him you if you only could have the chance to meet each other. I’m hoping you and Olav will come over visit us sometime. If not, I and jack might come visit you. I haven’t talked to him much about Norway, but I’m sure that he will come along.

I will wait for another lovely letter from you my dearest sister. I miss you so much! I can’t imagine how long it will take till we are together as two sisters again. Give people my greetings and love.


 * Love, Inga!**




 * December 11th, 1969, Vietnam**


 * Dear Mother**


 * Oh mother, I’m so grateful for the package. It was so delicious to eat some American food and candy. I had to share it with the others though, but that’s OK because they shares with me to. You know the situation here in Vietnam is terrible and we soldiers have to stay friends. Some of us are actually like brothers, but you have to learn how to control your emotions, because you never know what might happen.**


 * We’ve heard some rumours about the U.S. troop are backing out from Vietnam. That would’ve been really good for us all! I have to say that I’ve doubted if what I’m fighting for is the right thing or if this whole thing is just a big mistake. You know, I’m one of the few soldiers who have been in Vietnam in three years without lying in the hospital more then a couple a days. People says that I’m pretty messed up in my head, because of all I’ve been through. I can actually say that I agree; it’s like my thoughts don’t belong to me anymore, they are controlled by the war and all the killing. As I told you earlier in the letter, you have to learn how to control your emotions, in the beginning I struggled but after a while you get so used to the killing and the death that you don’t react the way normal people would do. I would say that my feelings are destroyed and I’m afraid that when/if I’m coming home to Louisiana that I will never be the same as I was. I might have use for a psychologist when I’m back in the U.S.**


 * I’m hoping and praying to see you soon mother!**


 * Love, Kevin!**