SaraHB

December 12th, 1855, New York

Dear Mother and Father,

I got your letter yesterday and I read it once again because I am so happy to finally hear from you! It warmed my heart when I read your letter and I am so glad everything is going fine in Norway, and I just miss you so much! I’m sorry I haven’t written this letter earlier but I have been so busy lately.

I finally arrived New York about three months ago and the journey was hard and long. It was terrible weather all the time – I was really scared that something bad might happen. The waves on the ocean were indescribable and I was very happy when we arrived because I never thought I would make it. It came something good out of it too because I got to know a whole new people that I became very good friends with. I even got to know a very nice and rich Norwegian couple that owned a big house in New York. I am going to live with them while I am looking for a good job so I can start my own life here in America. I always wanted this - This is my dream. I hope you are happy and don’t worry too much about me.

The couples names are Erik and Hanne, they are very nice and especially since they are letting me live there for free. As we have learned much about each other I feel I have been lucky to have met such as nice people as they are. Since they have lived in New York for a while now, they said that I am improving my English language. And I am very happy about that.

I love New York; it’s so much to see here. You should come and visit me sometime! All the people are friendly and very good people. I just love the city and all the nice houses and not to mention the stores.

I wish I could write a longer letter – this is just the short version of everything that has been happening to me, but I promise to write a longer letter next week. I hope I get your letter very fast, because I love hearing how you are feeling and what is happening in Norway these days.

Love, Anne

Dear Paula,
===I’ve been away about three weeks on an operation so I didn’t have the chance to write you a letter before. Words can’t describe how I miss you… I hope everything is alright and I just want to tell you that I am flying back home as soon as we are done here. I’ve got some very good friends here, and we are just like brothers. We support each other and when I say that I miss you and my family I think that I’m talking about everyone at this camp. We all talk about what we are going to do when we get back home and that we are going to survive together.===

===The weather here is not the same as home. It’s been sick! Very, and I mean very warm these days. We were being transported to some other area yesterday. I don’t know how long we are going to be here – but this is a much safer place. Don’t worry too much about me because I can handle myself. I'm learning this language ok now, but the Marines only know a few phrases like "come here," "go away," "let me see your ID," etc; but I want to learn more than this.===

===Something terrible happened last night that made me realize how much I love you and what my family means to me. A good friend of mine was killed when he went outside bringing food not so far away where we slept. I’ve been thinking a lot about this and my thoughts goes to his family. I remember he told me that he was so happy about flying back home soon so he could se his newborn daughter. I don’t know why I’m telling you this – that’s maybe the last thing you want to hear, but I just had to get it out of my chest. You are giving me force and hope and a reason to still keep fighting.===

===I dream of your hand touching mine telling me to come home. But now I have to go, a sergeant is calling my name to get here right away. I will write you a longer letter as soon as possible and I will tell you more about the situation. I hope you will receive this letter soon so you can write me back. I love you.===