Kenneth — 91 years ago — wrote this note to his wife and new child when all were confined to home. He was ill, so couldn’t be in the same room with them. He “mailed” it from one end of their house to the other. Ken and Gladys, Americans, were expats in Ooty, India and their home called Braemar.
Southeast Corner of Braemar
6:25 PM, to Pamela’s Mother
N.E. Corner of Braemar
Dearest Funny Baby,
You know I’d give you anything on earth you wanted, so here’s a letter since you wanted one.
But what can I say? Except that I love you, and you already know that, and besides no letter can tell you that as my lips and arms and all can.
As to what I’m thinking, my mind has been more or less of a blank the last two days. I know you and the baby are getting along alright and that’s the most important thing, and I miss you enough without thinking a lot about you and then missing you more.
The Dr. says there is nothing wrong with my lungs and I’ve had not fever today (only had 99 degrees yesterday, which is nothing for me) so I hope to be OK tomorrow. With acres of kisses and oceans of love,
Your very own, Kenneth
[Excerpt from the historical memoir Tigers, White Gloves and Cradles, coming soon. Copyright 2020, Laurie Winslow Sargent]