This is the fourth letter in the correspondence between Emma
and Gretel. For the first three letters see the preceding blogposts (15, 16, 19
November).
The original of this letter is lost. We have only an “extract
of a 6-page long letter” typed by Gretel. The elision points in the letter are
hers and indicate where she has omitted text.
Mainz, 20.11. 38
My dear Gretel, my dear child,
Thanks, many thanks for your kind
messages and offers from you and the dear children [her grandchildren,
Wolfgang b. 1908, Elsbeth b. 1911, Hannah b. 1912, and Ernst b. 1918]… So
far nothing of the package has arrived, and it is a shame if such good things
get into other people’s hands. Therefore don’t send me anything more. Nor am I
in that respect so badly off, mainly because I can’t stint on anything in the
interest of Adelheid (her maid)…. Yesterday I moved back into my living
and bedroom [a reference to the extensive damage and destruction caused by
Nazi hordes during Kristallnacht – see preceding blog postings].
Fortunately, nothing is lacking to make me comfortable – not as far as having a
bed to sleep in and a chaise longue to rest on. And there are a sufficient
number of chairs, but no more mirrors (there were 4 tall mirrors just in the
three front rooms), but it is good if one doesn’t see one’s reflection in them…
I had small repairs done to
Adelheid’s furniture (I had promised her most of the furniture for later on),
for the rest I leave everything as is in the storage room –the dining room. Tutu
[unidentified] need not fetch me, because (1) things don’t happen as
fast as you think, and (2) I can’t leave that fast because many things need to
be straightened out first. Also, the thought of coming to my grandchildren as a
poor woman is terrible. In any case, one must take along what one can and is
allowed to take – surely, they cannot deny us clothing and underwear.
It was very nice of you to send a
wire to Lilly [Emma’s older daughter] to let her know that I am unhurt,
and I am glad of it. The thought that the poor thing knows nothing of me was a
great bother to me…
Yesterday a real estate agent was
here, a former director of the savings bank. I heard from him that until 31
December the house can still be sold freely [a reference to the law which
required Jews to transfer their property to non-Jews]. Thereafter the sale
will be regulated in another form. What is your opinion?...
I send a 1000 heartfelt greetings
to all my beloved and I thank them for their kind attitude toward me.
I am very tired now, I will just
lay one game of Solitaire, then I’ll go to bed. Till we see each other again,
indeed hear each other again! And a warm greeting and kiss from your devoted
old mother, who will not lose her head – whatever happens, unless of course
they pass a law about that! Don’t laugh!
FOR MORE LETTERS SEE MY NEXT BLOGPOST. For the originals
see LBI Archives AR 7167/MF 720.The translation is by Erika Rummel
and Susi Lessing.
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