Abiding Faith -- Letter 2

Letters of an Abiding Faith:

Legacy of a Slave's GrandDaughter to her Son

written by Ella Lewis to her Son (Rudolph Lewis)

Letter 2

February 26, 1976

My dear Son,

I received your sweet letter. I sorry if Bunk said Something to upset you.* But I was sick that day. She wrote that letter Doc you know. You are my Son no matter what no Body Say. I love you and you know that. Because I try to do Every thing you ask me to. Haven't I raise you from 3 months old. You just like my own child. Altho I diden give birth to you. But it no different in my Book. You are my son.**

I glade to hear from you any time. Please dont feel that way Because Mother love you. Doc dont wary. If I live you get your share of my land.* Of course your daddy place never was changed.* So nothing I can do about that. I sorry you feel that way. But nothing have changed with me. You can believe that. Doc without a doubt you know I love you. I own you as my son, no grand Son.*

I got to go to the doctor tomorrow. I having a little female trouble. I rite you and tell you what the Doctor Say.

So from now on I rite you for my self. I realize you cant get up and come when you want. As long as I can keep in touch with you. I know you got to work and go to school, too. Because Lucinda can rite often I always ask her about you. So whether you rite or not I still keep in touch with you.

I don't care what any one of them say I know where I and you stand. Just over look that. Please just think of the happy time we had together. So Bye now. Love to your girl friend.

From your Mother

to my Son Rudolph

much love

* * * * *

Commentary

Ella’s youngest daughter Annie, called "Bunk," wrote the letter. Some of the sentiments were Annie’s though the letter was signed "Mother." It felt a bit awkward. **I was raised as a son and Mama thought she had adopted me. But at Daddy’s death, in the mourning line, Norman, my cousin, raised questions about the legality of my status, whether I was indeed a son, or merely a grandson. When Mama retrieved the "adoption" papers, it was discovered that they were papers that officially only changed my surname to Lewis. So I had no legal status with respect to Daddy’s property.

This situation of inheritance is a recurring theme throughout the letters. Daddy died without will and thus the house and land devolved to his daughters rather than his wife Ella. I raised the point of "intent" but some refused to recognize that argument. Mama also owned land inherited from her father TeeJay and also from her mother Laura (see Introduction). Mama’s nickname for me was "Doc"; like a doctor I was "slow in coming." This signification I only learned a few years ago at a family reunion. I had believed for years that it meant I was as smart as a doctor. Misunderstanding can sometimes be as important as knowledge in shaping character and destiny.