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Letters of an Abiding Faith:

Legacy of a Slave's GrandDaughter to her Son

written by Ella Lewis to her Son (Rudolph Lewis)

 

 

Letter 41

Aug 11, 1986

 

Dear Son,

Just a line or two let you hear from me. This leave me doing OK. Hope this may Find you OK. Sorry it took me So long to answer your letter. I been a little worried I diden feel like riten.

Bunk and Peter had an accident with Michaels Car.* But thank to God they diden have no broken Bones. But got a terrible whip lash She have to wear a Collar. It happen 2 weeks ago Today. Peter got a few scratches, hurt his back. But he Better now he in Petersburg Va now. The car was Total lost. Every Body else is OK so far. Edna Key ask about you Want to know When you was Coming home.* Say she still at her Mothers. All send love to you.

I thank you better stick with Jean. Look like she think more of you than Mona Lisa.* Child you Better get your Act together. You geting Old ha ha. I glade you like down there in Lousianni.** Because it Bad to have to stay Some Where you dont like. The weather is still hot here and dry. Temperature is 90 to 100 degrees. 98 Every day For last 3 weeks. So much For that.

Listen I asking you a personal Question. Do you have any insurance on your self. Let me Know and if So who with. Because you never told me any of your personal Business. Hope I not asking too much.

I guess I told you Michael is in Texas with Davie. Aunt Sal is not any Better. Elsie put her in a home.*** It Broke my heart But What Could I do. I not able to take Care of her.

Well I guess I have wrote Enough it 1:30 in morning. I coulden sleep so I thought I rite to you much love to you. Take Care of your self.

Love you

Mother

 

 
 

 Commentary

*Michael is Annie’s youngest son. He eventually found himself a wife in Texas, by whom he has a couple of kids. I have never got to know him nor his kids. He has not been home from Texas in a decade. His children are probably teenagers or almost teenagers. They are missing out knowing Mama, their great grandmother.

**Mama sees I have women problems. She thus pitted Ella Jean against Mona Lisa and then threw in Edna Key. I got her hint. Maybe Louisiana was not the place for me. Mama could be rather subtle in her suggestions. Edna was a classmate at Creath Elementary. She was my very first girl friend.

***Elsie was Aunt Sally’s other daughter. Laura was then dead. Of Aunt Sally’s three children only Freddie Goodwyn survives. He has the other third of TeeJay’s land. But I understand he has sold part of his inheritance, and sold it to  white buyer, without giving anyone in the family a chance to purchase it.

 

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