Abiding Faith Letter 45

Letters of an Abiding Faith:

Legacy of a Slave's GrandDaughter to her Son

written by Ella Lewis to her Son (Rudolph Lewis)

Letter 45

January 17, 1987*

Dear Doc,

I was so glade to hear From you and Know you was OK. I was So worried about you When you diden Come home Xmas and diden rite.

Doc dont make Excuse For I under stand how it is. You not By your self. I dont Worry about presents. I Just want to see your Smiling Face. We all had a worried Xmas But it was nice. I guess I could of Enjoyed it Better But I diden Know What was wrong with you. We all was looking For you. Big Mama have you heard from Doc, I say no. Please drop me a line let me know how you is.

Vons Gale wrecked their new Car after Xmas. No one was hurt. I had that old Flue all Xmas Still have it. Kay is Back in Petersburg. I mean Peters Kay. Have you heard From Buggy yet.* *

Times is hard and tight with Every Body. I wish you Could Get a School Some Where near. We can at least Talk and see you once in a while. But you have to do What you have to do.

Well Cleveland is getting Married in April 1987.*** Havent set the Day yet.

Listen did you get a Blank Form I sent. Why I ask they sent my money Back Say you diden pass. So I try another insurance When I go home. If you rite me in next 2 weeks I Be here remember. I love you.

Your as Ever

Mother

Commentary

*This letter was written in Baltimore at Lucinda’s house

**James "Buggy" Goodwyn, Freddie Goodwyn’s only son, and I first got to know each when I was about twelve and made my first visit to Baltimore when Lucinda was living in Cherry Hill, a government financed housing complex in the south of Baltimore. He and his sisters also came to the country for the summers. We saw each other also while at Morgan State, but we never became close. Each of us had our own way of going about things. He, along with his girl friend, visited me once when I first came to New Orleans. He too moved back to Baltimore and bought a house. We see each other now and again. Recently, he received a business degree from Morgan State University. But I didn’t get a chance to go to his graduation. I have always wished my kinfolk the best in their hopes and strivings.

***Cleveland did eventually marry Elva, who was raised in Emporia, a town ten-mile south of Jarratt. They had a daughter named Edith, named in honor of his deceased mother. The marriage, however, didn’t last. They both have nervous conditions and that doesn’t contribute very much to tolerance.