ChickenBones: A Journal

for  Literary & Artistic African-American  Themes

   

Home  

Google
 

Letters of an Abiding Faith:

Legacy of a Slave's GrandDaughter to her Son

written by Ella Lewis to her Son (Rudolph Lewis)

 

  

Letter 7

June 3, 1978

 

Dear Son,

Please Excuse me For not riten Before now. But I Been had a lot on my mind. Just Couldn't get to rite. I receive Both of your letters. Some glade to hear From you and know you doing OK. Dont think I have For got you. I never do that. I haven't been Feeling So good and trying to work. As you know I not young any more.

I glade you Finding your Way out So you can graduate. I am praying for you. Bunk told me she talk to you. Lucinda and her Family was down for memorial day. I enjoyed them altho I had to work.

As you know 12 months ago I was in the hospital. But God has Been good to me. I still able to get about. So dont you forget to pray. It Some hot down here. We had a Storm to day which is Saturday June 2.

Your Cousin Mary and Peanut and Pumpkin was down to last Week.* Kenny Taylor is home with his Korean wife. Brenda Stith getting married next month.** If you are coming for 4th July let me know. Your Baby sister Theresa have fell in love with a service man one of Peter's friends. His home is in Norfolk Va. But he goes over sea last of the Month.

Well you take good Care of your self. And dont get married on me again. Smile. My garden is out pretty. And dont forget to rite me often as you can let me know how you are doing. I going try to rite more often.

PS all send their love to you. Listen Doc talking about school, if I were you when I graduate I stop and get a good job. Because you got Enough to take you through. Because Son, all you dont get when you are young, just forget when you get old you cant. I am a witness to that. I hope you under stand what I mean.

I hoping and praying for you But dont forget to pray for your self. So take all mistakes for love and Bad hand riten for Kisses From mom. I am a poor riter. So you rite me.

Much love From Your Mother Who love you, rite me Soon

 

 
 

 Commentary

*Mary Atkins, granddaughter of Malvina Jackson Atkins (born a slave in 1850 in North Carolina), was the grandmother of Peanut and Pumpkin. Though I knew Mary, I do recall meeting her grandchildren

**Brenda was the daughter of Millard Stith, a deacon of Jerusalem and son of Joe Dick Stith who was a great Negro landowner in Jarratt. Brenda and I had attended Creath and Central High together. I was very fond of her. She, however, cared more for my cousin Norman. Brenda was one of the daughters of Florence Wyche Stith, the sister of Edler Wyche, the man my mother claimed was my father, though at his death his sisters claimed he died without issue. Brenda may or may not be my cousin. But the idea that she might have been was one of the reasons I did not pursue her for intimacy, though I like her well enough.

 

Home AFLTable  Rudy's Page