Letters from Lida

My dearests!

Dorechka, you are surprised why I did not write you so much lately. Everything goes the way that I just could not find a time. I do not feel particularly good all the time. My glands are enlarged somewhat, and I‘m just not in the mood <to write a letter>. I would stay the whole summer in Noveselno (1) this year <to rest>, but you know that I can’t leave Mama and Papa for the whole summer. In addition, I have to go help Lisa with her baths <a popular way to improve someone’s health at that time>. I ‘m thinking of taking Gitele with me and go to Lisa for a month. Gitele also needs to improve her health, and me too, so we all will meet in Druskeniki (2). Probably, I also will take baths if it;’s not too expensive. May God make peace in Palestine. How do the Arabs feel about everything what is going on? Everything is the same at home. Shayna (3) feels much better and today she left for Novoselno for a couple of months. Fanechka, how are you? How is your life? How are you doing? Your X is just a beauty in the picture, is she like that in real life too? How is she getting along with Dorochka? Why does she write us so little? When two weeks pass without a letter, Mama sees her coming home in her dreams. Write us, Fanechka, how do you live, how is Dorochka? She writes almost nothing about herself. With loving kisses, Loving Frida.

Dear children!

Last Sunday I did not write you because I did not have any time at all. At that time Robert came from America. Revekka and Moisey came from Novosilno to meet him <at the railroad station?>. That night they all came to us for supper and I was so busy the whole day that I could find a time to write you a letter. On Tuesday, everybody went to Novoselno. Shayna left for Novoselno this morning. Frida and Gitele are leaving for Grodno on Tuesday, so they can go to Druskeniki with Lisa. From the 1^st day of this month we have a girl to assist in the store, although she is doing everything very slowly, he will gain experience, and most importantly, she is honest. Papa is not going anywhere yet because of the store. Lately, there were some sales but tomorrow is the start of the harvest and most likely, sales will be slow and Papa will be able to go somewhere <for vacation>. A few days ago, Snovsky’s son came, the one’s who lives on our street. Papa met him and he said that he saw you, Dorechka. Is it true and do you know him? Fanechka, how is your life? How are you doing? Everyday I am anxiously waiting for the newspaper to learn what is going on over there. Heartfelt regards to you from all the family. Kissing you with love, your loving mama, Revekka.

(1) Novoselno: unidentified locality
(2) Druskeninkai: spa town now in Lithuania
(3) Shayna Pupko nee Mirsky, wife of Fanya & Dora’s cousin Abraham Pupko

Letters from Lida - 63