Dear son, 

Just a few lines to let you know that I am still alive. I am writing this letter slowly because I know you can’t read fast. You won’t know the house when you come home; we have moved.

About your father; He has a lovely job. He has 500 men under him. He is cutting grass at the cemetery.

There was a washing machine in the new house when we moved in, but it isn’t working to good. Last week, I put 14 shirts in to it, pulled the chain and I haven’t seen the shirts since.

Your sister Mary had a baby this morning. I haven’t found out if it’s a boy or girl, so I don’t know if you are an Aunt or Uncle.

Your Uncle Tom drown last week in a vat of whiskey. Some of his co-workers dived into save him, but he fought them bravely: We cremated the body, and it took 3 days to put the fire out.

Your Father didn’t have much to drink at Christmas. I put a bottle of castor oil in his pint of beer. It kept him going till New Years Day.

I went to the doctor on Thursday and your Father came with me. The doctor put a small tube in my mouth and told me not to open it for 10 minutes. Your Father offered to buy it from him.

It only rained twice this week, first for 3 days then for 4 days. Monday it was so windy, one of our chickens laid the same egg four times.

We received a letter yesterday from the undertaker. He said if the last installment wasn’t paid on your grandmother within seven days up she comes.

Your loving Mother,

P.S. I was going to send you $10.00 but I had already sealed the envelope.