I found this letter in a box of papers and photograph at Grandmother Evelyn Brooks’ house. It was written by her mother Christine Curry after Alzheimer’s had started. Evelyn has told how she begged to get in the car and go see her mother. They would put her in the car and drive her out to her childhood home and show her the cemetery where her mother was buried. This letter must have been written about 1990. I transcribed it as well as I could and changed very little. I feel weird when I’m reading, like I’m hearing a ghost. I can hear her voice in my head.
Dear Mother, (written to her mother whom we called Mother Harris)
I’ve thought about writing to you all but never get started. I never get started. Wish I could get started. Wish I could get started if if I don’t have much to write. I’ve been sick about two months and not about to I can to write. All keeps us from writing. I hope it will soon be well and can go anywhere. I can sit in a car but have not ride anywhere. I cannot ride anywhere. I hope all of you are well and able to go anywhere. I have not seen none of the children. Two of the boys they got out of the car when we got here and Jackie hasn’t been here a time so I see we haven’t see her. I see we. I can’t write so that is the reason we don’t write.
Hope all of you are well.
I’m busy keeping house and doing all the work. Except what little Daddy does. He is busy helping me cooking what I can and what I help me cooking what little I can and what little I do.
I sure do get a little done. The church is not doing much good. I we have had a bag.
I hope every one will soon be well. Then it will keep up with the church services. We have _______ lots of cold weather.
I want to go every where to church when I can. I stay in bed all the time. I want to stay well in bed. I think I can--We have to get better when I stay in bed. I wish you would come to see us when you can. I don’t know any news it is hard to get and remember things.
Which I can see all of you.
Must close and get supper. Wich I can get you supper all the time.
Write me some time when you can write. Love-- Sister (Christine Curry)
P.S. I would. I wish I’d stayed
I know this 1030 I could call Carl.
I love you and I wish I could see you.