Yvonne's First Letter, Brussels

Brussels 12/20/1953

Dear Emilienne,
Dear Arthur,

It must seem strange that you've not received any news from me, since I was very pleased to have received your letter and photo. Please forgive me for not responding sooner, I realize it's not very polite, but we recently lost our dear father [Louis "Bronze," my father's uncle]. It will be one year ago the 18th of this month that he died. We had been quite distressed about his health for about a year and a half. I would travel from Brussels three times a week to care for him, and also to work the register at the cinema. I had a lot of difficulty doing thier housework, managing the cinema, and selling wine.

I was overworked and became sick from nervous exhaustion. As well, after dad's death, mother had problems with her legs, requiring me to care for her the entire year. We ended up selling the cinema, meaning Mom received 500,000 francs and 5000 francs for rent per month, which is not bad I think. She still lives next door to Octave [Yvonne's brother] and is doing much better. I am back at my place in Brussels to rest and recover. I see them every 2 weeks.

Papa was 75 when he died. He was bed ridden for 6 months when he died suddenly. He did not suffer. The husband of your sister Louise died also, as well as the husband of aunt Emilene. She still lives in Nantes.

The weather is quite cold now. I write not only to give you our news but also to ask of your news, which, I hope, is good. Mom and Octave join you in wishing you happiness and good health. Please don't think that I have forgotten you (to the contrary), and believe me that I've been unable to write. And please forgive me again for not having responed sooner. Aunt Margurite is doing very well. Aunt Alida is well too, except she can no longer see. That's all the news for now. I await your good news. Aimé and his wife give their regards. Please give my regards to little Marie, Emily and Robert. And for the two of you, I send my deepest affections.

Your Cousin,
Yvonne