Windsheim. 27 May 1925

My Dear Hans,

Received your letter of May 3 and your card of May 11. We are all glad to hear you are doing well. Your work will be rigorous, but I don’t think you will have to do this hard work too long. I think and hope that you will soon be able to tell us about a promotion to a better paid and easier job. Just be good and hardworking and cooperative. Convey our best regards to your supervisor.

You wrote that Uncle would like you to become an American citizen, and you asked my opinion. My dear Hans, this is something you must decide for yourself. I don’t think it would be to your advantage. I think you would know if doing this will prevent you from coming back to Germany. I doubt that, since Americans can still travel to Germany and back again. So, do what you think is best for you. How is Uncle?

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Our garden is beautiful again. I have a 5 meter long hose connected to the water pipe and attached a sprinkler. I can spray the whole garden with it. I sent away for some flower bulbs from Holland and have received most of them. It will be nice once they bloom. We won’t get many apples or pears this year, but there are more plums and cherries.

There is no news from Schwabach or Windsheim. Here, things are as usual. Hanna is bedridden. I have lost all hope for a recovery.

I hope you are well, as do we all. All the best,

Your Father

Kind regards to uncle and all of his relatives. In my next letter, I will tell you about a well-trained German Shepherd.

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My Dear Hans,

I was very happy to get your two letters and to hear you are well, because if more than 4 weeks passes before I hear from you, I get very anxious because when someone is so far away I start to have a lot of worries. You are in my thoughts every hour of every day. You think we will see each other again in 5 years. It is a long time, but if it is God’s will, I look forward to seeing you again. I know you can’t take such a long trip very often. Dear Hans, have you discussed with Uncle how you will pay him back for your trip costs? I am sorry that you must work so hard, but know that things will get better and you will earn more money. I will be happy when you become an American millionaire. Then things will be better for us. I would be able to visit you and organize your things, polish your eyeglasses and comb your hair. Things are the same here. Hanna is not doing well. When the weather is nice she lays on a sofa in the garden. I am writing this letter on Sunday in the kitchen

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and it is now 3:30 and I must get ready for the food delivery. We have 11 men today. Hanna is in bed in her room. Philipp is making a buzzer in the kitchen that Hanna can ring when she needs something. Last week the painter was here in the kitchen and we also had our furniture painted. It is looking good again. We had a prisoner do the painting. It was so nice when you were still here at home, because Philipp is not so agreeable. We bought 6 geese this year but cannot afford to gat a hog. We have not yet had our photograph taken. Hard to do because Hanna is bedridden. Next Sunday I will go by myself if Papa does not go along, because I want to fulfill your wish. Be good and decent dear Hans, and don’t forget your God, and then no ill will befall you. Where did you plan your trip today? Just be careful that nothing happens to you. Now I send you very warm greetings. Your Mama