A Cold Summer Passion

Dear Mary,

I miss talking to you. How are you? How is Aunt Shirley? I wish you were here right now. Ever since the blockade, it’s been really calm and lifeless. Never have I had so much free time. What are you doing these days? Something productive, I hope. Anyways, today Anne and I went to town and waited for the U.S. airlifts. Today they brought a bunch of goodies for us. These people seem to know exactly what I like. They brought new pencils, school bags, notebooks, and other materials. Then, not too long after, another airlift came and delivered flour, milk, and sugar. They seem to bring food and materials almost every hour. I’m so used to seeing these aircrafts fly in and out, that I can predict when they come. I don’t know who these people are, although mother says they are American soldiers. Whoever they may be, I am so thankful. These Americans help us so much. Around Christmas last year, they brought gifts as well. It’s still so clear to me. Everyone was so joyful around this time. Gifts were passed to everyone; even mother and father received something.

Ahh. Oh, and yesterday the soldiers scolded Andy. Andy was wandering around and one of the Soviet soldiers caught him. They questioned what he was doing and why he was there. “Do you have any idea that this is government property? Child, you could be in serious trouble for being here, ya know?” He told me he darted back, in fear of getting in trouble. He was running so fast, he tripped and scraped his knee. Poor Andy.

I still don’t understand what’s going on these days. Father has tried explaining to me what is happening. He told me that the U.S. wants to stop Stalin by containment. Though I haven’t quite grasped what this means. Do you fully understand this? Maybe you know already, but it is new to me. I have a feeling this will soon come to an end. Having to write to you, and having a big wall blocking us, has truly got me thinking. Our family has lost all faith in Stalin and his communist government. We are simply waiting for all this insanity to stop and for Stalin to come to his right mind. Now, I guess, all we do is wait.


Anyways I should stop this endless writing now. How are you doing over there? I hear a cacophony of tanks moving and soldiers marching whenever I am close to the wall. But I make sure to stay out sight of the soldiers; I must not wander like Andy! I really do hope all this ends soon. I miss you so. Send all my love and don’t forget to write back.

Elizabeth