Letter

Lettter is unsigned and undated but presumably from Mary Maria Nafus Granger during the winter or spring before her death in June of 1913.

Letter refers to "Papa" who is W.A. Granger, Ethel's "Papa."
Letter refers to "Grandma" who is Olive Marsh Granger, Ethel's grandmother, still living during this time period and residing in Nashua, Iowa.
Letter refers to Aunt Mina, Mary's sister-in-law and Ethel's aunt.
Letter refers to "Aunt Ella" or Ella Granger Tower
Letter refers to illness of Vida Granger, who died of cancer April 24, 1913

In this eight page letter Mary expresses real concern about her failing health. Read in combination with her obituary it gives one a strong impression of the course of illness which led to her death. Apparently this letter was written after her first surgery in winter or spring of 1913 Some passages follow. To see the pages of the letter, click here. Each image is a link to the next page of the letter.

"...I hope to be able to help quite a good deal by that time. I can see I am getting a little better everyday but I thought I would be stronger than I am."

"I am so weak every day almost I try to comb my hair but I just can't. I am so anxious to get my hair up again."

"Aunt Vide couldn't have got well. We haven't heard from them yet only the telegram but we knew she was no better. She had one cancer on her hip and (more) than one on the liver they say and you know I can't help but be afraid."

If only I hadn't have worked so hard all of my life or hadn't have done such hard work I can't help but hink I wouldn't be where I am now.

"Ethel it would be lovely to have you here but I know it would be pleasanter for you and all of us when I get better. I couldn't hold Harlan and to think of him wanting me to take him and I couldn't would be awful.

"I wouldn't be surprised to have Dr. Goodale tell me any day now that I had better go back. I wish I didn't have to have anything more done. I am so afraid and still I want it over with."

"My but I will be glad when I don't have to depend on hired help but I try and not worry but sometimes I can't help it. I wish sometimes I was lazy and didn't care how things were. You know they say lazy folks last the longest."

Don't let anything happen to Harlan. I think of so many places for him to fall. Don't (slap) his hands too much for it will make him naughty. I believe it will be better to take things away from him. ...We will have a sand pile for him to play in up here and something across the porch steps and he will have (?) swing."