A Letter To a Son

Now,the pumpkin is ripe, we're only a few days from the year's first mealie cob. The cows are giving us lots of milk, taken in the round it isn't a bad year at all- if it weren't for your father. Your father's back is back again and all the work has fallen on my shoulders, your little siblings are doing fine at school, only Linda's becoming a problem. You'll remember we wrote you-did you get our letter? -you didn't answer-you see,since your father's back started, we haven't been able to raise enough to send Linda to school, she spends most of the time crying alone; it's mainly because because of her that I'm writing this letter. I had thought you would be with us last xmas, then I thought maybe you were busy and you'll make it at easter- it was then your father nearly left us son, then I thought I would come to see you soon before the cold season sets in- you know how I hate that time of year-but then your father went down again and this time,worse than any other time before. We were begginng to think he would never see another sowing season. I asked your sister Linda to write you,but your father wouldn't agree -you know how stubborn he is when he has to lie in bed all day or,gets one of those ***** notions of his that everybody is deserting him! Although we had to borrow a little from those who have it to treat your father,and you know how he hates borrowing! That's all I want to say. I do hope you would be with us soon. It's so long ago since we saw you last, -I hope this letter finds you still at the old address, the only address we know.