Letter from Ella Shipman Bowry to Hazel Shipman, June 16, 1924

Burkeville, Va. June 16, 1924.

Dear Hazel, How my heart has ached for you these past days for I know so well what it means to go back to an empty house. How empty it does seem to us without the dear one!

I have prayed that His grace might be sufficient for you. How wonderfully He did sustain you through those dreadfully trying days in Salem.

Then you have your children to live and plan for which will keep you busy all the time. How I wish I might help you in some way, but I know we have to fight these

battles for ourselves & in His strength.

I am so glad, for the sake of the children, & for your own sake, that you are going to wear light mourning. How hard I have tried to get away from black, but I have worn it so long it seems impossible, yet to open your closet door & see everything black is so depressing. Do wear white at home all the time.

I shall always love you. First because "Billy" did, then because of your dear, brave self.

I was so glad to know your brother and sister. What a comfort it must have been to you to have them with you.

Perhaps Louise wrote you that Ella (Mrs. Shipman) took Dorothy to Richmond Saturday to have her tonsils taken out. Will (my brother) phoned us that night that she was getting on finely. She will be home this afternoon, much to our delight.

Love for yourself and the children.

Affectionately, Ella Shipman Bowry.