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Note: We have a handwritten letter written from Brooklyn, USA, in December 1917 [during World War I] by Gudrun to her Aunt, Sigrid (nee Hammarberg) Simonson, then living in Lac Du Bonnet, Manitoba. It is written in Swedish, and has been translated as follows:
"Dear Aunt! I had decided not to write another letter before I got an answer from the first letter I wrote the first week after I arrived here. Later I wrote a letter to Uncle Olof as well, but I have not got any answers from you or him. Have you got gout, coughing croup, mouth and hoof disease or have your brains frozen in your heads. Well I don't know the reason, but I have not seen such 'quiet' folks as you in my life. I know that letter writing is not a fun activity for all, but during this time of warfare when we at home have no weapons, I'll try to fight with my pen. I wish my pen was strong enough to challenge all the warmongers, stand up for my right to stop the war, tear down forts and walls, smash the canons and guns. Make the world to swear their "faults off', although it takes courage to admit ones faults. The oath would be as follows: Never be anyones enemy. Never kill or destroy anybodys life and house. Never shall the war's destructions drown the world in blood. We will help one another to clean up what we destroyed and get rid of all bad feelings toward one another. In this way a seed would be planted for our children, to stop poisoning their souls as we were poisoned by our fathers wars. Not by hate and retaliation, but with a stand for all people's wellfare, in world peace forever. This we have decided, men and every race and nation. Never will we forget this oath, forever. Amen.
I am not a prophet, so I can't see when this oath will be signed, probably not in my lifetime. However, it would be great to have an oath like the one above. I believe we are judged to live and die while the world keeps on being bad, though I can't complain as it has interesting moments as well. This is how it looks like from this corner of the world [in Brooklyn, USA]: People are nearly out of their mind, as salt and sugar are getting lower and lower in the bins. The stores are nearly empty, and if they have something to sell only the old consumers may shop. In Brooklyn, with a family of 3 - 4 persons, one gets only one pound of sugar per week (using their sugar rations card). Salt is sold in 1/2 pound portions. So, I think you can imagine the taste of unsalted porridge, potatoes, etc. Matches are another item that is hard to find in the stores, so we might have to go back to our forefathers way to make fire. I have a feeling that one will hear a few new morning prayhers when the cooks build the fires in the stoves, to cook breakfast. If I can't get a fire going within an hour, I'll go back to to bed. I have enough to eat, but very little to do. Once the war is over, I'll probably be busy again. If you don't plan to answer this letter either, please return it without reading it, because it would hurt my soul to know you got this outstanding letter without "paying" for it. So write only if you wish to stay friends with me.
Wishes to you all. Your ?? Gudrun"
Our grandmother, Gudrun Olga Myland Simonson (later Olga Nickle), visited with Gudrun and Gudrnun's sister Sigrid in Sweden in 1956. See the 1956 letter from our grandmother from Sweden to the extended Nickle and Simonson family in Canada.
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