The Nurses’ Home
The General Hospital
Birmingham
Dec 24th 1914
Dearest,
The Sister in our ward has kindly given us a little time off to write letters – this concession was quite unexpected and is consequently all the more appreciated.
The nurses gave me such a hearty welcome back that it quite took the edge off the lonely feeling I might otherwise have experienced. The patients gave a little cheer when they saw me this morning which did my heart good. All this came as such a pleasant surprise and has made me happy, at least as happy as I can be without you.
I only hope dear that your Xmas will prove as nice as ours promises to be – of course we are very busy but all the same we are all in the highest of spirits. There are several services for us to attend in the Chapel tomorrow. It is so good to know we can, it will bring Xmas closer to us, to be able to hold communion with Him whose Birthday we shall be celebrating.
The Plenum seems suffocating. Everyone remarks that I look much better for the rest and change, they say I look as if I had been in the open air a lot. So those walks we have taken together have done me good.
I have’nt seen Saunders yet but hear she is off duty with a septic finger, not a very bad one though. The other nurses seem to have come to the conclusion that she is suffering from religious mania.
There is naturally not much news to give you but all the same you’ll ‘probably’ not mind getting a few lines.
Your photos are so like you that it is a real pleasure to have them in my room. I can almost feel you are here. Our week was a very happy one and has had the effect of bracing me up to meet whatever the future may hold in store. I am determined that however heavy a cross I may be called upon to carry, that I will not murmur. We shall know that we have done our duty, nothing more and nothing less and have sacrificed the very best of which we are capable and dedicated it to God’s service.
When one remembers that God sacrificed His Only Son, one should feel it a privilege that He has given us the opportunity to make a similar sacrifice. It shows that He considers human nature capable of the Divine and He will give us Divine power to bear whatever trial He may send us.
I will write soon again and give you an account of our doings here.
Thank you once again, dear, for your beautiful Xmas present, it was such a comfort to know the right time this morning!
With all my heart’s love, Beloved – God bless and keep you strong in will and health.
Ever your own
Mela.
“The hours I spent with thee, dear heart
“Are as a string of pearls to me
“I count them over every one apart,
“My Rosary.”
