I arrived in New York almost a month ago. At first, I experienced a rough start. The children and I lived in these buildings in one room and there was another family living with us. Jack and I had to go find work, while Mary and Leslie ran household chores. It has been tough since John died on the ship, having to raise the kids on my own. Finding food the first few weeks was tough and the first two weeks have been miserable.
When we decided it would be nice to move away to this dreamland known as "America," I had thought that everything would be easy. Pulling into the harbor, I saw the beauty that is America through the buildings and knew that things would get better, even without John. However, as we docked and actually got into the city, I realized that we were alone. This adjustment would be harder than I had imagined.
Leslie was out looking for a market to purchase goods in when she ran into another family from France. They immediately took us out to this building where many other French families were living and we were able to find a place to live. It is amazing, brother. People do not live in individual houses here. Instead, they live in the buildings with separate rooms and multiple homes and multiple families may share one building. I feel insecure at times, having to live in a building with families I have not grown up with. But, sadly, I feel as if I have no choice.
Jack and I were able to find work close to the building, where other French families live. Every so often, our group of French families will go out and some of the kids will put on a show to entertain the adults. One of the men may even steal a bottle of rum from the store and we will drink and enjoy, as we often did in France.
The first two weeks were difficult and I thought we would all die of starvation. But, meeting the new family, my hopes have been revived. These last two weeks have been looking hopeful and I am glad to think that even in a new country, Leslie, Mary, and Jack will get to grow up in a culture that is French. They will know, in some small way, how we grew up: putting on entertainment for the adults as they would drink and everyone was one tight knit family. But at the same time, they will live a different life in a new place and they will get to make a new life for themselves.
Yesterday, something amazing happened. This man came up to us offering us groceries and a real job for Jack! All we had to do in return, was sign our names on something, saying we will vote for this man named Tweed and he would bring us groceries once a week and Jack would have a job! How amazing is this! I do not know what the word, "vote" means, but if he is willing to help us get a life here, I will definitely "vote" for him. It seems as if God is answering my prayers and finally sending help. I've enclosed an image of Jack playing in the streets. He looks so much like his uncle, like you, and I hope you will save it.
Love, your sister,
Martha
Image of Tenements playing ball
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