Author's Preface
Friday, 13 March 1896
I wish I could have better things to share with Sister Grace. At least I had plenty of time to draw today. My first two attempts at drawing an owl didn’t turn out very well.
Beth says I’ll be able to go back to the butcher’s shop soon. Her mother is going to stay over to help welcome the baby and help care for the child.
February 17th, 1896
Washington, Mississippi
My dear Friend,
Your letter brings happiness on an otherwise unhappy day. Young Thomas has fallen ill. The doctor says he just needs rest and will recover, but that does little to ease my worry. I can’t help but fear he may suffer the same fate as his parents. I must remember that he is a strong boy.
You and your brother both look very well. I must admit that while I also liked your long hair, I rather like it short as well. You are growing into quite a lovely young lady, and Toryn is becoming a handsome young man. It is hard to believe that I have known you for less than three years.
I’ve just now realized that you and your brother will turn 20 mere days after the start of the 20th century. I know it is still a few years away, and there is no real reason why it should be any different than any other year, but something about the year 1900 feels momentous.
I am writing to you from young Thomas’ room, and he has just asked me who I was writing to. I told him about you and your brother, and a little about the others at Saint Nicholas. It shames me that I have told him so little about my time in Scotland until now. He knew my role at the orphanage, of course, but for some reason I had kept quiet about the details of you and the other children there.
Young Thomas asked me to tell you about his favorite bird, the cardinal. Cardinals are bright red songbirds. They are quite common around here. A pair nested in our garden last spring. Young Thomas has been feeding them all year, so we see them and their children quite often. He wants to know what your favorite bird is. He reminds me of you a little in how curious he can be.
I am glad you were able to visit your parents’ graves. I know when I visit Samuel’s grave I feel as though he is looking down upon me from Heaven. God has chosen to hide Heaven from the living, but I trust in Him that my husband and your parents are watching us from above, happy to see us grow and live our lives no matter where we are.
I have never been good at drawing. You have always been very creative. I would love to see some of your drawings. I would not be surprised if photographs replace some drawings, but I don’t think they will completely replace them. Not all subjects can stay still enough to be captured in a photograph, and one can be much more creative with the imagery when drawing.
May you and your brother remain in good health. J'envoie mon amour à Montrose. I eagerly await your reply.
Your affectionate Friend,
Grace Collins
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