Margaret C. Osgood to Erskine Childers, 11th May [between approximately 1912-1918]. IE TCD MS 7867/69

Digitised version of IE TCD MS 7867/69, a letter written by Margaret C. Osgood, Tahanto Farm, Harvard, Massachusetts, United States to her son-in-law Erskine Childers, 11th May (year not identified, but between approximately 1912-1918): "Darling Erskine, How I love to get your letters! You don't know what it is to me, to be included in your "wedding ring". Your nature is so akin to mine. You are such an affinity of mine that it seems quite natural to be included. With the best of wills, one cannot always get such love and tenderness as you give. It seems like a sort of benediction, and my old age can now be desolate or wretched, while you & Molly & Grete & Bob live. Old age is a sort of terrible thing, I don't think many people really love old people. They tolerate them, and are kind, I wish I could be young again. I would take such pains to make old people happy. I am going to Framingham. I am here at Framingham for the night. Sumner Alice & I have been sitting before the fire talkng of you & Molly, and your inspiring life together. We are not all allowed to have such blessings, but it is a joy to me to look on & see the warmth of it. I heard some one say the others day (not to me I overheard it), speaking of a woman of my age, "A woman of that age is useless. She's disappearing". I told Sumner last night, that no one is ever warned, one never knows about life ahead. I never knew about the pains of child birth nor the discomforts & trials of a certain time of life, nor what the death of a husband would be, nor the breaking up of home life, my own home, my own friends. I never realised what old age would be. Life, to me, is a terrible puzzle. I wish I could be struck by lightning or something like that, and go out suddenly. Your letters are so dear about Marjorie. Grete thinks you have been dear to her, and what a rare thing it is, to have had you & Molly for a month. Did I tell you that Hervey Wetzel will be in London June 2d. I think you will like him. I see the lawyer about making over 235 Marlboro St to you. I have been reading old letters. They are too sad, perhaps, where is the old Maggie, with all the joy & happiness. I have been reading over this letter & find it gloomy. Shall I send it on, and tell you that I adore & love you all with my whole heart & soul?" Margaret Cushing Pearmain Osgood (1847-1941), was an American writer and poet, mother to writer and nationalist Mary ('Molly') Alden Childers who was married to Erskine Childers, and the maternal grandmother of Erskine Hamilton Childers (1905-1974) who became the fourth President of Ireland 1973-1974.