Margaret C. Osgood to Mary Alden Childers, 19th September [between approximately 1912-1918]. IE TCD MS 7867/71

Digitised version of IE TCD MS 7867/71, a letter written by Margaret C. Osgood, Tahanto Farm, Harvard, Massachusetts, United States to her daughter Mary Alden Childers, 19th September (year not identified, but between approximately 1912-1918): "Molly darling: a love letter came to me today and I shall keep it as long as I live. I needed it darling. You don't know what I have suffered these last days with you there, undergoing an operation & I here, Daddy not near, Gretchen very ill over here. I had never seen her so ill before. My face grew pale with misery. Alice said she really pitied me. It was another hard time, and I was too worn out to receive it quietly. I mean my Spirit did not understand how to adjust it all. Now you are better, my darling darling child, and Gretchen's bronchitis has gone (I couldn't sleep hearing her cough). One night when she had been sick many times & faint & so giddy she couldn't see me. I came in to the room & lay down on my bed & felt faint myself. I won't think of it any more, but be glad that all is well. I am sorry your flat is not taken. Mrs Bull telephoned "Do not keep the flat for my friend. She may want it for November Dec & Jan, but it is not certain so you must not keep it." Good night darlings. Erskine's letters are simply exquisite. He has a wonderful nature. How good the Gods were to you Molly. I was in the woods today, we had a picnic, & I thought of our picnics & Erskine's head on my shoulders & of all the wonder of it. Good night my precious children, my soul is kissing you." 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.