(She typed this – I cannot recall her ever being able to type! From 47 – 6th Street, Chingola, Zambia, and we were living in Roma, Lusaka.  Gerald, my husband, worked for IBM and he is about to go overseas to Germany for six weeks training - this is my Mother’s counsel to me.

My Dear Children,

It was very nice to hear your voices over the phone, I had worried about you both until Susan phoned to let me know why you could not get through.  Dad and I are very well, both of us have been working very hard over the month of January, Dad and I lots overtime.  You did not sound so good over the phone Baby, but Gerald is trying to build a good future for you both, and one has to have it hard to have it good, never mind what other people say, you both work it out for yourselves, and go on from there, Dad and I would have done the same thing, when one is planning to bring my grandchildren into the world, I don’t want six weeks in Germany to interfere with them, you have  only been married one year and have done as much as people married in five, you must both keep up the good work, you both love and trust each other, and this little parting, though you may not believe it now Baby, will do you and Gerald the world of good in many ways, Daddy had to go and leave me and I wasn’t much older then you, to help fight a war, I never knew if he would ever come back, bout all these things had to be, Gerald must go and you may stay, and keep you little love nest together, against all odds until he returns, Gerald expects that of you, you being his number one favourite wife, no tears now Sandra when he leaves, he does all this for you and the children who I hope come after.  Dad and I are very proud of you both, and can see in the two of you, ourselves when we were young, but you two having so much more chance than Dad and I did, at the beginning, but you two are right for each other, ,that I know, some one takes care of you two up there, and in years to come you will be telling your daughters the same thing, build a solid surface Sandra, and you will walk on it together till the end, I thank God every day for the time I have had with your Dad, and hate having to lose any time away from him now, and this is how your marriage will be, I know, you are both made of the same stuff.   I hope my letter does not sound too mushy, but I woke up this morning feeling I had to try and write a few words of comfort to you, I lay thinking about you last night, here is your first big upset, but knowing my girl, she will take care of it all the same, as I would of done in her place, breeding will come to the surface when it has to.  Dad and I love you both, and you know that while Gerald is away, if anything comes up Baby, your Dad will be here to help you if he had to catch the next plane to Lusaka to you – six weeks is not long and oh Sandra, the blessed return of your man is wonderful, how would you learn about life, if all these things did not come up.       

Well Baby Girl, just a short note because I could not sleep thinking about you, now I feel a little better, having got that much off my chest, our love to Gerald and you take care and show Gerald just what a good job you can do, with him away, fight man or beast that will try to interfere with your way of life.  Typing this before church, Dad is working, and I will post in on my way out, I am on afternoon shift, helping to save for our world tour, in July 1971, see how far Dad and I look ahead, write a letter to your brother, he has a girlfriend in Cape Town, but don’t mention, or I am in trouble – no more my baby, but the makings of a young man, oh dear where did all my babies go to, I sit so alone now after having you all, still again, this is as it should be.

All our love to you both, take care Gerald while away, you are very precious, not spelt right, to us all, and need you back here safe and sound.  

As always your Mam and Dad xxxx     PS.  Forgive spelling and mistakes.