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Date: September 6th 1918
To
Margaret
From
Lillian
Read by:

Sheila McCarthy

Reader Statement
Reader Statement
As the years tick by quicker than ever it seems the importance of preserving our Canadian past becomes more and more important. Generations of the future need to hear our stories of the past as the last war veterans come to the ends of their lives and aren't around to share their experiences anymore. What better way to keepsake our stories then by reading the beautiful letters written so long ago by the seemingly ordinary wife to her soldier husband? Or from the mother to her son so far away in the trenches? The ordinary becomes extraordinary when we hear their day to day goings on set against the dramatic backdrop of the war. The mundane news in these letters takes on a whole new and extremely moving testament to the time. It is crucial we hear these beautiful letters and treasure them. They reveal so much about who we were and who we are now. Reading these letters was a very emotional experience for me. I was honoured to take part in this wonderful preservation of moments in time we should never forget.
Reader Bio
Sheila McCarthy is an acclaimed Canadian stage, film, and television who in her ongoing career has won two Gemini Awards, two Genie Awards, and two Dora Awards.
Letter

Milverton, Ont.
Sept 6, 1918

My Dear Margaret:

I just had a letter from Ethel telling me of your friend's death. Is it during the past few days?

You poor girl. I know you will bear it bravely as one of thousands but the heart will ache and the tears will fall.

Some appear to pity mothers most; I don't believe the deepest love is mother and son. I do not believe a son ever gives his mother the place his sweetheart has. To lose them seems to be the crushing of all hopes; the fading of all dreams; the elimination of part of one's self.

I need not assure you of my sympathy.

Through the clouds the sun must shine again; life will by and by assume new aims and find new duties.

I am,
Ever your loving friend
Lillian

Original Scans

Original Scans