Letter from Alfred E. Stearns to Thomas Sun, New Haven., Conn., January 5, 1931
Dublin Core
Title
Letter from Alfred E. Stearns to Thomas Sun, New Haven., Conn., January 5, 1931
Subject
Letter from Alfred E. Stearns to Thomas Sun, New Haven., Conn., January 5, 1931
Transcription
Dear Tommy:
I have read with keenest interest your newsy letter received this morning, but I am sorrier than I can tell you to learn of the distressing news you have had from home. Such things must happen, of course, and they do happen to all of us, but so long as we are human and with human reactions, they are bound to bring their sorrow and distress. My sympathy goes out to you and Mary in fullest measure, but I am confident that you will face these hard knocks with the courage and control which both of you have been developing so finely in recent years I fully share your feelings that it would be well to break the news slowly to Mary of the death of her sister.
Needless to say, I am distressed to learn that Mary has been ill in bed, but trust with you that she will shortly be her own good healthy self again. Undoubtedly she will be better off at work as you say than with time on her hands in which to think about her troubles. Curiously, I had already written Mary only two days ago a letter which ought to cheer her immensely, for it contained the news just transmitted to me in a letter from her father that after her graduation in June she was to arrange for a trip to Europe, which her father had earlier promised her, and then start back for China and home. Certainly China is the place where Mary ought to be, and where I am sure she can do her greatest work, for as you say, there is a large and increasing demand for nursing of the best kind in China, and Mary with her training ought to be able to offer only the best.
And so with my deep sympathy for you in your recent losses go also my very best wishes for a truly happy and satisfying New Year. I am delighted to know that you find the work increasingly interesting. The fact that it is hard won’t hurt you a bit in the end.
Ever sincerely yours,
I have read with keenest interest your newsy letter received this morning, but I am sorrier than I can tell you to learn of the distressing news you have had from home. Such things must happen, of course, and they do happen to all of us, but so long as we are human and with human reactions, they are bound to bring their sorrow and distress. My sympathy goes out to you and Mary in fullest measure, but I am confident that you will face these hard knocks with the courage and control which both of you have been developing so finely in recent years I fully share your feelings that it would be well to break the news slowly to Mary of the death of her sister.
Needless to say, I am distressed to learn that Mary has been ill in bed, but trust with you that she will shortly be her own good healthy self again. Undoubtedly she will be better off at work as you say than with time on her hands in which to think about her troubles. Curiously, I had already written Mary only two days ago a letter which ought to cheer her immensely, for it contained the news just transmitted to me in a letter from her father that after her graduation in June she was to arrange for a trip to Europe, which her father had earlier promised her, and then start back for China and home. Certainly China is the place where Mary ought to be, and where I am sure she can do her greatest work, for as you say, there is a large and increasing demand for nursing of the best kind in China, and Mary with her training ought to be able to offer only the best.
And so with my deep sympathy for you in your recent losses go also my very best wishes for a truly happy and satisfying New Year. I am delighted to know that you find the work increasingly interesting. The fact that it is hard won’t hurt you a bit in the end.
Ever sincerely yours,
Creator
Alfred E. Stearns
Publisher
Phillips Academy
Date
January 5, 1931
Rights
All Rights Reserved by Phillips Academy
Language
English
Type
Correspondence