AMSTERDAM
Dear Mies and Toon,
I did have a little hope, that I might receive some news via the Red Cross on my birthday. Nevertheless, I know that you were with me in your thoughts that day.
I read in the paper that London has been bombed, but it did not say exactly where. Yesterday Nijmegan, Arnham and Enschede were bombed. Nijmegan seems to have been hit pretty badly, the railway was put out of action; both the station and the lines were hit. Yes, and right on the border. It is sad that our country has also had to suffer so, and that many people have lost there lives who themselves had nothing to do with the war. Oh! Oh! what terrible times these are. Who would have thought that we would have to go through it all a second time. We are sitting here quit calmly at the moment but what will the situation be when it is all over? Will we ever see each other again?
I celebrated my birthday once again since Oom Jan's death. It is already fifteen years since he died. It was a pleasant day. I had about eighteen people calling on me, and many letters, because most of the people I know have been evacuated, and it is not possible for us to visit each other. Marie and Marianne both gave me a pair of stockings, of which I was in great need. From Arnold I got half a pound of natural butter. From a lady here, a sugar coupon, and Phientje presented me with some "kletskopjes" which she had baked herself. The priest here and the Mother Superior both came up to congratulate me.
The Mother Superior gave me a pin cushion she made herself. For the mid-day meal they gave me an extra portion of meat, and a delicious pastry for pudding. Also, Tanta Anna sent me a pastry, so I was able to entertain my guests right royally, because naturally nothing is obtainable without coupons, and one also has to provide sugar and butter. We are able to get speculaas here, which truly tastes as it did before the war, but also of course by providing the sugar and butter. We are all crazy about it, but you have to fetch it yourself there is no delivery service. So I walked all the way from the Haarlemmerdijk carrying a large box containing the tart held straight in front of me, just as if I was carrying a bowl of soup, because I had to hold it level.
Now dear Mies and Toon I hope you are in as good spirits as I am at the moment. I have absolute faith that things will come right in the end, so many people are praying for it; I am sure that one day our prayers will be answered.
As you know, Vic underwent an operation, but she remains very weak. She has boarded the dog out, it was too much for her to have to take it for a walk two or three times a day.
And so I come to an end, hoping to be able to give you good news next time. Are you all well?
Until we meet again, with a big kiss and love to everybody
from your loving Mother
