Justine’s Letter Back Home To Madame Rouyer

English Translation of Justine Tibesar’s Letter

Page 1: [Letterhead: Arcade Hotel and The Tent, Miami, Florida] January 26 [1930]

My dear Madame Rouyer,

What a happy surprise for me yesterday evening upon returning to find a letter from Lopigneux. I could never thank you enough for this kindness which is truly your trademark, a thousand thanks from the bottom of my heart. It has been a long time since I wrote to you, but I think of you every day. You might be surprised that I still think of you, but my dear Madame, not a single day passes that I don’t think of Lopigneux. I spent a month there, and then I passed above Marie’s house, and I went directly down to your house recalling all the things along my way and all the kindnesses that the people of Lopigneux showed to such a young woman, a memory that will always stay with me. On Sunday afternoons, I imagine that now my brothers are at the beach and that someone is reading the newspaper, and when I come home late I console myself. Perhaps by the third month they received my letter at home and it made a good impression. Often when we go to bathe in the ocean, I become almost crazy.

Upside-Down Writing at Top of Page 1:

“Excuse the bad handwriting and the quality of this letter. Impatience…to Singapore, Justine”

Left Edge of Page 1 (vertical writing):

“When I wrote this, I was delighted [to be traveling] from Louisiana to Miami”

Page 2: If I don’t repeat myself, I am very close to home, dear friends, just think of this water that is there, and then I am here, facing this immense and terrible ocean, and I remember the boat on my journey to America, from above the blue sky, I look down at the deep sea, to the right water so vast, in front of me the ocean, and ocean for 5 days and 5 nights – it’s frightening, and fortunately the sea was exceptionally calm, the ocean was so blue, so blue that nothing could stop me from having been petrified about seasickness. Dear Almschwids [possibly a name], we went to a small island in the ocean where no one ever went, the Captain’s wife and his 2 children, myself and another companion of the expedition. We went there with a small motorized canoe, which was an appreciable help. We passed through a hedge of palms and small rivers that had crossed the water table. Since then we have eaten and taken sun baths which was very refreshing after the heat like they have at the seaside. One feels so happy to find your dear letter that I read and reread until the letters jumped before my eyes, after I held it for a good while and it did me a lot of good, and surely the sun warmed me for at least 2 days. Miami is a very pretty little town where there is plenty of wealth and chic. You can see

Page 3: You said that my little brother is becoming a strong artillery man, how I would love to see him, if only for a minute. I miss everyone, but if tears don’t come when my heart is heavy it’s because I’ve only thought about Emile. You know yourself how we were always together, even at this moment I must be going crazy with worry and pain. I have already asked 10 times for small photos of him but still nothing. I know your kindness and your exact manner – if you would kindly tell him a word about this on a future visit, that he should give you a small photo of himself, or he could send it himself. Our mother doesn’t understand love, my sadness and perhaps will believe me better if it’s not through my aunt but directly to me. I am far away and alone, and I will go further still, perhaps without ever knowing when I will return home. I will be forever grateful if you would be so kind as to do me this favor.

Page 4: And then give me a bit of news about our home and where my little sister is. I was never jealous – I don’t know if the little ones don’t receive letters or if they don’t write. And my little sister, what is she doing, and mom and dad? Well, your children are all doing well you tell me, I am happy for you and would be pleased to receive their photos. Is Thea still with you, and is the Polish woman still with us? My father hasn’t been too ill this winter, I hope, for his sake – has he changed much? How is Mat doing? I hope well. I am in good health, but a bit too heavy, not too much. Mom’s sister came to see a new doctor’s office, a rich American owner who has guided me for a 2-year journey with him, all equipped to see the world, after which he returns to his travels. It’s when he needs something he might be satisfied. I wanted to send you some cards, but I didn’t think of it. I will send you wines from different cities in my name, and I hope that you won’t forget me either. My best regards to your mother and father and a thousand kisses to your little daughter who is as charming as her mother.

Justine