My darling beloved, how are you? We are all well, walk much in the yard, and have a little hill down which we can slide. There is much frost these days so Mama sits at home. You will probably get this in February, so I congratulate you on your name day. God help you in future and bless you. We always remember and speak of you. May God guard all your ways. Don't be sad, dear. All will be well, and we shall be together again. I kiss you tenderly.
We finished celebrating Anastasia's birthday with church services at 12 o'clock. During the day we worked on the hill and chopped up some firewood. After tea we held rehearsal.
My darling and dear: Thank you tenderly for your little gift. It was so nice to have it, reminding me especially of you. We remember and speak of you often, and in our prayers, we are always together. The little dog you gave is always with us and is very nice. We have arranged our rooms comfortably and all four live together. See more
My dear Katya!
I am sending you a view of the Governor’s House. On this balcony, we often sat for long periods of time. Our windows face the street behind the trees on the corner.
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Three years ago Germany declared war on us; how I wish all had survived those three years! God help and save Russia. It was very hot. I took a short walk with Tatiana, MarieThird daughter of Nicholas II and Anastasia, and again a whole patrol from the Third Infantry Regiment came along. We worked in the same place as before. We cut down three trees and finished yesterday's fir tree. Now I am reading the novel by Merezhkovsky, Alexander I.
We expected that a son would be born, but the birth of a fourth girl did not, to any extent, reduce the love of her relatives to her. She was not even a year old, but she already managerd to win universal affection with her amusing manners, her cheerful character and a sonorous laugh. She really is a Shwybzick. At thirteen, Anastasia began to get fat, despite the fact that she moved a lot. In addition, she was much shorter than her sisters. See more
Anastasia turned 16 today. How quickly time flies… I am dwelling upon the past. I must think of everything more calmly. What is there to do? If the Lord sends us such hardships, then he clearly believes we are prepared to meet them. They are a test in their own way—we need to show that we have not passed through them in vain. See more
Luncheon: Cold hors d’oeuvre, risotto with bouillon, pies, baked potatoes, roast meat, salad, brandy snaps.