Life During the Depression Dearest

Life During the Depression

Dearest Vinny,

My condolences to your family and have hope that things will be better. Trust me, have faith in the church and know in your heart of hearts that there is a light at the end of this crisis. The family here is doing pretty well given the circumstance. We are all trying to do the best with what we are given, which isn't much. Italy was hit very hard with the depression. Banks are shutting down and luckily we didn't trust the government enough to put our money there so no loss. However, we are going through the savings pretty fast for we have a number of mouths to feed. There are talks of a Fascist government and this Mussolini but what do I know, I'm a simple women. Uncle Sal and Aunt Claudia are doing well, a fight here and there but what can you do, things are just so stressful. Grandpa Joe and grandma Angie are getting along so it mean they aren't talking to each other much but let's be honest, they haven't been very communicative as they are growing older. Your uncle and my husband Frank are getting along because I know it's not the time to nag about money! Everybody is poor! But I just wish he would be more active in finding a job instead of complaining and having dreams of what could be in the future. I get that it's important to have hopes and dreams but they aren't worth anything if you're not building a nest egg now! The four kids are doing okay. They are lovely but they are rascals and given their young age of 2, 4, 5, and 7, they are definitely a handful. They are always running around, always hungry and always wonder why papa is always too tired to play. They want new clothes and I tell them we don't have any money but they just scream louder. There was a heavy rain a couple days ago, and there is a small leak in our roof but we are saving money so we can't get it fixed. Also, the workers are overcharging us for the work! It is like highway robbery! It is unbelievable!

I am trying to work here and there, making a little, not a lot to help the family. I am sewing little things like ripped clothes, cleaning for others, cooking, and baking but other people in the village are tight on money, too. We want to move but that will require a lot of money but we want to move where Frank may find a better job. We will see. Sometimes Frank will take the eldest, Lorenzo to the city when he finds work. He hopes the bosses will see he has child and will give him a job but that has not happened. Frank is too picky. He will not travel too far for work but he won't work if he has to get his hands too dirty. He won't work if he does not have time to relax and have his coffee. He does not know the reality of the situation! I only complain to you and not to my husband because we will yell and whom will that help? Nobody! To pass the time at night, sometimes Frank and I will take a walk like we used to when we were young, before the kids. I constantly hear the neighbors yelling at each other. They are a lovely young couple but these are trying times and the husband has a short temper while she says what is on her mind. The village has had to pull them apart several times! There is enough entertainment sometimes to forget how hard it has become. I can't write anymore, the oil is burning out for my lamp, Frank just got home, and I need to warm up some soup for him. Tell the family I love them and I miss them, and hope we will be reunited soon! Send them my regards.