Dear Son:

Just a few lines to let you know that I’m still alive. I’m writing this slowly because I know you are a slow reader.

You won't know the house when you come home – we moved. I can’t send you the address as the last Finnish family who lived here took the numbers with them so they would not have to change their address.

About your father, he has a lovely job. He has 500 men under him. He is cutting grass at the cemetery. There is a washing machine in this house where we moved. It isn’t working too good. Last week I put four shirts in it, pulled the chain, and haven’t seen them since. Your sister Saima had a baby this morning. I haven’t found out if it is a boy or girl so I cant tell you if you are an aunt or an uncle.

Your Aunt Helvi gave up the birth control pills when your Uncle Toivo bought a condominium. Your uncle Arvo drowned last week in a vat of whiskey at the brewery. Some of his fellow workers dived to save him, but he fought them off bravely. We had the body cremated, and it took three days to put out the fire.

Your father did not have too much to drink over Christmas. I put a bottle of castor oil in his beer and it kept him going until New Years Day.

It rained only twice last week, first for three days and then for four days. Monday the wind was so bad one of the chickens laid the same egg four times.

We had a letter from the undertaker. He said if the last installment paid on grandma Heikkala's funeral wasn’t paid in seven days up she comes.

Remember your friend Eino? Well he’s no longer in this world. His father died and wanted to be buried at sea. Poor Eino drowned digging his grave.

Your loving mother,

Ma Pakkononen

P.S. I was going to send you money but I already sealed the envelope.