In France
2 May 1916
My dear Father
You need no telling how great my sorrow is. And I, like all your children, should like to lighten the blow that has fallen on you even more heavily than on us. And God knows that that is heavy enough. It is hard to be away from home now. Our place is with you on Thursday and yet we are held away. Be very sure that if thought can overcome space, I shall be very near when she is laid to rest.
I shall never cease to be thankful that I not only loved my dear Mother as she loved me, but that also, ever since I have been old enough fully to understand, I realised what she had been to and what she had done for me and for all of us. There was none like her for goodness and gentleness and understanding.
Although she has gone from us we have not lost her. The spirit of her life remains with us and orders all our goings. And we have for her most surely and with no shadow of doubt the sure and certain hope of a joyful resurrection. I find much comfort in that. May you do the same.
I am, my dear Father, your very loving son
George
