Speaking to family members or friends in a foreign country is rather easy and simple today. But before the days of phones and the Internet, it was not that easy. People just sent a letter and waited for a reply for weeks. And it was a lot harder if they couldn't read or write.↵
This letter shows how people got over these difficulties. It was written in 1973 by a woman whose husband was far away. She lived in Sicily, an Italian island, while her husband worked in Germany. At the time, more than 5% of the people in Italy could not read or write, and she was one of them. This letter was discovered by Sicilian writer Gesualdo Bufalino.↵
Here's how he translated the pictures into words.↵
My dear love, I miss you so much, and I reach my arms out toward you, together with our three kids. We are all in good health except for the little one. He's a little sick, but not seriously.↵
I already sent you a letter, but there was no reply, so I am sad about it. If I got a letter from you, I would be very happy. Your mother fell ill and I'm going to visit her in the hospital with some money and food. I'll go there with our middle son while the oldest looks after the youngest.↵
I had two workers prepare our field and plant seeds for 150,000 lire. I voted for the DC. The PCI lost so many seats that it almost seems dead. But whether one or the other wins, it's the same. Nothing changes for us poor people. We worked yesterday, and we will work again tomorrow.↵
We picked lots of olives from our olive trees this year. I hired a man whose sons are good workers. He knocked the olives down, and his two sons helped him, picking them up from the ground. I paid him 27,000 lire for the work. I spent 12,000 more for the olive press. I got enough oil to fill a large pot and a small one. I can sell it at a price of 1,300 lire a liter.↵
My love, my heart thinks of you as Christmas is coming. I would be so happy if you were with me. We all miss you so muc↵
I'm sending you a big hug from me and our three little kids. Goodbye, dear love. My heart is yours, joined to you as our two rings are.