1910s: Anna's life as a nurse

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As Alice heads off to Del Sol Valley and rub elbows with Judith Ward, Anna is trudging on at the Emergency hospital in Glimmerbrook. Winter is hard on everyone, and spring takes its time to arrive, but the work load is hard be it winter or spring. Still, Anna is quickly falling in love with the small French community. As she writes to her parents: 

The town itself is beautiful and friendly, although almost entirely populated by women at this point. Not a single man who is not an elder or a child seems to have been spared in this war, for the only men in town are the ones working at or staying at the hospital. The town center is beautiful, however, and the women here friendly and eager to help me improve my French. I'm almost fluent by now, and can with ease shop for vegetables in the stands in town or talk to the solders we care for.


To her sister she writes in greater detail. 

Dearest Alice, 

I was so happy to receive your latest letter, and long to hear from you again. When I heard about what happened my heart almost stopped, and I feared that you'd return home. I should have known you are stronger than that, but if I carried any doubt then, I am filled with pride now. I long to see your new photos, and hear of the movies you will no doubt be making soon. 

Here life is very much the same, although I cannot wait for spring to arrive. Winter has been hard and spring late. I swear I never knew cold before coming here, and with the washing and water my hands are reddened and sore. Yet that is nothing when compared to what others are going through. There is a house, in the middle of the village, who is completely lacking a part of the wall. Yet the widow who lives there refuse to move out, insisting that this is her house. Our doctor was so impressed by her strength of character, that he has since married her. Just a simple ceremony, right here at the hospital which used to be the town church, but they are now Dr. and Mrs Phillippe and quite happy together. 

I wish I had happy stories for all the soldiers here, but unfortunately I do not. Many have not had their wounds dressed since the temporary first-aid dressings on the field, several days before arriving here. Badly infected wounds are the rule, not the exception. Not all make it, in fact many do not. There was one just the other day, just as winter gave out to spring and the snow had receded to be replaced by mud. For three hours I sat by his side and watched death creep up. They were the longest hours I have ever spent, knowing he was too far gone for me to help. At the end, he held out his hand toward mine, reaching out at the end for some touch. It almost overpowered me, that groping at the last for a human touch. I had never seen him before. He had never seen me. But we drew together in that hour, and so we stayed until his hand relaxed. 

A friend of his, who had been brought in at the same time, was also badly wounded. He was not even aware of the death, unconscious as he was in his own cot, and I had to share the news with him after he had woken up. He took the news with composure, considering. But perhaps he was in too much pain to fully take it in. He is badly scared, both in his face and on his body, yet thinks little of himself. A local to Glimmerbrook it turned out, though none of his family remain here now. He does not even know if they still live. 

At least I know that all of you are safe and sound. But do not take my tale of hardships for me not wanting to be here. One cannot be homesick when looking back is like seeing a view through the wrong end of opera-glasses, so small and insignificant. There is regeneration in knowing you can meet the worst and survive. I am happier here than I have ever been before because I am doing something where history is being made. We are doing a work into which no selfishness enters, and in which there is no restless wondering what to do next. I do have to admit I have time to miss you, my dearest sister, but I will settle for your letters until we can meet again. Write soon. 

Your loving sister, 
Anna 

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