Letter from Olga Angerer to Marie Schiele, 29th Nov. 1918

Transcription:

29th Nov.18.

Dear Marie!
The days
and weeks fly by
and it is impossible
to grasp that these young
creatures with a right to live
should no longer be.
Your daughter-in-law,
your son and poor Claire,
taken away in the prime
of their life. I fully
understand that you have
no desire to see people,

nor to visit anyone, all of that
one avoids when one’s heart
and mind are aching so.
But remember that he has not
died but has merely gone
before us on the dark path
we all must take. –
I know, one asks: Why?
What for? This soon? But only a
fool expects an answer! –
All tears are in vain,
those one would love
to have back will never
return and one has to
bear it but do not ask
how! –

Believe me, I feel for you,
after all I too buried all my
happiness years ago when
I lost my child and my husband. –
The lonely heart pants through days
and years; once age approaches
one becomes more composed,
calmer, because one knows
it will not take so long now
until everything is over. You must
find all your future happiness
in having two kind and
beautiful daughters and in
your grandchildren and
slowly but surely let the cloak
of oblivion

drape itself over the past
so you can once more become
the young, pretty Maman you
always were. One can
bear so much, survive so much
and finally live only
in – memories, but you have
a long way to go yet. So, be
strong and bear your fate
with dignity. I will be glad
of your visits anytime.
Many regards to beautiful Mela.
Let me assure you that I feel deeply for you,
sincerely,
your cousin
Olga