Quarantined at ten years old, my mother was one of 9,086 reported cases of polio in the United States in 1941.  She endured four months of recovery and rehabilitation in hospital.  Through it all, she received daily letters from her Aunt Sadie, an inspiring life line to the outside world….

 

Through these letters, my Aunt Sadie taught my mother how to be a kind and good person despite adversity.  Sadie brought the outside world to that hospital room in small but significant ways.  At a time when there were no cell phones or computers, a letter every day was warm and meaningful.  I know each one brought my mother great comfort and connection.

 

May these beautiful poems and letters, written to an isolated ten-year-old girl eighty years ago, bring solace to those who are going through hard, isolating times today.