JMJT
Jesus
In Carmel on December 29, 1893
My dear Uncle and my dear Aunt,
I only have a few minutes to offer you my best wishes for a happy new year. Our Mother has just told me that her letter must be delivered tomorrow morning. But I do not need much time to repeat to my dear parents the wishes that my heart forms for their happiness. I would like, if it were possible, that the new year had only consolations in store for them. But unfortunately ! the Good Lord who knows the rewards He reserves for his friends, often likes to make them gain his treasures by sacrifices. Our Blessed Mother Thérèse said, smiling at Our Lord, these words that were so true: “My God, I am not surprised that you have so few friends, you treat them so badly.”
However, even in the midst of the trials He sends, the Good Lord is filled with delicacy. The illness of my dear little Father is clear proof of this for me. This cross was the largest I could have imagined, but after having made us taste its bitterness, Our Lord came to sweeten through the hands of our dear Parents the chalice of pain that He had presented to us and that I was waiting to drink to the dregs...
O dear Uncle and dear little Aunt! if you only knew how loving and grateful your little Thérèse's heart is! I can't tell you all I would like, it's time for matins, forgive me for the disjointedness of my letter and my cat's handwriting... just look at your child's heart.
Thérèse of the Child Jesus rel.carm.ind.
Please offer Madame Fournet the most sincere wishes on behalf of her granddaughter.
