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Introduction
Hello, Lovelies!
Happy Holidays to those who celebrate! A lot of this story takes place around Christmas so I figured now was the perfect time of year to share it with you. I intended to share it on Saturday, but life got busy and it slipped my mind.
This is another translated story. It was put together into a box and kept in someone’s basement until their descendent turned it over to an archival museum many years later.
These documents were particularly fun to find because there are just so many documents. Correspondence and mementos and journal pages. All of it is in Spanish (which I cannot read) but has been translated by someone at the institution mentioned before. A big thank you to them for making this story more accessible. Translations are between each document image this time.
I hope you enjoy!
Content Warnings:
- Joining the Military for Colonialism
- Drinking
Documents
[Document 1: A Letter from Rafael to Felix and Ana]
Dearest Felix and Ana,
I write to invite you to spend your Christmas in Burona. The man who owns the pub at which I work has informed me we shall be closed that day. I asked for and obtained his permission to use this space to host my dearest friends. The evening shall be spent in merriment between the five of us. Paula and Daniel shall bring baby Clara as well so you may see her again. She has grown so big it will amaze you. I trust in the next month she shall grow even more. You must come to see us at Christmas. Four months is too long to spend without seeing you.
Though we used to gather in Burona or at your home in Guadanca several times a year, these gatherings have grown infrequent. I am ashamed to say that it will be my fault that this meeting shall be our final gathering for some time.
I have decided to join the army. Shortly after we enter the new year, I will begin serving our country. I do not know for how long I will be away. I do not know if I shall return to you at all, though I will do my best to make it home. I recognize that this is important news. I apologize that it could not be given in person. However, I wanted to warn you that you may be joyous when you see me. Let us feel our sadness now that we may be happy tomorrow.
I do not wish to leave in somber. I wish to leave with celebration. We have made each other’s lives more rich in love. Let us celebrate that together as we exchange holiday gifts.
Your Friend,
Rafael
[Document 2: A Letter from Rafael to Daniela, Paula, and Clara]
Rafael
Burona, Spain
November 15, 1895
My Loves, Daniel, Paula, and baby Clara
I trust you have not forgotten my Christmas plans, as I have spoken to you about nothing else for several days. Let this letter serve as a formal invitation to join myself, Felix, and Ana at the pub for holiday celebrations.
Yours,
Rafael
[Document 3: A Letter from Daniel to Rafael]
Daniel
Burona, Spain
November 16, 1895
Rafael,
Paula has insisted both of us send you responses to affirm our attendance at your holiday party. I am shocked she does not write one for Clara as well. I do not pretend to understand the reason for these letters. I share a bed with one or both of you each night. Why can this not be said aloud between us?
Alas, at Paula’s request, I send you this. We shall attend your Christmas party. Please let us know when Felix and Ana respond as well. I am excited to see them.
Best,
Daniel
[Document 4: A Letter from Paula to Rafael]
Paula
Burona, Spain
November 16, 1895
My other heart, Rafael,
Thank you for setting this up my love! I cannot wait to be reunited with everyone I hold dear. Well, I suppose that is unfair to my family. I believe they shall be there, but merely in spirit. Though now that I consider the events which usually transpire when I am reunited with Ana I realize I ought not to wish for my late mother’s presence when I see her again.
Oh, Rafael, I shall hold you in a special place in my heart for as long as I live. I do not know what I shall do when you are away. I am not just sad that you will be away from me, but frightened by the grave nature of your duty. I trust Daniel feels much the same as I do, though he will likely not write to you about his feelings.
It saddens me that you will miss such exciting moments in the life of our Clara. She is a healthy baby and will grow in strength and ability while you are away. I hope you will return before she is old enough to remember your absence. As you well know, it is one of my heart’s deepest desires for you to be a meaningful part of her life. You must return home swiftly and well, if not for Daniel or for myself then for Clara. You must.
I shall see you at Christmas, and every day before.
With love,
Paula
[Document 5: A Letter from Felix to Rafael]
Felix
Guadanca, Spain
November 20, 1895
Rafael,
I thank you sincerely for the invitation. Ana became so excited at the thought of seeing you all again (especially Paula, who she misses most deeply) that she scarcely let me finish reading the letter aloud to her. We are saddened to hear you will leave in the new year, and we fear for your fate abroad. We care for you. Please do whatever you can to keep yourself safe despite this new journey you must embark upon.
We will miss you dearly, but we will attempt to mask this with the excitement of our holiday celebrations. This message shall serve as our acceptance of your invitation.
Felix of Guadanca
[Document 6: A Letter from Ana (written by Felix) to Rafael]
Ana, through Felix
Guadanca, Spain
November 28, 1895
Dear Paula,
Ana wanted to send you a message. I have written what she wishes to say to you:
I miss you. It has been four months since I saw you last. I have grown with child since then. I was not sure how to tell you, but I want you to know before we see each other in person. We suspect the baby will arrive early in the new year. I cannot wait to tell you more. I miss you. I do not know what other words to say. Felix says I should find a better way to say this. He says I am repeating myself. It is simple though. I miss you.
I cannot wait to see you. Please say it is Rafael’s plan to let us stay at the home you three share. Felix and I can spend an evening at a hostel, but I would much rather spend the night in your arms. Writing this has made Felix blush. I do not think he likes to write about himself. He is blushing again. I should write to you more often. It is fun to watch my husband blush.
I hope this letter finds you, Daniel, Rafael, and Clara in good health. Felix has shown me how you write her name. It is beautiful. I cannot wait to see her. I hope my child is also a girl so that they may grow together. I can feel them kick within me some days. I trust that by our Christmas gathering they will be strong enough to be felt by your hands.
I blushed at the thought of your hands upon my stomach. Felix insists on writing this down since I embarrass him.
I miss you. I wait with little patience to see you at Christmas.
Always yours,
Ana
[Document 7: A Letter from Paula to Ana]
Paula
Burona, Spain
December 5, 1895
My Ana,
I hope this letter finds you and yours well. I am overjoyed to hear of your pregnancy! My Ana! No matter what child you have, there is no doubt in my heart they will be friends with my Clara. You must send another letter to tell me how you’ve been. Though I suspect the details of that may not be appropriate for the ears of a man. Since Felix must read you your letters, I shall wait to let you tell me in person.
Oh Ana, my Ana! I miss you too! Of course, you shall spend the night at my home when you travel from Guadanca. To spend money on a hostel when you have three close friends who live within the town is absurd. You shall room with us. There are two beds between the five of us. Well, I suppose with Clara there are six of us, but she has her own cot so I am not concerned with the space she shall take up at night. You should be prepared to hear her cries at night. She is not yet settled to sleep through the night. I suppose this will be good practice for yourself and Felix.
Rafael is so excited to see you again. Does he know of your pregnancy? Perhaps if he did he would not rush so soon after the new year to enlist in the army and begin his service. It is selfish of me to say this, but I wish he would not leave. I trust the army needs him, but I feel I need him more. There are many men who can fight, but only two men I love as dearly as I love him and Daniel.
I know I should give thanks for that which I have and be proud of Rafael’s decision, but I am merely human. I am grateful for what I have, but this does not take away the pain and the fear of losing him. He does not like me to speak of this pain to him or Daniel. He thinks I will speak into existence the things which I fear. I do not hold such superstitions, and I know you do not either.
I shall save my worries and my pain for now. I hope to find time to commiserate with you when you arrive. I miss you, Ana. I shall see you soon.
With Love,
Paula
[Document 8a: A Recipe for Tortilla de Patatas]
Tortilla de Patatas
Potatoes, onion, eggs. Put sliced potatoes in olive oil. Use medium heat. Sliced onions into separate pan with olive oil until caramelized. Beat room temperature eggs. Put onions with eggs. Drain potatoes. When cooled add into other bowl. No hot potatoes with eggs. Salt. When cooled pour into pan. Cook 6-8 minutes then flip onto plate. Put back in pan. After 6-8 minutes flip out. Wait. Slice. Enjoy.
[Document 8b: A Recipe for Habas con Jamon]
Habas Con Jamon
Broad beans, Diced ham, garlic clove, half a shallot, 3 bay leaves, Chopped parsley.
Cook then peel broad beans. Peel and chop garlic and shallot. Pour olive oil into pan. Add garlic, shallots, bay leaves, and ham. Season. Fry garlic for five minutes. Add broad beans and parsley. Stir and cook 5 more minutes. Put on plate. Serve Warm.
[Document 9: A Receipt from a Local Grocer]
2 garlic cloves 1
1 ham 1.5
24 eggs 0.6
1 onion 0.4
60 grams broad beans 0.9
1 bunch of parsley 0.3
1 chalet 0.9
8 bay leaves 2.1
8 potatoes 1.2
8.9
[Document 10: An Advertisement for a Kodak Camera]
New Kodak Cameras.
“You press the button, we do the rest.”
(or you can do it yourself.)
Seven New Styles and Sizes all Loaded with Transparent Films.
For sale by Photo. Stock Dealers, Send for Catalogue.
The Eastman Company, Rochester, N. Y.
[Document 11: A Receipt for a Kodak Camera]
Ferretería de la Familia
Cámara Fotográfia “Kodak”
200
[Document 12: A Letter from Rafael to Felix and Ana]
Rafael
Burona, Spain
December 10, 1895
Dear Felix and Ana
I am excited to write that I have secured a surprise for our group. When you come for our Christmas celebration, please bring along your Sunday best. Paula has advised me to tell Anna she could wear one of her dresses if none of Ana’s fit anymore. While I am speaking of that topic, congratulations to the pair of you! I cannot wait to drink to your continued good health and that of the baby!
Best,
Rafael
[Document 13: A Todo List written by Daniel]
12-24-1895
To Do
- purchase 2 new horseshoes for the lord’s horses
- purchase eggs, onions, ham, broad beans, garlic, shallot, bay leaves, parsley, and potatoes for dinner tomorrow
- Black sewing thread and green embroidery thread
- pick up horse feed
- pick up Felix and Ana from train station
[Document 14: A Sign which says the Pub is Closed]
PUB CLOSED FOR CHRISTMAS
[Document 15: A Letter from the King to Rafael]
Rafael J. Garcia,
Thank you for volunteering your services to the royal army. You should report to Madrid for transportation to training on January 22nd, 1896.
With gratitude,
His Royal Highness King King Alfonso VIII
[Document 16: A Journal Entry Written by Rafael, Daniel, Paula, and Felix]
An Archival Note: We have tried to determine in the translation whose handwriting we believe each section is written in. This will be noted in <This style> at the start of a section
<Rafael>
I am only a little drunk. I am at the Christmas party. I will never forget this, but also I might have another drink. I need to make sure this is not forgotten, so I’m writing down everyone’s favorite part of the night.
Felix doesn’t want to answer yet. He is thinking.
Paula says her favorite part is- Oh that’s so cute. Her favorite thing is that Ana’s baby is kicking! Clara is also kicking right now, but she’s in Daniel’s arms so Paula can’t feel it.
I remember when I felt Clara kicking when Paula was pregnant. I think I got drunk that night as well cause I was happy. I think I probably cried. Maybe I will cry tonight. The night is young.
Daniel tells me the night is not young. Oh right, his favorite part of tonight is having more people to change Clara’s nappies. This is not true. He is happy to see Felix and Ana.
Haha he just read my writing and says
<Daniel>
My favorite part of this Christmas is the baby duties being spread between more people. I have not cleaned one diaper today.
<Rafael>
He is rude. I just stuck my tongue out at him. He called me a child. That is also rude.
Ana has a favorite thing. Well of course she does, but she told it to me. Ana says her favorite part of this weekend is talking to Paula which does make sense. I get to talk to Paula all the time, and it is usually one of my favorite things, and Ana also loves Paula, so it makes sense talking to Paula is one of her favorite things.
They talked alone for several hours this afternoon. I don’t know what it was about and they kept saying men weren’t allowed. They only let Daniel in because he brought in Clara for her feeding. She is a hungry baby. I’m glad.
Okay Felix has said he is ready but wants to write it down
<Felix>
My favorite part of this weekend is seeing the joy of my friends, who I now truly consider my family
<Rafael>
Okay, he has walked away and is not looking. When he was writing, I think he had tears in his eyes. He has had them there every time he looks at me. I think he is thinking about the fact that I am leaving. I am glad he has not said anything. It would upset the women and Daniel. I do not want people to be upset. I do not want to be the reason they are upset. I wish I did not feel like I had to leave to serve my country, but I have been called to do so.
Good news – just as I was about to cry over this, Paula shouted at me that her favorite part of tonight is the food. Haha, she is mad that I wrote this down. She is coming over to –
<Paula>
My favorite part of tonight is Ana
And my husbands
and my baby
And Felix
I love him too just not like I love the rest of them
<Rafael>
Ana has called Paula away. I ought to correct the record I am not the husband of Paula. I wish I were if only so she could receive my pension should I- well let me not think of that. Not tonight.
I shall rejoin the merriment now, and have another drink.
[Document 17: A Letter from Ana (Written by Felix) To Rafael]
Ana, through Felix
Guadanca, Spain
January 4, 1896
Dear Rafael,
Do not let the handwriting fool you. Felix is writing what I tell him to again. I insist you remain in Spain until after I have the baby. You must. You must not leave until you can meet the baby. We shall write to you once it is born and you can come see.
Yours,
Ana
[Document 18: A Letter from Felix to Rafael]
Felix
Guadanca, Spain
January 4, 1896
Dear Rafael,
This is truly Felix now. I want to write to repeat the request Ana has made. Her wish comes from both of us. You should know she thinks quite frequently of you. I know she speaks of you nearly every day. She loves you as a brother, Rafael. As do I. Christmas has reminded us of the joy you bring to our lives and has in ways brought more pain. We were reminded of what it is to love you and of what it will mean to lose you.
Please visit, and bring Paula if you do. Ana would like to see Paula.
Best,
Felix of Guadanca
[Document 19: A Letter from Felix to Rafael]
Felix
Guadanca, Spain
January 20, 1896
Dear Rafael,
I pray this news arrives to you before you leave. I write you this letter as a new father. Ana had the baby several hours ago. We have named her Isabel.
I know you plan to leave soon for the army. Please come here first. Please say you have the time to visit us and meet Isabel before you leave. You need not remain for long. It is but a day’s journey here and a day’s journey back.
I intend to tip the postal carrier so that this letter may reach you with great speeds.
Hurry,
Felix of Guadanca
[Document 20: A List by Daniel]
- Months since you’ve been here: 24 tallies
- Times Clara has said your name: 23
- Clara’s achievements while you were gone:
- learning to crawl
- first steps
- first word
- first horse ride (with me, not solo)
- Your favorite horse has gone through 81 horse shoes
- We went to your pub 13 times while you were gone
- We went to Guadanca to visit Felix, Ana, and Isabel 10 times
[Document 21-31: Letters from Paula]
I am providing a brief overview of these letters instead of a transcript or images. There are 10 letters that were in this collection. They were all addressed to Rafael from Paula during the time when he was serving in the Army for Spain. I’m not posting these letters because they deal with explicit material. In addition to trying to keep myself at a pg-13 rating in the stories I share here, I also feel that these add very little to their story as we see it.
The only thing of note that I found in skimming these files myself, is that Paula tells Rafael she is pregnant in one of the final letters.
[Document 32: A Letter from Rafael to Paula, Daniel, and Clara]
Rafael
Cuba
October 27, 1897
Paula, Daniel, and Clara,
I shall be home on March 15th, 1898. I have done my duty to my country and can now return to you my loves. Please inform Ana and Felix. I am allowed very few stamps. I hope this letter finds you well and quickly.
When I arrive please know, I have plans for both of you.
All my love,
Rafael
[Document 33: A Letter from Paula to Ana and Felix]
Paula
Burona, Spain
February 5, 1898
Ana and Felix
Come to Burona as soon as you can, Rafael is coming home tomorrow! He will remain home!
I apologize for the short notice. His letter was lost in the mail and took three months to arrive. I hope you can come.
Love
Paula
[Documents 34-37: Photographs]
According to the archive I found these documents in there were 4 photos in the bottom. The images were not yet uploaded, but they have catalogued the descriptions which are below:
A photo taken within a bar which has 5 adults and one baby. On the back of the photo it is labled “Navidad 1890”
A photo taken within a home where a man is holding a newborn. He is smiling at her. On the back of the photo it is labled “Conociendo a Isabel antes de la guerra” Which translates to English as “Meeting Isabel before the war”.
A photo taken within a home which has 3 adults and one young child. On the back of the photo it is labled “Volver a Casa”
A photo taken within a bar which has 5 adults and two toddlers. On the back of the photo it is labled “Mi familia”
I will keep an eye out, and if these photos are ever uploaded I’ll post them!
[Document 38: A Letter from Rafael to Felix and Ana]
Rafael
Burona, Spain
March 14, 1898
Dear Felix and Ana,
I am collecting items and memorabilia which have to do with our Christmas party and my time in service. I intend to keep these in a special box which was purchased by Daniel as a present for my return. I would greatly appreciate any letters or notes you have about that period of time. The photos on the wall do me well to remember you, but it is your words that I long to lock away. I shall pull them out on dark days and remind myself of our friendship and our love.
With love,
Rafael
Outroduction
I hope this holiday story warmed your heart as much as it warmed mine.
An early shoutout to my friend Chitra. She found the story I’m going to share with you next week. She’s the only person in the world who enjoys doing this research with me.
The first part of the next story should be out on Saturday, I’ll try to be less late this time.
Happy Holidays to those who celebrate!-098
Credits and Authors Notes
link to original tortilla patatas recipe
link to original habas con jamon recipe
I changed the text of the last letter after making the image so the translation no longer matches. Please forgive me, the text below the image is what is canon.
