Have you been told about me, great-great-granddaughter? Did you know that I lived in Massachusetts, and was fifteen years old when the war to save the Union—what they now call the Civil War—was begun? Did you know that I loved horses and stories and longed to be a boy and once cut off all my hair to sell to send money to my father, sick in a hospital in Washington? Did you know that I was a writer and yearned to be famous for it, and for a few years was so (some fool of a fellow in Boston once wanted to put my letters into a book—I soon sent him packing) until the tastes changed with the new century, everyone forgot about me, and I found I didn’t care a fig, for my family are more important to me by far than fame? Did you know that I had three sisters, that one was taken from me far too soon and never a day passed afterward that I didn’t miss her and mourn her? All of my sisters are gone now, and so is my husband, but don’t fret for me, dearie—I know I’ll join them soon, along with my parents, and will rejoice to do so, for I’m growing tired at last.
Be a good girl, dear, and be happy. Find work that you love, for work is essential for a happy and independent life, and you and I can’t live without some passion for what we do—I wonder what you will do? It don’t matter, so long as you love it. Treasure your family, for, as important as work is, family is far more so. Love your sisters—I have the idea that you have a couple of them, and if so, you’re blessed, for a happy family is the most beautiful thing in the world. And love yourself, too—it weren’t always easy for me to be kind to myself in my day, but I see that gentler days are coming, and I want you to remember always that you are very special and dear. Think of me sometimes, dearest child, and know that on this day I was thinking of you, and was more proud than I can say to know that I was one of the ones who helped to shape you.
With all my love, dearest great-great-granddaughter, from
Grandma Jo.
P.S. to Cousin Henry. Quit snooping, Mister, this is between my girl and me.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Obviously, this book would not have been conceivable without Louisa May Alcott’s extraordinary Little Women, which has entertained and inspired girls for generations, and to which my work must stand as most humble homage.
Back in the twenty-first century, I’d like to thank Lydia New-house, my wonderfully imaginative first editor, who had the idea in the first place and was kind enough to commission me to carry it out; Trish Todd of Touchstone and Mari Evans of Michael Joseph, who encouraged me to go the extra distance; Samantha Mackintosh, eagle-eyed copyeditor; and Felicity Blunt of Curtis Brown, who believes in me and makes me smile.