Edith´s letter
Written on 12 August 1894 by Edith Andersson, 14 years old, at the Frönäs Farm, Gålö.
1894
Dear Unknown Friend,
My name is Edith Andersson and I’m 14 years old. I moved to Gålö four years ago, in 1890. I’m writing this letter to an unknown friend. living in the future. I want you to know how much I enjoy living in the archipelago and on Gålö. Living on this island has changed my life!
My mother died when I was 8, leaving me in despair. I had no-one to look after me. I was sleeping on the streets in Stockholm and begging for food – it was terrible. But one day in 1890, I met a man who told me that I was to be adopted and live in a new home, on Gålö. I came here to live with a family on the Frönäs Farm. In the beginning I was very afraid, but my new parents were kind and thoughtful. For the first time in my life I wasn’t hungry – it was a marvellous feeling.
It was here that I discovered the wonderful archipelago: wild, amazing, pure and authentic. Now I’m out among the islets and skerries, in the forests or on the ocean nearly every day. I love it. Just imagine that something so fine exists. I want everything that is here now to last forever, also for everyone who comes after me.
I’m writing this letter to you, and hope that you will read it in the future. I’m so happy that it was you who found the letter. I’d like to ask for your help with a few things:
The chest is buried by the fallen tree near the main trail. I’ve placed a large “X” on the tree to make it easy to find.
