(Excerpts from her letters)
" .... I am grateful to those through whose efforts I find myself here. I learned much and I experienced much and all this has been useful. After all, the good God. knows best what I need" . ..
"In six days it will be half a year since they took me from Vilnius, but it all seems such a short time ago, as if it were yesterday. And everything remains before my eyes — my "honor" guard, sharers of my fate, of whom there were many (they were all criminals, I was the only political prisoner), the last farewell look at the city, or rather at the train station, and the whole "romance" of the journey, which is indescribable — it must be experienced in order to feel life and to understand the necessity and value of love. I have the possibility of living through this romance a second time— when they take me into exile. And you can only envy me for this, although that is not necessary—all this is not for people in your physical condition.
"And how good it is that the small boat of our life is steered by the hand of a good Father. When He is at the wheel—nothing is frightening. Then, no matter how hard life becomes, you will know how to fight and to love. And I can say that the year 1975 has flown by like the wink of an eye, but it has been my joy. I thank the Good God for it."
"There is not much dust in our work area, although the material from which we sew gloves gives forth fibre glass dust. The work is tiring in its monotony, and when the frequent mechanical breakdowns are added, it requires patience. The mechanic does not come every day, often we have to wait until they are repaired, but our quota does not wait. . . ." (70 pairs of gloves per day have to be sewn.)
"On March 3, I returned fiom the hospital. At last it looks as though I will be up and about. Your diagnosis was most accurate— accute exhaustion.
"My "vacation' lasted for some time. I started it on October 18, worked only 6 days in November, spent December in the hospital and only at the end of the month was I able to sew for four days. January I divided in half—one half I worked, the other half I did not. February was spent in the hospital; so were the first three days of
March. Now I sew slowly, with pauses; when I feel weak I go outside into the yard to enjoy the fresh air and the sun. I fulfill my quota because we work only one shift. I can start sewing at 6 a.m. and I stop at 10 p.m. So, for the time being everything is going splendidly. Everyone loves me and I try to respond in kind. I am happy and satisfied."
"There are many old women as well as sick women here, so I am glad I was brought here according to my calling — to nurse and to love. And even though I miss you all very much, it will be difficult to leave here; I will be sorry to leave people who have become very close and dear to me. But then the good God cares best for us . . ."
"I receive letters not only from aquaintances, but also from those whom I have never met. The desire of people to help in any way they can, touches me so. How much sensitivity and sincerity there is in-their hearts. How much joy this gives, lifts one up and encourages one to be better, to be worthy of this great love."
"Ten girls from Kaunas write: 'We are with you and intercede for you with God. Don't give up! Everything earthly can be borne by people of great spirit. Best wishes from the nation!' "
In spite of the harshest living conditions in the prison camp, the letters of Nijolė are full of good spirits, brimming with love and with the greatest concern for her relatives and everyone else. She never complains, — on the contrary — she rejoices in everything sent to her by the good God.
