September 7th, 1861

I started my job at the market in town. It's really nice and a pretty fun job. I enjoy helping people and seeing all the different people walk in. I met a splendid woman, Clarissa who works there as well. Her husband also, went to war. She has 2 sons, who actually go to the same school as Emma. I am hoping to get Emma and them together, to meet. Emma needs some friends to hang out with, to get her mind off of everything. Clarissa and I feel the exact same way about the war and loosing our husbands.

It's hard being with someone for, forever and loosing them unexpectedly, in the blink of an eye. Everything has been so different without our husbands. Clarissa and I both connect to each other about our emotions. It feels good having someone to talk to, who is in the same situation as me. I miss Samuel so much, it hurts going everyday, without him. I wake up to a dark house and turn over, in the middle of the night, with extra space. The dinner table is quieter and family time is lonelier. I realize that God put my family in this place for a reason. He gave me hope when I met Clarissa. Neither one of us feels so alone anymore.