16/IV 22

My dear Mother!

Greetings!

Be well, do not let sorrow into your heart.

As the saying goes: "While I live, I shall bring joy to my violet; when I die, the worms of the grave shall rejoice."

This woman is my wife. Try not to let anyone offend her.

Your

Soso.

Source: Joseph Stalin in the Embrace of Family. From the Personal Archive. Moscow, 1993, p. 6. AP RF. F. 45. Op. 1. D. 1549. L. 1-2.