Islands in the Stream1977

Andrew:
[reading a letter from his father] Dear boys, it was good to get your letters and to hear all is going well.

Thomas Hudson:
[voice-over] So much has changed since you were here. The war still seems remote to us on the island but yet closer. There are few more refugees coming through in here now. The Germans are sinking a lot of ships in the stream between here and Florida. Sometimes at night, you can see them burning. Often two or three at the time. There isn't enough Navy, British or American, around to do anything about them. Work has been progressing steadily and well since you've left. I have completed five or six pieces to sell in New York and now I'm working very hard so we can fish. I love the sea. And would not be anywhere else. She's my home, my religion. Or perhaps correctly I should say that she is what we have instead of religion or God. She creates life and she ends it. She has beauty and great mystery. And she's eternal. This island is a lovely place. But the house is empty. I think I know almost all there is to know about living alone. And I know what it is to love with someone who you love and who loves you. I've always loved you, boys. But I never before realised how bad it is that I do not live with you. I feel isolated. I keep remembering how happy I became you were all here. And moved into a part of me that when you've moved out became empty. And it's been bad for a long time. When you were here we experienced happiness.

Andrew:
[still reading] No deny that I'm longing for it. But I know that loneliness is only stage and the way until you all come back.

Thomas Hudson:
[voice-over] All my love, your father.