On Valentine's Day of 1884, just 36 hours after the birth of their only daughter, Alice, 25-year-old future U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt held his young wife in his arms as she passed away from undiagnosed Bright's disease. Incredibly, just hours before, in the same house, he had already said a final goodbye to his mother, Martha. She had succumbed to Typhoid, aged just 48.
Theodore's diary for that day read as follows.
Theodore's diary for that day read as follows.
It is astounding how I have systematically destroyed myself in the course of years, it was like a slowly widening breach in a dam, a purposeful action. The spirit that brought it about must now be celebrating triumphs…
Franz Kafka, The diaries: 1910-1923
Franz Kafka, The diaries: 1910-1923