Letter 19

May 10, 1945

In Bed

Dearest one-

First thing off the bat – I’ve been trying to remember to say it for 2 letters – please thank the Padre for the amusing poem – Made very good reading. How did you happen by it?

Darling, as I told you yesterday, I got 2 letters- both of ‘em showing you in a better mood. But, oh damn you, if don’t quit writing in longhand! Your printing is so nice darling – and so easy to read, please keep it up, will you? Even now, I’m, still trying to figure out one paragraph, darn your blessed little hide! But it will eventually come – I hope –

Well, it was nice to think that maybe you’d be home for my birthday, darling – I didn’t really bank on it, knowing the Navy – but I’m still looking for you each tomorrow and I always will – til I feel your arms around me once more. Oh darling, I’m so lonesome for them – and the way my head fits on your shoulder – when I can persuade you to let me sleep on it! I also want to hear you say “Pretty stupid, aren’t you?” – oh hell, I just plain and simple want you, Stinky –

You know, I’ve been wondering about your watch – for it hasn’t been to the jeweler for ages, has it? And it’s gotta give up the ghost some time. But how nice to have a repairman aboard the barge – pretty smart, aren’t you?

So you don’t make fuel Lt. until Aug – so all right – you only have to wait a month longer than you expected – and sure? Your 19 date is 1 April 1944, you’ll have been one for 15 months, which is really pretty good time, isn’t it? I always thought it took 18 mo to become a double bars. So quit beefing, Brady, or I’ll have Spam sandwiches when you come home! Seriously tho, if you do make double bars by Aug – we’ll really be doing very well by ourselves – as you say, the Navy will be paid back in June and with an increase in pay especially the nice fat one you’ll get this time, will ready be salting money away hard and fast. Tell me, Brady, how does it feel to be in the money as we are now??

By the way, we are now the proud possessors of one Sunbeam Iron – retail price 9.95 plus tax – to me, 8.95 It’s a nifty iron – you’ll probably like it so well you’ll want to learn how to iron! Seriously tho, it’s a peach and I’ve already got it stored away for future Brady use.

But to go back to your last letters – 30 April and 1 May – I think it’s a very good idea for you to keep your pay on the books instead of sending it to me – for, as you say, you’ll want to have plenty on hand when you hit the states.

And, Wray, I’m so glad to hear about the trig class, etc – really makes me feel good to know you dabbling in math, even if it’s trig – according to Doc’s letters you’re still plugging along steadily with curves, etc. – and I think it’s swell, of course, my limited knowledge of your favorite subject renders me unable to say the proper things – but I’m sure you get the drift. I know Doc will be pleased to learn of your math classes.

Darling, what did you send in the small package for our anniversary? I’m dying of curiosity – just as you do every time it’s your birthday or Christmas. I’ll tell you what I sent – so you’ve got to tell me, will you? I sent you a sterling silver Dunhill Lighter – the kind that will light in the wind – for I thought it would be just the thing for windy days. Really, this little jabbie thrives on wind – the more wind, the more fire. I sent it ages ago, and I do hope you get it.

Lately, I’ve been holding off sending you any boxes, for surely you’ll get some most any time and I’m so anxious to know if my method for packaging is any good.

Yes, my job is really dang all right – and I’m very thankful to have had it to keep me through the first month as so – as you say, one can get used to being separated, and I say, too, only if has confidence in the foundation upon which his life is built. My faith in our future together is what makes it bearable, darling, to have you so far away – for I know that we’re both, in our own ways, building a very beautiful and wonderful future. And the knowledge of your love is the thing that keeps my backbone stiff, darling – I’ve grown up a lot since we said goodbye – I don’t mean I’ve changed, but I can certainly place a truer value on those things in life that mean the most – And I can appreciate them more, too. All of which goes to say I love you and I like you and I hope you’ll hurry home.

You may have been having foul weather – but you should see ours! Cold, rain by the ton, wind – hot one day, cold the next – And today it rained harder and longer than it ever did in Okie land. What I’d like to know is “what goes on.” From my way of looking, there has been a stationary front here for Aug – day before yesterday, it cleared – and now today is bad again. Must be shuttling back and forth on a regular run!!

Dinner with Maud last nite was OK – the chop suey was good, much to our surprise – And she had “cottage pudding” which explained to me your fondness for 1-egg cake and chocolate syrup. She was to go out to Classer’s? yesterday – but poor Violet must have gotten tangled up with a germ or two, for she called Maud up Tuesday and said she was sick.

Maud wants to go to PgW. to buy a dress – so I told her I’d take her the first warm Sat. afternoon. And I guess she’ll be going out to Classer’s next week.

I hope, by this time, you’ve mentioned the car deal to her – she never tells me what you write – but since she’s been so chummy lately, I’ve been thinking of bringing up that subject again – to see what happened.

Golly, darling, my eyes are so heavy – worked hard today for a change – George is going away for about a week or so – an adw. convention in New York – and we were whipping things into shape. So, methinks I’ll go to sleep, for I’m really tired.

Have I told you lately how much I love you? I guess I have – but I never get tired of mentioning it – so here I am again – this time, a very sleepy wife, very much in love with a very wonderful guy-

Yours,

Emily

Penny says: “love and kisses – the latter very wet –“

Wray, Penny’s gettin’ to be kind of a lap-dog, for when I get lonesome, she crawls up in my lap – and since we both like here on my lap, well, she’s gettin’ to be kind of a lap dog - !

*Edited for content