September First [1944]–

Dear Mom –

I haven’t written for several days now. We haven’t received any mail for quite a while and I was waiting to hear before writing again, but I guess I’d better drop a line now rather than wait.

Last Sunday I went to the Catholic High Mass in a beautiful French church. The service was very impressive. Part of it was in Latin (which I did not understand at all) and part in French. I caught quite a bit of it. I can understand spoken French very well now, and I’m making some progress with my speech too.

I have not heard from gene since I got his two letters about a month ago. I do hope he is OK. Be sure to always let me know when you write. Our mail doesn’t seem to go so well

The writing paper situation is getting acute, so I’ll use the back of this page too. Your package with the paper has not arrived as yet. I borrowed this – fancy isn’t it? Maybe it would be a good idea if you sent some writing paper every once in a while. I can get V-mail but I’d much rather write a regular letter. I think you can send 10 ounces first class mail. A tablet and some envelopes would not weigh much. If you do send them try to find a waterproof package for the envelopes (a tobacco pouch maybe). They get damp and stick together. Call the post office and see what the regulation is on the first class packages.

I hope Ginny is much better now, and that she’ll get OK before too long. When you last wrote she was working ½ day.

I do hope we get some mail in today or tomorrow. Keep writing.

Love

Jack