December 1, 1944

Dearest Edward,

Maybe this will be my Christmas letter but I hope it reaches you ahead of that date. Time goes so fast for us who are busy. I hope it goes fast for you too. You have been away nearly a year and Jamie is already over six months old. Ellie has been wonderful in writing me all about her and sending me pictures of her. We think she looks a lot like you and what a joy she is to Ellie!

We miss Kathleen and Eileen and Bill dreadfully. Jack been able to come down three times during the two months he is in Los Angeles. As he can’t get away for more than 24 hours at any time he doesn’t stay very long. Our rainy season started early and with a bang so everything is lush and green now, lemons and oranges blooming. Did you know that Isabelle and Jim O’Hearon are living in Los Angeles now and that Tom E is flying about Europe (I don’t know why).

Whenever I think of the coming Christmas I think of our last one in Monterey when you were home. Remember all the hustle of shopping and decorating the tree? This year there will only be BeeBee home but another year should be different. Maybe all the children and all the grandchildren.

We sent you three assorted boxes of bits of Christmas thought. I would like to know if and how they arrived. I dried the apricots. Did they keep? Were the walnuts rancid? Candies melted? If you will ask for any you want repeated we may send them. Merry Christmas.

Mother