Monday – 11:30

Dec. 27, 1943

Hello honey:

Were you really here yesterday? It seems such a long time ago. I love you very much again today.

Here are those awful proofs you wanted sweety. There is one missing because: I decided to have smiling one made so took it up today. Then tonite while sitting here, one of those you liked seemed to appeal to me so I’m going to take it up tomorrow to have it made instead.

I suppose you’ll kill me when I tell you this but here goes. I bought a coat today. You know I told you I was going to have a black one? Well- I looked at some and they looked at me and we didn’t like each other so well, so I went to our other place where they are having a sale on winter dress coats and sure enough here is this beautiful I was telling you about when you were home. It is a cross between red and dubonnet (wine) with a black Persian Lamb collar, light-fitting. It was originally $76, I got it for $54. That seems like a lot of money to you I suppose, but you can’t get a good 180 70 wool coat any cheaper and have it look like anything. It isn’t really red – more of a rose, but honey it is gorgeous. It makes me feel so good – so cheerful and it is a smart looking coat. I don’t think you’ll be ashamed of me in it. Please say it’s alright. I’ll pay ten on it now and 20 next month and so next. I may have to ask you for a little to tide me over. Would you give it to me? It isn’t as if I don’t need it you know and next year it’s going to be impossible to get a coat. Maybe I shouldn’t have bought it what with the earrings and all. Did I do wrong? If I’ve made you angry, I won’t take it – I’ll buy the black one – it will only be half as much. I guess I sound silly raving on like this, but I want to please you too. I also bought a couple of blankets for Rally.

I thought surely he’d come today. I had awful pains – one at 5 – 5:30, 6:30, 7:30 – all lasting about 15 mins. I was wringing wet with swear and simply exhausted after each one. They [are] easing down about nine o’clock and have disappeared now but he’s really down low. You can feel his head bulging [Edited for content] and it hurts a little to sit.

The squirrels have been pretty good today. I tore my fingers pretty badly on the cage this morning and they are swollen. How is your bite?

We played with the baby’s high chair tonite. It’s so cute.

We rec’d a box from A. Marguerite today – I got a pair and red fuzzy slippers.

Grandpa was over. He said he was with Grandma all nite and she was very real so today he wrote a letter to A. Prudence. He’s thinking a little about dying. Says a man doesn’t have much chance when he gets to 74 but “Casy” wasn’t afraid to die so he guessed he wasn’t either.

Death is a funny thing. There is a life after death and I suppose that’s why so many people are afraid to die: because we know so little about that life. It isn’t really a fear of death, I don’t think, but more a fear of the unknown.

Every since I can remember, I’ve had but one desire out of living or dying and that is to see dad or to tough Him and if I thought I never would then I would be afraid. Now I’m not egotistical enough to think I will get that opportunity but I can hope - and that hope seems to strengthen me. It really does. I know I’m far from good but I’m not bad (To anyone. Yes I guess there are a few) Life is so simple, it’s complicated.

What do you hear from home and everyone, Charlie and all? What’s new at camp? Any new babies, deaths or marriages? If you get too bored, why don’t you go into Franklin to a show and have a deer and a hamburger – or go up to the U.S.O and read the Sunday papers. I need to go up now and then to read. A change of atmosphere is nice once in awhile and you know enough to take care of yourself. Anyhow I trust you because I have you.

Do you know what a thrill I had Sunday where you said I was a good wife. So much of a thrill that I didn’t tell you something I’ve been wanting to for a coon’s age namely: you are a good husband and that is an understatement. You are the best.

Take a few drinks N.Y.’s Eve but don’t get drunk. I guess you wouldn’t anyhow and remember me at midnite and that I love you and am thinking of you awfully hard.

Darn – I’m getting those pains back again. I guess I’m just tired I just love you.

They tried again yesterday to get Bob but the operator said there was a 15 hr. delay to the Coast.

Let me know if you get the calendar or not.

It’s still raining here and is awfully damp and dreary.

Gosh – I’m running out of things to talk about so I’d better quit and write again tomorrow – no it’s today already.

I’m sending you all my love wrapped in kisses and tied with hugs.

God keep you safe, honey, forever.

Your Maggie.