Dearest Hal,

I have had another birthday and now I am a year older. It wouldn’t matter if you could only be here with me to see them pass but I hate to think they are going by and I am not able to spend the time with you. I know you are always with me in spirit anyway and the lovely fire opals make me realize more than ever how much you think of me. Just having them has made the time pass faster and help to cure the lonliness I feel.

Sam went out and got some flowers and arranged a bouquet. Then when he went to the Draft he asked me for a nickel. He bought a box of cookies and when we came home he fixed up a birthday party for “mommie” and me. He really is such a sweet child. He is stubborn at times but of course he is my child and naturally he has to “take after” me a little. Mostly though I think he is like you. Nana thinks he looks a lot like you. I believe I can see more resemblance in his mannerisms and expressions then in his actual features. He has grown quite a bit taller but his expressions he hasn’t changed greatly in looks. He is terribly worried for fear his will change and you won’t know him when you come home. He has never forgiven me for not taking him to New York when you left. But he says he is going to be there when you come back.

Sometimes I wonder what your home coming will be like. I try to picture it to myself. One of my worst night mares is the one in which I go to meet you and you don’t recognize me. I try and try to call to you but you never hear me. Silly to dream such foolish things, isn’t it? Sometimes the dreams are better and we are building a home and sometimes we are going to football games and all sorts of pleasant things and sometimes you are holding me in your arms and that is the best dream of all. I always wake up too soon from that one. Some day I know you will make all my dreams come true.

We have had three weeks of awfully hot dry weather. We really haven’t had a good rain for a month. My precious garden is about to dry up and the much more important corn crop is badly damaged. Somehow I don’t see how farmers have the patience it takes to work so hard and then see their work all ruined because of the weather or something else they can’t do anything about.

I think I wrote you we were going to have the house painted. It seems wonderful to us. We have had all the windows and doors weather stripped and that is going to make us so much more comfortable, I hope, when it gets cold this winter. Of course it makes right much mess while it lasts but think of the results and hope it will be worth the struggle.

Darling, please do everything you can to get this awful war over as soon as possible. I need to see you so much. I can wait if I have to but I hope it won’t have to be as long as it has already been.

All my love,

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