December 12, 1943

My dearest Hal,

Yesterday I went to town to bring Peggy home. Irene has the flu and Peggy has been staying in town. I certainly do hope we don’t any of us celebrate Christmas by having the flu. Three people who work in the clerk’s office are at home sick with it and the school is full of it so I am afraid we stand a good chance to get it. People who have had it say it is not so severe but leaves you very weak and shaky. I dread to think of Mother and Daddy having any thing like that, they just haven’t much strength for fighting off such things.

Today I have been trying to paint a toy for Sam. He is crazy for an easel black board. I tried every where and couldn’t get one, but I found a black board that hangs on the wall and I had an easel made to put it on. It is a grand one and very substantial and nice and large so he can use it a long time. I was trying to get the frame painted and I was scared to death I was going to have needed help before I got it done.

He asked Mommie if she had seen “any interesting looking packages” coming into this house. I hope he doesn’t decide to play in Bob’s room. Every thing is in there and some of it in plain view.

Tonight we wrote his letter to Santa Claus and what a list! He has heard a lot about giving war bonds and stamps for X-mas this year and so when he was dictating his letter he asked for the things he wants and then said and a war bond. I guess he wants to be in style. He is sweet about always saying “if you can find one or if the army doesn’t need it or if you have enough money” when he is talking about Santa Claus.

I hope all this talk of X-mas doesn’t make you homesick but it is the only way I know in which you may share with us just a little. I guess you know what it would mean to us if only you could be with us.

We are trying to be patient and sending you our love and our prayers. You are never out of my thoughts or my dreams.

All my love,

Page