July, 8, 1944

Hal, dearest.

I have just come back from taking Daddy to the doctor. I have to do this three times a week. These treatments that he is taking now are helping him a little. The improvement is very slow but we are so thankful for even this little bit. Daddy was not able to go to the office and Dr. T had to come down here for over a month. We hope he will soon be able to walk without so much pain. He has to use two canes and it hurts him to walk so he doesn’t get about very much. His appetite has improved quite a good deal and I am relieved to have him want to eat again.

Sam and I had a very pleasant surprise Thursday when I got the mail. I got the letter in which you sent some pictures taken on your trip. I think they are real good. Just imagine being able to have your picture taken in all those romantic and far away places. It must have been quite an experience.

Sam was so excited at getting a package with his name on it. He was perfectly delighted with the brass cups. The book is a huge success too. I would do better at reading it if I could pronounce the names. They are beyond me but Marmie seems to manage pretty well. I am glad to have the cups to add to our collection of brass and I shall see that Sam takes good care of them. I hope you will not worry over Sam’s having something to play with. He has ten times as much as he needs but of course nothing we could buy here could ever have the fascination of things that his Daddy sent him. We have both been wonderfully lucky to have you send home so many lovely things. I can’t begin to tell you how lovely I think it is to have all these things.

I bought a bond yesterday. Now we have twelve of them. I hope I don’t have any very heavy expenses until August because I will have just nine dollars after I pay our board. I have never been quite so low before. I was so terribly anxious to buy a bond in this 5^th drive. I feel that each bond will bring all of our loved ones home that much sooner. Surely you will soon be on the way. I don’t believe I can stand it if you don’t come soon.

I hope you will write to me often. What difference does it make what we say as long as we write. I love to get your letters they never sound dull to me. Just to know you are thinking about me and that you still love me makes what ever you say sound wonderful.

Yesterday I picked four gallons of black berries and then put 14 qts. in the locker to freeze. I was pretty tired last night. Marmie and Peggy are both in bed today. Each one of them has some kind of food poisoning. I hope it doesn’t last too long.

I miss you more than you’ll ever know.

all my love,

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