March 6, 1944
My Darling,
At last—some real mail! Your 11-pager of 23 Feb. arrived today. It was the first word I had that Adele was ailing with German Measles. Luckily, your V-mail of 25 Feb. arrived at the same time, advising me that her condition had improved much overnight, thereby saving me some anxious moments. I gather she's O.K. now—and I'm glad. Hope the worriment and extra work didn't affect you too much, Sweet.
In reading over your letters just now, I didn't see anything that calls for comment except a question you put about Wolpe’s proofs. Answer: I have them—and I mean to keep them. ‘Nuff said? Something else—you say you received my two letters of the 16th Feb. I don't remember writing two. Tell my mom, I'm sorry I didn't get the opportunity to say Kadish for Pop.
Things are still pretty dull around here, and I haven't done anything worth writing about. I got to thinking today about reneging on my promise to send you something every month. The more I thought about it, the less I liked myself. Finally, I decided to fix it so the sorry performance would never again be repeated. I made out an allotment for a $25.00 bond to be taken out of my pay each month. That way I know I'll save something each month—come what may. I figure your $80.00 per month should see you through, so there is no real need for me to send my “surplus” home. However, whenever I do have a “surplus,” I'll send it along to you in the form of a bond. In the meantime I'll be automatically acquiring a bond a month which is in both our names as co-owners and will be mailed to you. I hope this meets with your approval, Chippie.
Today—as if you didn't know—your old man added another full year to his previous twenty-eight. Compared to the majority of the guys in the Company—I am an old man, but strangely I don't feel old—I feel like I'm just biding my time to really start living—again. Of one thing I'm certain—I'm not too far gone to miss you terribly, and to feel the need of you acutely, my dear Chippie. On the other hand, looking at the situation from your side, “your Phil” will prove his sufficiency in every department and to your entire satisfaction (if’n you know what I mean) anytime, and whenever he next gets the opportunity to do so. (Wanna bet?) On the whole, I don't feel that the past year has deprived me of anything (materially speaking). Paradoxically, it has, to great extent, and in ways too numerous to mention, benefited me. If I do not feel myself any older, I certainly feel myself wiser. God grant an early end to our too-long separation, so that I might use my increased acumen to the best advantage of myself and my loved ones. My mind is increasingly pre-occupied with plans for the future—“our” future—and so gloriously happy are the situations I contemplate, that I can't help but feel impatient for the chance to translate my dreams into facts. I have been “dead” for so long now, that I am inexpressibly eager to resume “living” (as I used to know the meaning of the word). Biding time is a necessary evil—but nonetheless—an evil, and I would have done with it.
Take care of yourself, my darling, and take care of my other darling, the ubiquitous (where's that dictionary?) punkin. I love you both so very much! My love to the family.
Ever,
Your Phil
March 6, 1944
Dear Phil,
Such is the world today that Americans who can spend their birthdays at home do so with the feeling, not of happiness, but of longing; and pray that their loved ones will share the next one with them here.
You, who today celebrate your birthday by arc rather than by candle light, amidst bomb rather than amidst cake ruins, cannot look forward to happiness tomorrow that has evaded you for so many yesterdays. But your next, to be spent with those to whom you are so dear, that is a shining ray of hope to be encountered in the world you helped to bring peace back to. May the good Lord so deign. We’ll know He did when Adele Bara says “Happy Birfday, Daddy.
As ever,
Jackie
March 6, 1944
Dear Phil,
How are you? I received your v-mail and I was glad to hear from you. By the way, happy birthday! You wanted to know what subjects I've taken in school. They are bookkeeping, biology, practical math, arithmetic review, English and American Ideals, which is history and geography combined together. I got a letter and card from Harry Weinman and a letter from your brother Jack, I promise you that I will be your Valentine and that I will share you with Evvie and that I won't tell all the boys the same thing I tell you. Phil, do you have any small pictures of yourself? I would like to have one to put into my wallet. I just got through writing letters to Eddie, Harry and Jack, and my hands are breaking off, so I'll just have to cut you short.
Lots of love,
Ruth.
P.S. Write and tell me if you need anything.
P.P.S. We are mailing off some more of those packages for the English kids.
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