Love Letters to Lois by Art: Letter #21

Introductions by Debra

This is a true, first-hand account of the innermost thoughts of Art to his beloved Lois, written while serving our country as a United States Marine during World War II. My name is Debra and I am sharing the gifts of Art’s Love Letters. Art was my grandfather and Lois was my grandmother. It was 1944 and they were 21 years old when the letters began.

The Letter Transcript

Friday, June 23, 1944

My Dearest Lois,

All smiles today, two letters from you and my worries are all dissolved. Should have known but then that’s me. Received them at noon time, just going into the chow hall when my buddy called to me and held up those long envelopes. Made my heart leap to see them I guess you know.

Your Monday letter was something, like the one I sent yesterday. No need to worry now Darling, as my going over the hill is all water over the dam. Have to stay on the base this weekend but should be able to stand it one week. Right now am fairly confident of seeing you the following weekend. How does that sound?

Lois, every once in a while it might be a good idea if you did enclose a stamp because sometimes we get short handed on them. My folks have been sending me stamps but with all the letter writing I do now well you know how they disappear. I hate to send them free as they do take so long.

Yours truly is plenty caught up on his sleep. Take a little snooze in the afternoon and hit the sack real early. Tonight I think it would be a good idea to take in a show. Still have lots of ironing to do but that can wait until Sunday.

The play of yours must be big time staff if your even broadcasting it. Guess I’ll really be missing something by not seeing it. Nice anyway just seeing you on the stage. The sailor uniform must look awfully cute on you.

Glad you like the letters, Dear, as I like yours terribly much. Hope the letters start coming one a day as it is much better that way.

Okay, Honey, will hold off till I see you again. Not nice, I suppose by letter, besides someone might see them and start seeing wrong things, Right?

Yes sir, that’s all I want, Lois, for the letters is the kisses. Plenty of payment but it would be lots better if I were coming in on the beam for them. Have to do it this way!

Darling, I didn’t find out any faults this past weekend. All I found out was I loved you more and more. Maybe your folks did say a few things in fun but then they didn’t say anything bad.

Darn it, had to lend a fellow thirty dollars. Had sixty in my pocket and was going to send forty home but now I’ll have to wait. This is the only debt out now thank heavens. This boy missed the bridge last night in his car and went into the drink. It was a brand new car so I had to help him out. Every time I send money home to the bank will send you the stub so you can see how much money I saved, ok?

So, the old flame sent you his picture, well, I don’t mind, Darling, just so long as I remain number one. Keep writing to him if you wish to, Honey, as I have all the faith in the world in you. Wouldn’t be love if I didn’t have it.

Darn, wish the bracelet was coming sooner, Honey, but it takes a little while to get it done. It sure is a nifty one and I’ll always treasure it.

I did write home and explained everything but am still waiting an answer. Been getting lots of mail from buddies in the service, also received one from brother in Texas. He sounds a bit blue after the furlough and what with getting prepared to be going overseas but that’s to be expected. Will write him next and straighten him out a bit (Daddy talking now!)

Tell me how the play comes out Lois. How you do in it etc.? Will write again tomorrow, sweetheart. Bye for now.

All My Love,
Art

P.S. The poem was pretty good. I know what you’re talking about!

Questions, Conclusions and Commentary

Comment 1: Well now we now all of the fears Art had in yesterday’s letter were unfounded about Lois being sick. Perhaps one of the letters got stuck in the mail yesterday and that is why he got none since today he received two letters from Lois. It sounds like Lois also sent him a letter where she was having a bad day.

I cannot imagine having such barriers in communication since today we have the ability to send messages instantaneously around the world. If we are worried about what our partner is thinking, we text or call them and all of our worst fears are instantly dissolved. These two young lovers have to grapple with their monkey minds with no reassurance until a next letter comes to them and that can be days later since Art is reading Lois’s Monday letter today on Friday. We are so fortunate not to have these challenges. Instead, they’ve been replaced with new fears of why is the other person taking so long to respond to us when so many of us lived attached to our phones 24/7.

Comment 2: I find it interesting that soldiers could send out letters for free if they could not get stamps but they letters would simply take longer to get to their destination. It would seem fitting to me that since these boys (and girls now) are separated from their loved ones that they should have the benefit of sending letters whenever they wish for free and they should be sent timely. Seems the least we could do for our soldiers during their time of sacrifice away from loved ones in exchange for their dedicated service to our country.

Comment 3: I wish I knew the name of the play that Lois performed in. If it was broadcast, perhaps I may be able to dig into getting a copy of it. I have so many of her old films in the attic. I wonder if perhaps one of those little reels has the play on it. I am now much more motivated to fix my attic stairs so I can get up there and get to all the old films of Lois and Art.

Comment 4: I love how mature and confident that Art is in Lois. Many men would get very jealous and feel extreme emotions inside of them at hearing that an old flame was sending pictures and wanting to write letters to their new fiancé. This is the second time Art has revealed how free he wants Lois to feel in this relationship. Last time it was accepting engagements to go out. This is a very healthy aspect of their relationship and I admire him very much for it.

Comment 5: I wish I could see what the bracelet looks like that Lois gave to Art. Perhaps there are pictures of him wearing it that my mother has. It is engraved with Lois’s name on the back and has his U.S.M.C. number on the front based on what Art and Lois discussed in a previous letter. I wonder where that bracelet is today and if still exists.

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