July 29, 1945

Hello darling,

Doris has been using the typewriter most of the morning and wrote you a nice long letter. It’s swell having her here because she peps Mom up beautifully. Uncle Joe and Aunt Ida are coming over later as are the Daniels and that will be good for Mom so she wont sit and think about it.

I’ve been on the telephone all morning and we still have no news but we have to feel that no news is good news. The suspense is so nerve-wrecking though. When I called the field this morning they said that they had all the details but that they cant give out any further information than that which we already have. They said that they would keep sending us telegrams. It’s such a helpless feeling just sitting here and waiting and every time the telephone rings we all jump a mile.

Jeanette came up this morning and wanted to know if I would like some chicken and soup for Pat for lunch and we all thought that was so sweet of her. She’s going to bring it up when Pat wakes up. It is really nice to have neighbors like that.

There isn’t any other news. Oh yes. I spoke to Cynthia this morning and she said that Aunt Fan is feally coming along swell and was even out on the porch for awhile and now eats everything. That is really remarkable I think after how sick she was and how they almost gave up hope completely. They all send their love to you.

Hope you have received that picture by now. It makes me feel so badly because it’s really the one decent picture I’ve sent of all. You’ll get it eventually I guess. There hasn’t been a nice day lately for us to take any pictures with the roll of film which Leo go for us but there’ll come a day.

I’ll be back later, dear, and hope to have some good news. Love u. Here I am again. Got another telegram from the Field today and still no news on Herb. This waiting is just awful but I’m still optimistic.

This afternoon the Wolfs came over and then all Mom’s cousins and there were about 18 people in this room. Just as they were leaving, Ginzia and her sister, Mrs. Rosenthal came in and they have the best sense of humor and really pepped us all up. Doris is still here and the Daniels will be over later and she’ll go back with them. Everyone asked for you and sends their love.

Pat was so wonderful as usual and they all were entranced with her. She went to everyone and gave everyone a kiss and a hug and that was all they needed. She answers yes or no when i ask her a question and everyone says she is so smart. Noone can get over the way she eats by herself even though she still makes a mess but she has wonderful coordintation and really manipulates that spoon just beautifully. She has very good coordination anyway which I’m sure will please you because everyone remarks on it and it’s an odd thing about which to remark so it must be remarkable. I had her dressed all in yellow cause I love her in yellow. Somehow it brings out her eyes and they’re so lovely anyway.

At this point Jeanette has Doris in a chair and is fussing with her hair. She’s very good at it and does wonders with it. Everyone just raved about mine today so I guess it really does look nice. I shall have to get the knack of doing it by myself. I’m going to let it grow again and then when I get home Jeanette will find an even better hairdo. She’s a swell kid. She was telling us about her life and they shure have had things tough. It’s really some story.

The war news continues to be wonderful and we dont think it can last much longer. All the commentators seem to feel that it wont be long before they surrender unconditionally.

Here are the Wolfs now so I’d better close for now. Doris’ hair looks just beautiful. Think I’ll hire Jeanette. I’ll be back later when everyone is gone and I can write in peace. I love you.

Hello again- after midnight + still no word. Harold, darling, I can’t tell you what a brick Mom is. She’s really the best sport + her sense of humor is marvelous. She’s just wonderful and it’s made this suspense so much easier.

Bernie called tonight ’cause she read in the paper + we were really so touched by that. The Linbergs have been calling all the time.

Aunt Miriam + Uncle Dan are swell. Do you know that Uncle Dan has given 18 pints of blood + he says he just wishes that at least one of those pints has saved someone’s life.

Hope there’s lots of mail for me tomorrow. Maybe you have been transferred by this time too. Am so anxious to hear.

Goodnight darling. hope there’s some good news on Herb by morning. There just has to be – but we’re keeping our chins up.

Pat kissed your picture in such a cute way tonight. Everyone was watching her + she was showing off a bit. She’s a honey. Goodnight again. I love you with all my heart + soul.

Your loving+adoring wife

Len

April 7, 1945

Hal dearest,
Just put Pat to bed. She has another cold but I think it’s from the vaccination and teething. Nevertheless she’s breathing so heavily and is rather uncomfortable. No temperature tho’ so she’ll be o.k. She’s so good when she’s sick + takes any medicine beautifully. She loves aspirin – what a riot – and actually wants more.
Got 2 letters from you today – postmarked March 27th and dated the 24th + 25th. You wrote about the places you had seen + I had them pretty correct. We knew you were in Saalautern because on March 20th the Traveler wrote about the 65th capturing the lawn. On March 23 the New York Times placed the 65th at Neumkirchen and then 2 days ago the Same said you beind the tank drive so you must be well into Germany now. I get a great kick out of all your descriptions so keep them up if you can – even if they seem trivial + uninteresting to you. Anything you write is of insterest + gives me a very clear picture of what you see + do + that’s what I want to share in my small way.
You asked for slippers – Darling, you must have received the ones I sent or rather Pat sent you for your birthday. I sent them 3 weeks or more ago so you must have them. I hope so and also hope they’re what you want. Mother sent you a Life Magazine subscription for your birthday + hope you get it. I’m going to send you the Reader’s Digest as soon as I find out where their address is. I’ll do it within the next couple of days. This morning I put Doris to work + we cleaned up the apt. Mother came over for lunch + brought your 2 letters and a present for Pat that came to the house from Herb. It’s a beautiful white fur dog with black ears. She has so many stuffed toys now that the apt is full of them. That was sweet of Herb to remember her birthday tho’ + it’s a lovely stuffed toy. She got a present from Carl today too – a big plastic ball willed with water + a red fish to play with in her bath. That was so swell of him I think.
Mother brought along a letter she got from Bob this morning + he’s fine — out at sea tho’ + repeats it’s just a pleasure cruise + remarks it’s his third trip.
Kay came over after a wedding she attened + looked very nice. She said she sent you a package of goodies. She left with Doris about 4:30.
This morning Ralph Mann came over + he looks just awful – Remember his usual pallor? Now it’s twice as bad. He was just tranferred to the Cushing General in Framingham + they’re getting ready to do some bone grafting as well as skin grafting on his arm. His elbow was shattered by bullets + he got shrapnel in his leg. He was with the 104th division + was hit back in January + went from Aid Station to Collecting Co. to field Hospital to Gen’l Hospital in Paris + was then flown to England + came back on a hospital ship to Charleston, S.C. + on to Camp Pickett + then here. Paul is with the ATC in England + Irving is in Brazil.
Spoke to Alice today + Bob called yesterday from Chicago + will be in Calif. tomorrow morning. Janet called too + may be over tomorrow night.
Glad to hear you got a radio. Do you have it with you? Danny Kaye is now + funny as ever. His program is swell.
Haven’t a paper tonight so miss the comics. I was going over to see the Faeke tomorrow but if Pat’s nose is still running I won’t take a chance in taking her out.
Called Uncle Joe just now + we deduced that you were with the 15th Army + were transferred to the 3rd. Is that correct? You said Uncle Joe was correct in his deductions + he said he wrote that he thought you were in the 15th – therefore our deductions!
The Kaufmans just called + said they were coming over now so I’ll have company again tonight. I haven’t been alone at all since I moved in. Everyone has been so nice Ethel Weinstein has the play pen ready for me whenever Ican pick it up so I’m really all set. – – – –
A couple of hours have passed since my last sentence. The telephone rang + then Janet + Ruther walked in. Cynthia called + is fine + so are the Kaufmans + they all send love to you. Pat woke up + cried for a couple of hours straight + I just got her to sleep – but oh! am I worn out. She’s O.K. but is uncomfortable + didn’t feel like sleeping. Jan + Ruth didn’t find me a good hostess at all ’cause I was trying to quiet Pat all the time. She does’t have a temp. so I’m sure she’s O.K.
Elaine called + I had to hang up + tell her I’d call in the morning. She’ll probably be over tomorrow anyway.
For the past few minutes I’ve just been a-dreamin’ of that wonderful day whne we three are together again. Wonder where you are right this minute ’cause my heart is right there with you + I’d sure like to know where my main cog is. Just hope you’re well. You sound very optimistic + encouraging in your letters and I know very well that you’re trying to allevieate my worries. Guess I wear my feelings on my pen. I’m improving tho’, darling + don’t worry when I don’t hear. I won’t say I’m not anxious + diasappointed ’cause I am when the mail man passes me by – but you are too – perhaps not anxious (’cause you know I write every day regardless) but certainly disappointed.
Must get some sleep. It’s early tonight or rather earlier than usual – so I’ll take advantage. I miss you so, sweetheart + love you more + more + more. Pat sends a squish, a squeeze, a hug, + a kiss.
I love you forever, darling —
Len

June 9, 1945

Hal Darling,