personal

I’ve been really excited about this since I first heard about it this fall. We loved “Band of Brothers” and can’t wait to watch “The Pacific” tonight!

My dad was in WWII and in the Pacific theater. He didn’t talk about it much, but he did write letters home regularly–the last letters I think he ever wrote, I think! There is a box of letters from his time in WWII, but none afterwards…

Here’s one:

Philippines
April 10, 1945

Dear Mama,

I rec. several letters from you and Gladys today sure was glad to hear from you.

I don’t guess you have thought about it, but this is my Birthday. One year ago yesterday, I was home, but it feels like it has been several years of course it is not so bad here I like it here ok. You asked me if I had been to Manila. Yes I have been there on pass. I know it was a nice place before the war, but now it is not much left there.

I have had some pictures made and they came out ok, so I sent them back to have some more made like them and I will get them tomorrow and send you some I want to send you one of each.

Is Bobby going to get to finish this year of school or are they going to take him on to the Army?

Does Natalie think as much of Bobby as he does her and will Mrs. Cogle let her go out with Bobby or don’t she like him?

Do you ever see Edward Agee now?

I guess Antoinette still gets everything she wants.

Well I guess I had better close now but I will write again soon. P.S. Did you send Virginia’s pictures to her.

Love Clark

[for reference, Gladys was my father’s sister–my Aunt Gladys who lived in Alaska for years before finally retiring in Linden, Alabama. Bobby was my father’s brother: the youngest of the family. Antoinette was my father’s first (I think) niece, born to my Aunt Margaret.]

Wow. It has been three years. It seems forever, but also just yesterday when Mama was taken away. It somehow makes it that much harder that it is one week from her birthday. I miss her so much.

I’ve been going through old letters she sent (I promise not to continue to post them), and found the following one she sent me when I turned 25. It is VERY self-indulgent on my part to post, but Mama’s not around to say such nice things about me anymore, so thought I’d put it out there anyway.

Here it is:

My dear Joe,

It seems impossible that you are to be 25 Saturday! How proud we were of that tiny bit of love–Dr.  Henry’s “pea mite.” Since then you have been my “raison d’etre.” It has been our pleasure to see you mature–and with many uncompromising traits. Just thank you for being you, for showing tender love and true caring for your family. For whatever we have done, over protectiveness included, it was done in the name of love.

Have a happy birthday and please know that I love you with all my heart.

Mama

October 27

I Miss her so much. She really was such a wonderful person. If half the things in her letter to me were accurate, I’d be delighted. But it all came from having such a loving and caring family. Mama, you were the greatest!

Mama would have been 86 years old today. I miss her so much. She brought a lot of good into the world, including all 6 of us. Below is  part of a letter she wrote a few years ago just after her birthday. I wish I had inherited her letter-writing abilities (or at least took the time she always managed to find to write)…

Dear Joe,

It’s 11:15 and can you believe that I have a few minutes to call my own! (It’s because I’ve left the kitchen porch “as is” for the time being.)

It’s so pretty here–the redbuds are in bloom, all the white bushes and the daffodils, plus the hyacinths are so pretty.

Billy Milstead just stood and looked around and remarked, “Everywhere you look you see pretty!” He also talked about so many pines in general everywhere else, but hardwoods surrounding us.

You want believe this, but it is now nearly two o’clock as I’ve had to stop at least a dozen times for some incidental thing, but for Papa it can’t wait! For instance, “The mail came. Reckon my medicine is there?” A walk to the mailbox, of course I must get the scissors to clip the end of each piece of mail–mostly junk, but it must be taken care of!

I must stop now as I need to get ready to take Papa for a drive after he finishes lunch.

I love you,

Mama

February 26

Happy Birthday to the person that made me the person I am today (at least the good parts!)

Had to search through some old boxes for a book I needed to complete a project this afternoon. No luck with the book, of course, but did manage to come across a nice letter. Really reminded me of Mama. People do not send letters like this anymore. She managed to share a tidbit that might help me with our backyard, tell a cute story about racoons, remind me about Ms. Florence Mooring, inform me that my shoes (hastily forgotten on my previous visit) would arrive with my sister and that my niece had found a job. Oh, and she shared information about my dad. Oh, how I miss her.

Here is the letter:

Dear Joe,

Just today I went through a stock of papers and this backyard with fountain just happened to be among them. I thought you might get some ideas.

Guess what? Today I noticed some movement of the trumpet vine that remains on the side porch. Slowly, very slowly, there emerged three very small raccoons–getting off the roof onto the downspout. The mother was very patient. The coons were very cautious. I decided to call Florence and see if she could bring Ashley to see them. While I waited for them, I watched them climb down to the porch, explore everything on it, and then disappear before Ashley got here. How sad! I did fix her some cookies to take with her.

Did you hear more movement than usual when you were here? I don’t know how, but I believe they’ve been in the attic.

Julia will bring your shoes when she comes for her doctor’s appointment. I’m sure Stacy will be with her. She, too, has an appointment, I think. I understand that she has been accepted as Special Education instructor at the high school in Thomasville. She also interviewed in Grove Hill, but this will be easier for her–no travel.

I plan to go see Papa tomorrow. I went yesterday and things are about the same.

July 27

I love you,

Mama