Terry Darling,
Hello sweetheart, just a line to say hello to my dearest. I've moved some since last I wrote; I'm at staging now ready to go over. I'm finally on my way, darling, and it's going to seem like such a long time until I see you again. That'll be the toughest part of the whole deal. But I'll always be thinking of you, praying that we'll be near to each other, hoping that I'll be able to come back to you once more.
I've sent the pictures, one for us with all the signatures is on it's way to you to save. I hope you like it, they're really a swell bunch of fellas.
Darling, don't answer this letter until I send you my PO address. I don't think I'll be here very long, and the letter probably never will catch up with me.
I hope you're feeling better, sweet, if not, hurry up and get rid of that flu, will you? For my self, I'm not exactly in the best, a dog gone cold that won't go away, and it seems to give me more trouble than a hang over.
Darling, I read your last letter before I left Dalhart. It was a swell letter, and as for any other woman for me - you can't be beat. Dearest, I love you with all my heart, and I know we'll make a go of it, we two. We'll have one of the happiest, craziest, sweetest marriages any one ever did see. Terry dear, I'll always love you and I never want to feel any other way - -you're the girl for me!
I'm going to leave you now, as much as I hate to, but there's a lot to do tomorrow and my damn eyes are driving me crazy So, until next time, which will be soon, I'll always be with you.
All my love, darling,
Yours forever,
Jim
Sunday, September 28, 2014
December 6, 1943
Dearest Terry,
I've been looking through your letters again, and the first one I read was dated Nov 23. That goes back to Thanksgiving. I had a swell dinner that day. I guess that we had everything except our loved ones.
You also mentioned the song "No Love - No Nothing". I heard it for the first time today, and it's really a swell song, at least the lyrics are appropriate for us, aren't they? I feel the same was as the mode indicators, I'm all for it, honey, I just don't feel any other way.
By the way, I received the Birthday Card. It was so damn cute! I got a big kick out of it. Love is grand, darling, and I'm glad I'm in love with you, sweet you, regardless of the torture involved while we're apart. It's worth it, that's what I say, anyone as nice as you, Terry.
I also received the Christmas Message. Oh darling, I do wish I could get home for Christmas, to spend it with you, it would be perfect. And the gifts, darling, they were simply grand. You'll never know how much I'll cherish that little picture of you and your mom and dad. It's really a wonderful gift. And the scarf, darling, is so damn nice. I wore it today and some how I felt that you were near.
All of it was wonderful, sweetheart, you couldn't imagine how much excitement you caused. My pilot got impatient when I didn't open the packages fast enough for him.
The candy and cake are gone already, the wolves were at it. They said to thank you, and they all wanted to meet you. "Did you say she knitted that scarf?" and I said, "yes, how do you like it." They said, "is that her picture?" "By God, Jim, you've always been lucky, look at who you've got waiting for you." "I'd sure like to meet her!" I said "it wouldn't do any good, you couldn't get any place unless over my dead body." And they said "not a bad idea."
I haven't played the record. I'm going to have it played tonight, I'm waiting anxiously to hear it. And when you told me you were in bed with the flu, I must have worried because later something happened that made me think you were desperately ill.
I had an awfully high fever a few days ago. In fact, I've lost all track of things that happened these last few days. All I can remember is that I was home, couldn't wait to see you. But you weren't home, you were in the hospital, and when I went to the hospital, they wouldn't let me see you. They wouldn't let anyone see you. Then I said, "look I love her, she's my wife" but there was no record of our wedding, and it was too bad, but that's how things are. I was going crazy. I couldn't convince them that we were sweethearts, very much in love, that I just had to see you. When I woke up, I was still sweating, not sure that it wasn't true - and then I knew how I would feel if I lost you. It was as if they were pulling my heart out bodily. I couldn't stand to see you slipping away, while I was too far away to see you, to hold you in my arms, to kiss you.
Darling, I love you so. I hope nothing happens to you, but if anything ever does, let me know right away, and if there's any possible way to get home to you, I'll be there, at your side.
I hope you're feeling better now. That damn flu really pulls a person down. You don't know whether you're here or there, and you don't care much.
Darling, when you talk about our happy life together, children and a wonderful home, our love, our hardships and joys, together - it seems so glorious, so beautiful. All the times I thought I was in love, I know I was wrong now. I'll tell you why I know I've never been in love, really in love I mean. When I think of you, I not only think of a woman, a loveable, sweet, adoring person, but I also connect you with all the things so precious in life, things I mentioned alone. Suffering as one, so happy as one, so very much in love with each other. I picture the fights, we're going to have, those little misunderstandings that arise between people so very fond of each other, and then we'd make up again, and every thing would be forgotten, and we'd be happier than we'd ever been. I'd picture our first meeting after I came back, so gloriously happy, looking into each other's eyes, wondering, each of us, whether anything had changed things. Oh, my darling, you're so sweet, don't ever be any other way, stay as wonderful as you are.
I played the record just now, went over to the club and opened up the phonograph, it was swell, really deluxe to hear your voice again. I got such a big kick out of it. To me, you sounded like the sweetest voice in the world. I only regretted that you weren't as near as your voice sounded.
I've got the crew pictures now. Someone just brought them over. I'll be sending them right away. One is for us, that one will be yours. In case I don't get enough envelopes, I'll have to send all pics in one. I'll send them to my mom and I'll label "ours" so you'll know which one to take.
I'm leaving in a few short days. Can't tell you where, but I can tell you that it's in the states. I don't know how long we'll be at our staging station, maybe a week. Maybe more, maybe less, but I'll write as soon as I get there and let you know how things are.
Darling Terry, please forgive me for not writing more often. I know how I feel when I don't hear from you, but I try to make it up by a little longer letter. I know you understand, and I'll try very hard to write more often here after, or break my arm trying,
I'm going to say so long now, sweetheart, and please get better, get rid of that damn flu, and don't go to work until you feel tip top again.
I'll always love you Terry, remember that, won't you? Until next time, I'll be thinking of you always.
Your loving sweetheart,
Always,
Jim
I've been looking through your letters again, and the first one I read was dated Nov 23. That goes back to Thanksgiving. I had a swell dinner that day. I guess that we had everything except our loved ones.
You also mentioned the song "No Love - No Nothing". I heard it for the first time today, and it's really a swell song, at least the lyrics are appropriate for us, aren't they? I feel the same was as the mode indicators, I'm all for it, honey, I just don't feel any other way.
By the way, I received the Birthday Card. It was so damn cute! I got a big kick out of it. Love is grand, darling, and I'm glad I'm in love with you, sweet you, regardless of the torture involved while we're apart. It's worth it, that's what I say, anyone as nice as you, Terry.
I also received the Christmas Message. Oh darling, I do wish I could get home for Christmas, to spend it with you, it would be perfect. And the gifts, darling, they were simply grand. You'll never know how much I'll cherish that little picture of you and your mom and dad. It's really a wonderful gift. And the scarf, darling, is so damn nice. I wore it today and some how I felt that you were near.
All of it was wonderful, sweetheart, you couldn't imagine how much excitement you caused. My pilot got impatient when I didn't open the packages fast enough for him.
The candy and cake are gone already, the wolves were at it. They said to thank you, and they all wanted to meet you. "Did you say she knitted that scarf?" and I said, "yes, how do you like it." They said, "is that her picture?" "By God, Jim, you've always been lucky, look at who you've got waiting for you." "I'd sure like to meet her!" I said "it wouldn't do any good, you couldn't get any place unless over my dead body." And they said "not a bad idea."
I haven't played the record. I'm going to have it played tonight, I'm waiting anxiously to hear it. And when you told me you were in bed with the flu, I must have worried because later something happened that made me think you were desperately ill.
I had an awfully high fever a few days ago. In fact, I've lost all track of things that happened these last few days. All I can remember is that I was home, couldn't wait to see you. But you weren't home, you were in the hospital, and when I went to the hospital, they wouldn't let me see you. They wouldn't let anyone see you. Then I said, "look I love her, she's my wife" but there was no record of our wedding, and it was too bad, but that's how things are. I was going crazy. I couldn't convince them that we were sweethearts, very much in love, that I just had to see you. When I woke up, I was still sweating, not sure that it wasn't true - and then I knew how I would feel if I lost you. It was as if they were pulling my heart out bodily. I couldn't stand to see you slipping away, while I was too far away to see you, to hold you in my arms, to kiss you.
Darling, I love you so. I hope nothing happens to you, but if anything ever does, let me know right away, and if there's any possible way to get home to you, I'll be there, at your side.
I hope you're feeling better now. That damn flu really pulls a person down. You don't know whether you're here or there, and you don't care much.
Darling, when you talk about our happy life together, children and a wonderful home, our love, our hardships and joys, together - it seems so glorious, so beautiful. All the times I thought I was in love, I know I was wrong now. I'll tell you why I know I've never been in love, really in love I mean. When I think of you, I not only think of a woman, a loveable, sweet, adoring person, but I also connect you with all the things so precious in life, things I mentioned alone. Suffering as one, so happy as one, so very much in love with each other. I picture the fights, we're going to have, those little misunderstandings that arise between people so very fond of each other, and then we'd make up again, and every thing would be forgotten, and we'd be happier than we'd ever been. I'd picture our first meeting after I came back, so gloriously happy, looking into each other's eyes, wondering, each of us, whether anything had changed things. Oh, my darling, you're so sweet, don't ever be any other way, stay as wonderful as you are.
I played the record just now, went over to the club and opened up the phonograph, it was swell, really deluxe to hear your voice again. I got such a big kick out of it. To me, you sounded like the sweetest voice in the world. I only regretted that you weren't as near as your voice sounded.
I've got the crew pictures now. Someone just brought them over. I'll be sending them right away. One is for us, that one will be yours. In case I don't get enough envelopes, I'll have to send all pics in one. I'll send them to my mom and I'll label "ours" so you'll know which one to take.
I'm leaving in a few short days. Can't tell you where, but I can tell you that it's in the states. I don't know how long we'll be at our staging station, maybe a week. Maybe more, maybe less, but I'll write as soon as I get there and let you know how things are.
Darling Terry, please forgive me for not writing more often. I know how I feel when I don't hear from you, but I try to make it up by a little longer letter. I know you understand, and I'll try very hard to write more often here after, or break my arm trying,
I'm going to say so long now, sweetheart, and please get better, get rid of that damn flu, and don't go to work until you feel tip top again.
I'll always love you Terry, remember that, won't you? Until next time, I'll be thinking of you always.
Your loving sweetheart,
Always,
Jim
November 12, 1943
Terry Darling,
Here it is another Saturday night, which doesn't mean a damn because I've got a schedule to meet at 0100 AM until 0300 and fly tomorrow. I had a helleva time in Amarillo Wednesday. I don't remember much of what happened, but I must of had a hectic time judging from all the razzing I've been getting. I'll learn to stay sober so that I can enjoy some of the messes I get into. Maybe next time I'll try it.
Sweetheart, I never dreamt that a ring could make anyone so excited and happy, but your happiness is mine and I'm so damn glad that you liked it. After all, it wasn't just an ordinary ring, was it? It meant a lot to us, so how can anyone blame us for being so wholly and completely insane with joy.
Terry, darling, whenever I write a letter like I did the last time, ignore the morbid parts, will you? It's the mood one gets into I guess - that's not good. If it weren't for a day of hell raising once in awhile, a fella could very easily be put away for good. This man of yours is not going to be one of them because every chance I get - I'm off on a merry go round and have one helleva time. I don't think I sit still for a minute where there's any time off and there's no flying to do. Believe me, I'm not alone, because the whole gang is out doing the same damn thing. I wished you could be here - baby, we'd really wind up panting because it's a long way around where we'd be going.
I'm sitting here looking at your picture - and I've got all I can do to calm myself. Your loveable smile on those kissable lips just about drives me wild. I can see where it's going to be touch on both of us when we get together. Do you think we'll be able to take it, honey? Frankly, I don't think I will, I'm not Superman and the way I feel, it'll take two men like him to love you the way I want to. Excuse the mistake - see what you do to me?
My mother was about as happy as both of us about our engagement. She thinks the world of you and so does Edith. In fact, they all love you. I hope I get along with your folks as well as you do with mine.
I don't think that will be very hard if they're anything like you. Tell them both that they've got a sweet, loveable, charming daughter, and they have my deepest appreciation for the fact that we met as we did. If it weren't for them, I would never have seen you. Tell them I'm glad they raised you to be such a sweet person - what I would have missed - I hate to think about it.
We ought to thank Helen for getting us together. If it weren't for her, we would still be strangers. Wouldn't that be terrible?
You asked me what I did during my off time. Well, darling, there are a lot of things I do when I have a few hours off. I bowl once in awhile or take in show in town. On the post, I drop in at the officer's club and have a few beers, and sometimes I knock heads with the major and the big boys in a game of poker. They play a mighty close game and I sort of sweat out my winnings.
So far they haven't been able to beat me, not even once, and I've got to be careful from now on because they'll be watching me, I don't much care whether I win a lot of money or not. I get a better kick out of beating the major at his own game. I don't think I ever got a bigger kick out of cards then I did the first game I sat in on. I sand bagged the old boy for well over a hundred on one hand. I had been making foolish mistakes (on purpose of course) all evening, making sure not to go in too deeply, until this one hand. When my chance came, I let him have it with full power on, and he watches me pretty close now. I don't think I'll ever be able to do it again.
Now, darling, don't get the idea that I'm gambling a lot because that's far from true. The only time I sit in is when I've got an early morning assignment, like tomorrow, and then instead of going to bed, I go over to the club and wait up until it's time. Any other time, I'd consider it a waste of time. See what I mean?
On my day off, I go to Amarillo. There, we usually get some medicine, go to a dance or a dive, and wind up in our hotel rooms, usually badly in need of sack time and stop lights. In other words, pretty much lite up and ready to call it a day.
As much as I hate to, I'm going to have to call this a letter. I love you, I love you, I do!
Always,
Jim
Here it is another Saturday night, which doesn't mean a damn because I've got a schedule to meet at 0100 AM until 0300 and fly tomorrow. I had a helleva time in Amarillo Wednesday. I don't remember much of what happened, but I must of had a hectic time judging from all the razzing I've been getting. I'll learn to stay sober so that I can enjoy some of the messes I get into. Maybe next time I'll try it.
Sweetheart, I never dreamt that a ring could make anyone so excited and happy, but your happiness is mine and I'm so damn glad that you liked it. After all, it wasn't just an ordinary ring, was it? It meant a lot to us, so how can anyone blame us for being so wholly and completely insane with joy.
Terry, darling, whenever I write a letter like I did the last time, ignore the morbid parts, will you? It's the mood one gets into I guess - that's not good. If it weren't for a day of hell raising once in awhile, a fella could very easily be put away for good. This man of yours is not going to be one of them because every chance I get - I'm off on a merry go round and have one helleva time. I don't think I sit still for a minute where there's any time off and there's no flying to do. Believe me, I'm not alone, because the whole gang is out doing the same damn thing. I wished you could be here - baby, we'd really wind up panting because it's a long way around where we'd be going.
I'm sitting here looking at your picture - and I've got all I can do to calm myself. Your loveable smile on those kissable lips just about drives me wild. I can see where it's going to be touch on both of us when we get together. Do you think we'll be able to take it, honey? Frankly, I don't think I will, I'm not Superman and the way I feel, it'll take two men like him to love you the way I want to. Excuse the mistake - see what you do to me?
My mother was about as happy as both of us about our engagement. She thinks the world of you and so does Edith. In fact, they all love you. I hope I get along with your folks as well as you do with mine.
I don't think that will be very hard if they're anything like you. Tell them both that they've got a sweet, loveable, charming daughter, and they have my deepest appreciation for the fact that we met as we did. If it weren't for them, I would never have seen you. Tell them I'm glad they raised you to be such a sweet person - what I would have missed - I hate to think about it.
We ought to thank Helen for getting us together. If it weren't for her, we would still be strangers. Wouldn't that be terrible?
You asked me what I did during my off time. Well, darling, there are a lot of things I do when I have a few hours off. I bowl once in awhile or take in show in town. On the post, I drop in at the officer's club and have a few beers, and sometimes I knock heads with the major and the big boys in a game of poker. They play a mighty close game and I sort of sweat out my winnings.
So far they haven't been able to beat me, not even once, and I've got to be careful from now on because they'll be watching me, I don't much care whether I win a lot of money or not. I get a better kick out of beating the major at his own game. I don't think I ever got a bigger kick out of cards then I did the first game I sat in on. I sand bagged the old boy for well over a hundred on one hand. I had been making foolish mistakes (on purpose of course) all evening, making sure not to go in too deeply, until this one hand. When my chance came, I let him have it with full power on, and he watches me pretty close now. I don't think I'll ever be able to do it again.
Now, darling, don't get the idea that I'm gambling a lot because that's far from true. The only time I sit in is when I've got an early morning assignment, like tomorrow, and then instead of going to bed, I go over to the club and wait up until it's time. Any other time, I'd consider it a waste of time. See what I mean?
On my day off, I go to Amarillo. There, we usually get some medicine, go to a dance or a dive, and wind up in our hotel rooms, usually badly in need of sack time and stop lights. In other words, pretty much lite up and ready to call it a day.
As much as I hate to, I'm going to have to call this a letter. I love you, I love you, I do!
Always,
Jim
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