Mom in her first kitchen of married life, 1946

Coffee was a daily ritual in Dad's life,  in the morning, with lunch and as a snack with crackers added.  When he was at a nursing home the last year it was the first thing he asked for when we visited.



9 September 1944
India

My darling Grace,

I received and am at this time answering your letter dated the 25th of August.  In this letter you tell me all about "Old Settlers Reunion."  To me it sounds like a very nice place to spend an evening.  You tell me all about those rides there.  I do not care so much for em though.  Too high and rough.  There is only one ride I like and that is a ride my mom took me on when I was just a kid.  The name of the ride was "Mill on the Floss" although I think a more appropriate name would have been "Tunnel of Love."  I haven't been on that ride since my mom took me.  I am looking forward to the time that I will be able to take you.  Is that a date hon?  I too am crazy about the Merry Go Round only I think it would look funny, a big guy like me.

You mean to tell me that on one of the days they do not have any mail delivery? Do they have mail delivery on Sundays?

I think that you will be a very smart girl if you major in Home Economics instead of math cause H.E. will do you a lot more good.

Gee hon, do you mean to tell me that you have received already that China, Burma and India bracelet?

Last night I saw the picture "This Is The Army."  I fell asleep when they were singing "I'm Getting Tired so I could Sleep."  So I missed writing you a letter.  In fact, honey, I intentionally did not write you. I was trying to break myself of writing you so often.  I guess I can't do it cause today I was not at ease at all, all day.  I don't know what is the matter with me.  I don't know why I am so infatuated by you.  I hope you do not feel about me like I do about you cause I'm not good.  I'm a big wolf who makes eyes at every skirt that goes by.  I've changed since I have been going with you and I do hope I remain true to you always.  So far since I've known how you feel for me I promise that no other person will come between you and I.  I want you not only to like me but to love me like I do you.  Our love will grow together even though we are far apart.

Today we had an Inspection.  I was not able to stand for it cause I had a lot of work that had to be done.  This evening I went to the show and saw "Summer Storm" with George Sanders.  I didn't like it so very much.

Well my darling I guess I've said my piece and I do hope I haven't talked too much.  Good night my dearest darling, I remain yours always and
ever,
Ray

I'm sure mom learned much from her mother, Stella

Our Castle

Ray notes on the photo

Eventually the question of where to live was settled.

6 September 1944
India

Hello my only one,

I received finally a letter from my dearest darling.  It was such a wonderful letter.  I read it over and over again.  To hear from you is like getting a pass home to you for five minutes.

I'm sorry darling you had so much trouble to get home.  Too bad I could have not been with you then we would be able to pass the time better.

Oh yes at this time I am answering your letter dated the 21st of August.  Darling I don't mean that I don't go out, cause I do and have a fairly good time.  I only said I'll keep away from the girls here cause I care too much for you to tangle with someone else.  (That is no line, I swear.)

Honey I only hope I could live up to that level you place me in when you compare me with others.  I'll not let you down, I hope.

Apologize please darling to David Taylor. I'm sorry that both of us cannot yave you and that I wish he finds someone half as good as you are to hang on to hon.  I'm sorry we hurt the poor guy.  I know that I would have felt awful bad if I ever lost you.

I will quote you on a paragraph I could not make sense out of.  "I know Chicago must be wonderful.  I'm looking forward to seeing ti someday."  then it continues "In one letter you talked about Texas etc.  And whether I would want to live int he city or not?  Listen, if you ever thought about living on a farm well I don't know what I"d do, but I would."  Explain to me what you mean by that.

Today another routine day of work and hoping that every day that goes by brings me closer to you.  This evening we had some ice cream.  We get ice cream about 5 times a month.  It sure was good.

I'm in charge of quarters and so I'm listening to the radio as I write.  The Army runs its own radio station here.  So we get some pretty good radio programs.

I haven't anything more to say my darling so I guess I'll close sincerely with all my love.

Always
Ray

5 September 1944
India

My darling,

Another day is drawing to an end.  I have not received any mail now for about one week.  It seems more like a month.  Days seem to pass quickly but the don't seem to pass quick enought, it seems oh so very long before I'll get to see you.  Instead of being here writing to you I wish I was with you.  I'd have so much to tell you that I just can't put down on paper.

It was just another day of work for me.  Same old routine.  Day in and day out.  This evening I wet to the show with a buddy of mine who helps me eat your candy.  He wants to know when I will get some more, and I said as soon as I get the sugar.  Now to get back to the show.  I saw the picture "A Night at Earl Carroll's."  It was a pretty good musical and had a lot of pretty girls.  Seeing that picture only made me want to be with you.

Well darling I guess you have started college all ready.  Give me the low down.  How do you like it?  Is it a lot of fun living in a dormitory etc.?

Honey I haven't got any more to say only that I sure do miss you.

yours always,
Ray

4 September 1944
India

My darling Grace,

Another day has passed still no word from you.  It seems so long ago that last I heard from you.  Gee I miss your letters very much.  I look forward till the morrow cause then the mail call might bring me some mail from you.

Dad's mother, Bessie and his older brother, Chester

I received a letter now from my oldest brother, he is in France now and is still OK.  I figure your brother should be there also.  I also received a letter from a girl I have been writing to in Dubuque, Iowa.

Mom's brother WR in 1963 when he had come home for the youngest brother's funeral, Warren Earl.  He was the first fire fighter killed in the LA Watts riots.

Gee honey every day the war news gets better and better.  It looks like it soon will be over in Germany.  I hope so and then all we have to do is whip the Japs and then I'll be coming home to you.  Well that is if you want me.

Remember my telling you last night I was going to go and see the show "A Guy Named Joe?"  I saw instead "Last Plane from Chungking."  It wasn't so very good.  It was one of those 3rd class pictures.

Today at the show is playing "Song of Bernadette."  I saw that picture back in the states.  I really did like it.  Did you see it?

Gee darling I don't know what to say.  I haven't heard from you and so maybe your feelings for me have changed.  My feeling toward you are still the same.

I think I'll close now honey so till tomorrow I remain yours always,
Love
Ray

In the years to come visits back to Whiteflat, Texas will include Sunday dinners.

Dan, Aunt Doris, Mom, Grandmother (Stella), Uncle Tom (Jr.) and Granddaddy, (Tom)

gather around the table.  Large glasses of sweetened ice tea were a must.

3 September 1944
India

My darling,

This is Sunday afternoon.  I just got finished with my work and so I figured I'd better write you.  I have not received any mail from you in three days.  Hardly any mail has been getting here in the past week.

Last night was the first time I think that I have not written you.  I know that if I did miss a day before I would write two letters the following day.  I do not have the time today.  I am so dreadfully sorry.  I was up early this morning went to church, did not eat breakfast cause I did not want to miss mass.  After church I went to work but before I started to work I listened to the Intelligence Radio to get the latest War News as the Army gets it.

The news seemed pretty good to me.  It doesn't seem like the War with Germany can last much longer.  After I finished listening to the news I started to work.  I worked until 5 pm then I had a little time before supper to start this letter.  I couldn't finish it so I finished it after supper.

I suppose you are wondering why I did not write yesterday.  You see honey I went to town to buy a few souvenirs to send to some people who treated me awful swell when I was knee high to a grasshopper.  They took us out to the country etc.  That was something to a city kid like me.

Tonight I think I'll go see "A Guy Named Joe."  I saw it once but I think I'll see it again.  Honey, I just can't express in words how much I miss you.  I do so want to be with you.  They have buggies here honey that are used for transportation.  Yesterday as I rode along I looked at such a nice big wonderful moon that shone so bright.  I wished so that I had you beside me.  i would hold you so tight that although there was two of us it would look like one.

Well darling I do not have anymore news for today so I guess I'll close.  I do hope I have a letter from you tomorrow.

Love as always and ever,
Ray

With oceans of love and a kiss on every wave.
S.W.A.K.

1 September 1944
India

My darling,

Well darling another day has passed and no word from you.  At this time I am answering your last letter that I have.  I hope my rationing will be replenished tomorrow.  You know I ration your letters I answer one each day.

I am giving you an answer to your letter dated August 17th.  Post marked the 18th.  In this letter you mention receiving 3 letters from me while you were ironing some clothes.   Why did you have to finsih the piece you were ironing before you could read my letters?

What do you mean I was just part of a man and not a coward.  I'll have know I'm all man.  I guess that's all it took when the Japs saw big lanky six footer like me coming to India.  They just took a powder.

I received a letter from one of my buddies in China.  He thinks we should be home for Xmas 1946.  I hope he is wrong and we get home sooner.  I can't stand this being away from you.  I think of all the wonderful times we could have had instead.

Just think darling I am only 11,145 miles away from you and I can't get home to you.  By plane it should take about 5 days and by ship about 2 months. 

Gee darling the way the news sounds it doesn't seem like the German end is far off.

I found some old magazines and found this picture.  I made me think of you.  Well darling I have no more news so I think I shall close with a kiss inthe return for the one you sent me.  (Watch it, I have a cold sore.)
all my love
Ray
as always

Plans for the Future

Mom's plans for the future must have included her and Dad walking the streets of Matador, Texas 

with her children, beginning with me.

31 August 1944
Somewhere in India

Dearest Grace,

I did not receive a letter from you today, but I did receive a box of candy from someone I really do like very much.  Yep, it finally did arrive.  It sure was good.  The fudge is slightly too old.  It was all crumbly.  The other candy sure was good.

I am at this time answering your letter dated the 15th of August.  So you big baby, you want to go home to mother.  I'm going to have to cure you of that.  You will have to stay home with me and look after me.  I'm a guy who needs looking after.  Will you look after me?  That will be the interest you will have, me.  I hope.

Gee, hon, how I wish I was back with you again.  It would be like heaven, you and I.  Say hon, how far is that college you are going to from Matador?

Gee, dearest, I feel so ever close to you when I write I feel like I am talking directly to you.  I received a letter from the folks telling me that they sent you the picture that I told em to. I hope you received it in the best of condition.  My sincerest love goes with that picture to you, my Grace.

What have you got planned for out future?  Something good I'll bet.  Honey, we don't have much of a past to write about about nor do we have much of a present but darling the future is all ours and no one can take those thoughts away from us.

I want you honey to send me for my birthday a picture you had taken just recently of yourself.  A nice big one so I could have it standing on my desk here in the office.  Your other picture I keep in my left hand shirt pocket.   It goes everywhere I go.  I always keep asking for something and I know it cost money so I'll send you a money order also.  Save your money for our future.  Buy something you need with the change, like chewing gum for instance.  I know it will seem funny to you to accept my money but if I did not mail it home I would spend it foolishly.  My birthday is the 20th of October so don't forget my picture.

I haven't anything more to say honey so I guess I'll close with all my love and thoughts.

Ray