07 Jun June 7, 1945

Letter
from: Mrs. G. Shonkwiler
to: Pvt. George W. Shonkwiler
June 7, 1945, Friday night, 9 p.m.

Hello honey,

Was so thrilled to get two letters today, (dated May 28th and 30th), but
when I started to read the first, I was almost sorry I’d received it,
because I felt so blue after reading it. Don’t ever say again that you’d
like to jump in a lake or do away with yourself in any fashion. You scare
me to death, saying things like that.

I had my second colitis treatment today. They seem to do me a lot of good.
In fact, I got up at 7:20 this morning feeling

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like a lark and finished my ironing and did a little sewing and so on.
Your letter really got me down, however, and at present, I feel lower
than I ever did.

I realize, of course, that your headache and boil on your head had a lot
to do with it.  So I hope that your mood has passed by now. How did the
boil come out? Or was it one? I know when I don’t feel well, (like the
past three weeks for instance), I get down in the dumps too. Then when I
feel better and can think more rationally, I decide we

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both could be a lot worse off than we are.  Just think how badly you could
have been injured.  Some of these boys will spend the rest of their days
in a hospital, and you do have a future, even if it’s a long way off to
plan on.  Then there are other boys who have lost their wives, either by
divorce or otherwise.  Some have lost their children.  You and I have each
other, plus an adorable little boy.  Both should be worth waiting for.  As
for close friends, you and I are in the same boat.  I don’t have one real
friend that I can

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trust for sure.  Of course there is Marge, but then she has so many other
friends and relatives, plus Murray, that I don’t see her very much.  When
she and Murray do stop in, it’s only for a short visit, as Murray must get
home early for his rest.  And then, again, I always wonder whether she’s
just being nice to me because of you and Ronnie and so on.  Of course I
have the neighbors, but they are all much older than I.  So you see, I
don’t live the life of Riley either.  I do have Ronnie, and that is a
compensation.  But if you remember right, that when you

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and he were alone before my coming you didn’t feel that that was an
ideal setup either.  Of course I only see him at meals anyway.  He’s
so busy with his gang of chums and girlfriends, morning, noon, and night.

This morning he went outside to play by himself in the backyard, and you
should have heard him singing away, "My dreams are getting better all
the time." I didn’t know where he learns these songs, but I suppose he
catches them on the radio.  He came in for breakfast at 8.30, then at
9.30 out again,

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although, this time, Bobby and Johnny Olson, Tammy Ivan, and Jennifer
Nirkhe were in the backyard too.  Mrs. Dixon had gone away, and I had
to look out for Bobby.  So that’s why Bobby didn’t insist on playing at
his house.  What a racket.  Every two minutes someone was crying, and

one or the other would tattle on the other, which is something I ignore
because they’re all just as full of the dickens.  Even Ronnie can hold
his own in a wrestling match now.  I’ll bet the "dutchess" (next door),
was fit to be tied.  Every time a plane went

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by overhead, the whole gang would make noises like a Tommy Gun and shoot
the Japs down as they called it.  I’ll bet it seems funny to you to even
think of Ronnie other than as a little baby, doesn’t it?  Even a year
makes quite a bit of difference at his age.  You’d be astonished at his
vocabulary as there is very little he can’t make you understand now.
In fact, he can converse quite intelligently when he wants to.

About the time Mrs. Dixon came home, (about 11:45), Ronnie hit Bobby
on the head with a truck

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and away went Bob, and just before that, Jennifer and Tommy had left.
So, Johnny and Ronnie kept on playing until 12:30 when I called Ronnie
for lunch.  He didn’t want lunch, he wanted to go over to Johnny’s house.
He came in, however, and was a good boy and ate all his lunch.  I s’pose
should have spanked Ronnie for hitting Bobby, but I didn’t as Bob has
been teasing him all morning and had it coming.  I did make him tell Bob
he was sorry, though.  It’s hard to mediate their disputes as all kids

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are selfish and they don’t get over it until 10 or 11 years of age.
Or so I’ve read (I guess some people never do get over it).
However, I didn’t think that applies to either you or I.  Or am I
wrong?  The Pages went out tonight and I’m alone as usual. Gosh, I
wonder how it would feel to get all dressed up and go out for a change.
I haven’t even seen a good show for a month.  It’s almost 10 o’clock and
believe it or not, I think I’m going to bed.  I have a lot to do tomorrow
and perhaps if I get started early enough I’ll be through in time for
Ronnie and me

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to attend a movie.  If it wasn’t such a tiresome trip for Ronnie, I’d
attempt going to the loop as out here I’m always seeing pictures I saw
years ago.

I notice your letters are no longer censored, which must be a relief for
you.

I’m glad you liked the billfold, but sorry you can’t use it.  Do you
intend to sell it?  I hope not, but if you do, just remember that I paid
$7.50 plus 20% luxury tax for it, and don’t take any less.  Ordinarily
I wouldn’t quote the price of a gift, but in this case I don’t want you
to lose anything on it as per former

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sales.

Come to think of it, perhaps I can scare up a few clothes to send you
although I’m so afraid you’ll get in trouble, although I see no reason
why you can’t sell your own things.  Anyway, I guess the French make
plenty on you fellows too.

As for Chanel #5 perfume, just forget it, as I had no idea it was so
expensive.  By the way, just for curiosity sake, how much did you pay
for the perfume you sent me?  It smells very nice,

I enjoyed the description of the boys you live with as it helps me

picture things

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in my mind.  I particularly enjoyed my husband’s description and proud
to know that he’s behaving and also that he loves me a little. I can
readily see that being true would make you unpopular with fellows who
are trying to find excuses for their own behavior.  Just don’t let it
get you down and someday we’ll show them all that it pays in the long run,
if not present. At least I hope so and if we both try hard enough and
believe in it long enough, we’ll manage somehow. Good night, darling,
and sweet dreams to the dearest man I know,

love,
Mom and Ronnie.