22 Mar March 22, 1945

from: Mrs. G. Shonkwiler
to: Private George W. Shonkwiler.
March 22, 1945, Thursday night
Noteworthy: (1) Dad and Mom were married 6 months before he went in to the Army.
            (2) Mom would not mind having a 1/2 dozen boys.

Hello, honey,

Something exciting happens every minute around here, it seems.  Mr. Page just told me thieves broke into his car and (in front of our house) during the night and had scattered the contents of his briefcase all over the car, taken a flashlight and siphoned about eight gallons of gas out of his car.
Time out ---

I called the police a while ago and they just rang the bell, so I told them about it. They said they’d keep a look out and not to worry etc. My car is in the garage but there have been a series of robberies around Union and Low so I thought it best to report it so the squad cars would patrol this area

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more often. This being in the last house on the block isn’t the best thing in the world for a lonely girl. This sounds funny coming from me as I’m not very easily frightened.  But then I’ve never lived alone before either. Just doesn’t seem right that you should be sitting thousands of miles away doing a routine job like issuing passes and details when Ronnie and I need you so much more at home. Who am I to judge?

I’ve been ironing all afternoon and I just made a small dent in the stack so will continue tomorrow. I ironed at least ten sets of overalls and shirts for Ronnie alone plus several blouses of my own and a couple

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dozen sheets and cases and towels. Don’t know who uses all these things to get them dirty.

I was pretty tired by the time Ronnie woke up after his nap so after a little grocery shopping he and I went out to eat and had a lousy meal then went to the State Theater. We saw "Frenchman’s Creek" with Joan Fontaine and Arturo Cordova and "Army Wives" with Elyse Knox plus Popeye cartoon. Both pictures were good and of course I cried during "Army Wives". During the cartoon I just sit and watched Ronnie’s face as he just sits and laughs and laughs and it’s too cute for words. I only wish you could see him too. He was very good except that he had "to go" in the middle of the show.

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We went to the restroom hurried back so we didn’t miss much of the picture.

I just had coffee and apple pie upstairs a while ago. Seems I have a bedtime snack almost every night. I often wonder if you ever get to eat before bedtime and I remember how you and I used to sit and eat cake and milk or cake and cookies at night.  Sure seems like a long time ago doesn’t it?  Strange isn’t it to think the Army has had you for 13 months while I’ve only had you for 6 months. What does the Army have that I haven’t?
(Don’t answer that please!)

Last Sunday afternoon while we were eating Mr. Page told Ronnie to "keep his mind on his food"

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instead of gazing around". Ronnie looked at him with that look in his eyes and said, "I can’t eat with my mind"!  Isn’t our son clever? (Oh definitely. Look who’s raising him.)

I got a letter from Eleanor Johnson today which I’m enclosing. She had a boy when she had wanted a girl so badly. That’s one thing that can’t be predetermined I guess.  Oh well, I would not mind a half dozen boys. I guess if I could have my husband with me to help me bring them up. Although it would be nice to have a little girl too. I’d love to make cute clothes for her. Boys clothes aren’t as much fun to sew for some reason.

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Guess there’s no chance for original design which makes it uninteresting.

Am I getting good to my husband! A ten page letter last night and six pages tonight. You tell that Sergeant of yours he better write longer letters to his wife or he may lose her before he gets home. I know those letters of yours certainly give my spirits a lift when they arrive so keep them coming this way.  I didn’t get a letter today but I did get a "Stars and Stripes" from you and they are very interesting reading also. (That is outside of a letter which rates much higher.) Well good night, Darling. Just hang onto that. Love until I see you again.

Always yours, Mom and Ronnie.