28 Mar March 28, 1944

Letter
from: Alice Shonkwiler
to: Pvt George W. Shonkwiler
March 28th, 1944, Tuesday, 8:00 p.m.

Hello, honey,
Ronnie dictating, "Hi, Daddy. I love you, Daddy." And me, too.

Eleanor is on nites again now, so I’m alone evenings again.  Poor little me.
I keep pretty busy sewing etc tho so I don’t get too lonesome as yet.
Mrs. Dixon came over last night and stayed until 1:00a.m.  Mr. Page had four
fellows upstairs playing poker last night.  I was about to join them when
Mrs. Page came home -- darn it.  Just can’t have any fun.

I cut Ronnie’s spring top coat last night and started sewing it today.  It’s
quite a job, only hope he’ll be able to wear it when I get thru.

Ronnie is having a big time right now at the window.  Marge is washing dishes
in her kitchen, and Ronnie is reading out of his book to her, long distance,
of course, from our living room.  Now he’s holding up his Teddy bear and panda
for her to see.

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While Eleanor was home, Ronnie got the pink and blue silk bow off my valentine
candy box and he asked her to put it on his head.  Wish you could see him, as
he makes an adorable girl.

12:00 Midnite
Marge came over and we’ve been sewing until about an hour ago.  She started a
hem on a dress, and I’m sewing Ronnie’s coat.  Seems I have so much company
lately, I don’t have time for my correspondence.  I missed writing yesterday,
but won’t let it happen too often.  I certainly miss your letters.  They’re
so few and far between.

It seems you’re really having a hectic time of it in your basic training.
I’ll bet you’re glad it’s almost over.  I think you’ll be one of the best
soldiers there when you get thru.  Tell them I said so!  And also that you
deserve some chevrons on your sleeve.  You’ll get them if anyone will, I know.

I’m anxiously waiting to hear from you concerning when I should come

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down to see you.  I hope you’ll say the 14th or 15th of April so I can see you
sooner, but I s’pose it will have to be later.

I bought Ronnie a pair of shoes finally.  I got them at a Tom McCann store near
63rd and Halstead.  They’re size 7.  And the ones he’s got now are 5 1/2 so
they should be large enough.  They look nice and have leather soles and white
leather uppers.

Is it cold evenings down there?  I won’t need anything heavier than a spring
coat, will I?  or Ronnie either.  I s’pose by next month it will be plenty warm.

We sure have funny weather here!  It’s raining tonight.  And all last week-end
we had a heavy snow storm.  Can’t figure this climate out at all.  (As you’ll
notice my pen leaks too.) I’ll try to buy you one over the week-end, as I’m
broke right now.  Will also try to get some of the other things you mentioned.

Well darling, it’s 12:30 and I’m rather sleepy so I’ll have to

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say goodnight.  (I’d do more than say it if you were here.)

We are always loving you,
Mommy and Ronnie.

P.S.
Don’t ever let us down.

P.S.
Almost had buttonholes made on the wrong side as I just about forgot that
men close their coats opposite from women.  You’d have been awfully angry
with me if I’d done that to Ronnie, (after all, he’s not a girl).