03 May May 3, 1945

Letter
from: Mrs. G. Shonkwiler
to: Pvt George W. Shonkwiler
May 3rd, 1945, Thursday night
Noteworthy: Mom as a housewife

Hello, honey,

Here’s that gal again! (The one and only, I hope!) Oh well, I’m not very
worried on that score as I know that we’re both old enough to know that we
should behave.  Or do people ever get that old?  Come to think of it, guess
age has nothing to do with it.  I guess love has more effect on our behavior,
and unless I feel differently when we meet again, I’m still in love.  (Am I
getting romantic?)  Must be the dream I had last night.  You kissed me and
such technique!  Somewhere in the dream I lost track of you, and it was awful
just to have seen you for a few minutes.  These dreams are so darn indefinite.
Not at all satisfying!  In the middle of it the phone rang early in the morning,
and although I went back to bed, just couldn’t start dreaming

Page two.
again.  I hope in reality when you get home, you’ll stick around a while.

Guess what I did today?  I painted half the bathroom with a peach tint,
Kemtone, and decided I didn’t like the stuff, so washed it all off!  Then
proceeded to wash walls, ceiling, tile, doors, and all.  Guess I’ll just leave
it, unless I get ambitious next week.  If so, I’ll buy real paint, as it’s much
easier to work with than Kemtone.  Now, so far I’ve washed all walls and
ceiling but the hallway.  Of course, I both washed and painted the kitchen.
Come to think of it I really should use that $50.00 money order you sent me on
myself as I’m pretty sure all my washing and painting would have cost more than
that.

page three.
Of course, my practical half knows I should save it for next Sept. tax bill,
but my frivolous side says to he-- with taxes, think of yourself for a change.
Guess I’ll split the difference and just buy myself a pair of shoes and maybe a
blouse.  I’m silly, aren’t I?  Of course you know that!

I’m enclosing some snaps of Ronnie and one of me.  Hope you like them?  By the
way I have a couple rolls of #120 film, which I’m sending you today.  Hope you
get them.  I’m also sending a box of powders.

How is your health these days?  Have you any ideas as to whether you’ll be
released after VE Day?  I’ve heard the army of occupation will be mostly
volunteers and that only young and healthy men will

page four.
be sent to the Pacific, so they’d better send you back.  At least I’m planning
on it very strongly.

I sometimes wonder when you come back whether you’ll still be reminding me
what a poor housekeeper I am and nag me for not getting ready on time and so
on and so on.  You’d better not, as I’d probably "blow up" after all these
months of doing things as I please.  Maybe for the first day or two it’ll
seem pretty nice having me around, but alas, I ’spect you’ll get used to me
again and forget you once wished you were here!  Or maybe I’ll become a
"nagging wife?"  Wouldn’t that be a novelty?  I doubt it, as I’ll probably
think you’re darn near perfect, on account of not having you around for so
long.

page five.
I’ll probably be so shy or bashful when you get home, you’ll have to "woo" me
all over again.  I’ll feel like a "wicked woman" having you even kiss me, it’s

been so long ago.

Well, guess I’d better be getting to bed, as it’s late.  I’ve been sewing on a
dress I started to make a couple months ago and Mr. and Mrs. Page have been
keeping me company.  She’s been shortening some shirt sleeves for him.  We
just had coffee, cheese, and bacon sandwiches, and donuts.

And now I’m going to my "little trundle bed."  Maybe I’ll dream some more.
Could be!

Well, good night, Sweetheart.

All my love and a kiss or two,
Mom and Ronnie.

Thanks again for the $50, darling.
P.S.
Ronnie says to tell you he saw "horsies" at the circus last week and that he is
a good boy and to give you a kiss for him, too.

P.S. Are you keeping enough money for yourself? I hate to think you’re sending
me what you need.