27 Nov November 27, 1944

Letter
from: Mrs. G. Shonkwiler
to: Pvt George W. Shonkwiler
Nov. 27, 1944, 10:45 P.M.

Darling,

Today has been rather a dreary day, as well as yesterday.  It’s been raining a
little, and the sun hasn’t been out at all.

Because of the weather, I didn’t wash today, and Mrs. Page is washing tomorrow,
so I guess I’ll wait until Wed.

I took a walk this morning with Ronnie to mail your letter, as the Pages left for
La Grange Sat. nite and didn’t return until tonite.  You see Mr. Page mails your
letters now that Elinor is gone.  That accounts for my having to mail your letter
myself.  Beg your pardon, Ronnie put your letter in the box, in fact, in [and]
insists on mailing Daddy’s

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letters.

The North Shore employees have been on strike up to this morning, and that’s the
reason the Pages couldn’t get back last night.  They had forgotten about the
strike.

I don’t know what to do, whether to take Judy to a "vet" or not, as I’m pretty
sure she’s "that way."  She lies on her back most of the time, now, and she is
"big!"  Why do all these things happen while you’re away?  I won’t know what to
do with her or the pups either -- gee whiz!

Know what I’ve been doing since Ronnie went to bed at 8:00 o’clock?  I’m making
stuffed toys, and it’s more fun!  I just finished a red and white cat, with ears,
tongue and all.  I’m making them for my nieces, and may make some for Claude’s
and Norma’s youngest.  That is if i have

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time.  Stuffed toys are so expensive.  They cost from 2 to 5 dollars just for
little, tiny animals.  The ones I’m making are a foot high and I’m making them
out of scraps of cloth I have on hand, except for cotton filling, which doesn’t
amount to much.  I have to cut corners somewhere this Christmas, so this is one
way.

Veda Campbell called this morning and said she was having a few ladies in for [a]
luncheon next Wed. and asked if I’d come, too.  I said yes, as I had no other
plans.  I s’pose I’ll have to have some of these luncheons myself if these
invitations keep up.  I hate to think of it, as I know I’ll be busy from now
until Christmas sewing etc.  I’m making a lunch cloth and six napkins for Marge
for Christmas.  I guess that will have to do for Murray too.  I have no idea what
to get my brother and Betty, as yet or even Ronnie for

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that matter.  It won’t be a whole lot, I’m sure.  I hope to at least have a
Christmas tree, but I’m wondering how much they’ll sell for this Christmas.

I just can’t seem to get enthused about Christmas this year.  I’ve heard the
saying it takes a woman to make a home, but I’ve come to the conclusion a man
should be around too.  Maybe it’s just because I got used to having you around,
Could be?  Guess I lost my independence when I met you, and now I need you to
depend on.  If you stay away much longer I’ll be too independent to live with
when you get back.

I waited for both morning and afternoon mail today, but no luck!  Then at 6:00

o’clock Mr. Hahm (lives next door to Dixon’s) came over and lo and behold

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he brought a letter from my Sweetheart.  It had been put in their mailbox.  Sure
was a nice surprise [at] that time of day.  You mentioned getting 8 letters -- 7
from me.  How does it feel to get so many at once.  Does it make you love me just
a little bit more?  You mentioned not liking V-mails.  I feel the same way, but
[I] did send you a few to see if they were quicker.  Will just send air mail
after this, as long as the time is the same.

[I] See where you’re drinking french champagne.  Just think how some people here
would like to have some of that imported stuff.  Can’t say that I like champagne,
altho it’s good in a cocktail.  Just be a good boy and don’t drink too much, as
I want your stomach to get better, not worse, so you can really do justice to my
cooking when you get here.

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Marge called tonite and asked how my cold was, as she hadn’t seen or heard from
me since Thanksgiving Day.  It’s a little better, but I’ve still got it, of
course.  Can’t seem to shake it.

How is your health,now that you’re sleeping in mud, rain, etc.  Seems as tho you’d
have pneumonia by now.  I get so worried sometimes I almost go "berserk."

Maybe lots of nice things will happen to us after this war and we’ll consider all
these sacrifices worthwhile.  I hope so.

Well, Darling, now I’m going to bed and pray for your safe return, and that
you’ll be with Ronnie and me again very soon.

Goodnight, honey, and hope I’ll have a nice dream of you tonight.

Love always,
Mom and Ronnie