22 Oct October 22, 1944

Letter
from: Mrs. G. Shonkwiler
to: Pvt George W. Shonkwiler
Oct. 22, 1944
Sunday Nite 10:00 P.M.
Noteworthy: The importance of Ronnie to Mom. Mention of the book about the
German occupation of Poland.

Hye, honey,

Here I am again!  I’m still writing every night.  It’s rather discouraging
sometimes when I stop to think that you’re not receiving very many of them,
but then again I figure that if I stop writing every day,  you may get even
less, and I know how I feel when I get letters so seldom.  It is now more than
a week since I’ve had a letter from you.  It seems you’re really slipping on
your end of the line, unless you’ve been moved again, which I hope is not so.

Bobby came over early this morning while Ronnie was eating his breakfast, and
when he finished, they went outside to play.  First they had a fight over
Bobby’s car, then after a while they had a sand fight, and Ronnie got his eyes
and mouth full and came home crying.  Then they had a fight over

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Ronnie’s train.  More excitement.  Then after a while I had a heck of a time
getting Ronnie to come home for lunch and his nap.  After his nap, the Hayes[es]
came over and asked me to go for a walk and to have supper at their place.  I
said I’d take a walk with them, but only to mail your letter, and not for
supper.  We were all set to go, when Elinor and her sister Vy came, and so I
didn’t go with them.  Of course Elinor had just stopped to pick up some clothes
as she and her sister were going downtown to stay for a couple of days to shop
and to visit her aunt in Forest Park.

I had baked an apple pie this afternoon and had some ice cream in the
refrigerator, so Ronnie and I had green beans, sandwiches and pie and ice cream
for supper.  Bobby came over, and so he got in on the dessert, too!

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Mrs. Dixon had given me a couple pieces of cherry pie last week, so when I
returned the plate tonight, I gave her a couple pieces of pie.  They said it
was good (or were they flattering me).  We stayed there for a while and [then]
we all went down the basement to watch the electric train.  Ronnie is all eyes
when it goes around the track.  His eyes light up, and he laughs and is all
excited.  I asked Dim if he’d set up his lights some night and I could take a
picture of Ronnie watching the train.  Maybe this week, and I’ll send you the
pictures when I get them.

This was the extent of my day and evening so far.  Ronnie is sound asleep, and
here I am!

My cold is practically gone now, except that I’ve acquired a lot of canker
sores in my mouth and on my lip.

I’m still trying to get #120 film, but so far I’m out of luck.

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I’m reading, "While We Still Live" by Helen McInnis.  It’s very good, and is
about the German occupation of Poland in this war, and how the underground and
guerrillas in Poland live, get food, weapons, and shelter, despite the
devastation of the invaders.  It’s very interesting and tells about espionage
and counterespionage in Poland.  It really gives a person something to think
about and makes you realize how the Poles have suffered throughout both wars.

Can’t think of anything more to write, as my normal routine day is pretty dull

and unexciting.  If it weren’t for Ronnie I’d give up completely, but he
distracts my worries, and we have a lot of fun.

Please write and tell me all about yourself, and if you’re well, etc., and if
you’re behaving as you should, on account of I love you lots and lots and lots
and lots.

Goodnight, honey,
Mom and Ronnie