Ramona Darling:

It is Christmas Eve! In a few hours I will be going to Midnight Mass in a little Chapel near by. Mass is to be celebrated by a South African Army Chaplain. I will go to confession and receive Our Lord in Holy Communion at this Mass. Darling this whole evening, and the whole night is reserved for special thoughts of you. I am happy in a way. I have done a good days work, I have brought some cheer to some of the fellows. But I am happy for other reasons, they are all bundled up in you. Tonight, my world is in good order. Tonight, my mind is as near peace as it ever gets. Tonight, I know that your world is in good order, and that your mind is also at ease. I know all this, because you and I love our God, and we try to show that love in our hearts by first trying to follow His precepts in our everyday living. I know all this, because we are one in love and in labor for the good of others. Peace of mind and love and God means happiness.

If I could reach across the world tonight, I’d take your hand in mine and hold it til the heat of my love went tingling through your veins. I’d show you what it really means to be strong in faith and understanding. I’d hold you up between heaven and earth for all to see what faith and love and God can do. If I could reach across the world tonight, I’d put my arms around you and draw you gently, draw you tight, I would hold you firmly in my arms; I would look into your beautiful blue eyes; I would softly speak, “Ramona, I love you”’ and I would draw your lips to mine and gently kiss them. All this I would do this Christmas Eve and more. I’d ask the Angels of Heaven to sing to you, and I’d ask the Babe of Bethlehem to bless you, protect you, and increase your love for God and man. I’ll really ask for nothing short of sainthood for you.

Today I am six months in Europe and Africa. I had hoped on leaving you that six months would be all the time I would have to spend over seas. The war has moved much slower than was then anticipated. I feel that the European phase will not be concluded until June or July. Jerry has plenty of punch yet, and he is masterly in punching too. Naturally I would like to stay for the finish. But I have a very important job to do at home, and I might see it necessary to leave here before Jerry is beaten. A family is a very important thing to me. Then there are other things too. Did some one say life begins at forty? For us there has been so little together, for us there must be much more. Darling, did you ever wish for eternal youth? That is not the answer, but it has something of what I mean.

Your beautiful Christmas letter came today, Christmas Eve! Just as you wished it dear. I feel you have excellent connections with the A.P.O.’s for this is the second time that your timing was perfect. I’ve read it once, but I am saving the thorough reading for tomorrow. It is the loveliest letter you have ever written to me, and perhaps to anyone. It has more of yourself in it than I have ever seen in writing before. That letter with your picture is little short of your own dear self being here with me through Christmas. I am sorry that I did not try to get a special letter to you for your Christmas pleasure. In fact I did plan it, also a letter to read to the folks when they came to our party. But things did not turn in their favor, consequently no letters. I am very negligent of every one at home. I should write many letters while here, but I just cannot get to them.

I want you to tell Nancy and Paul how much I appreciated their fine Christmas thoughts, and their spiritual gift. Cassie’s cake is excellent, I sampled it today. We will have a party tomorrow. Eileen Arndt sent a nice box of sweets which will contribute to our pleasure too. A box of candy came from Leo’s family, and Marcella sent me a pair of pajamas, they were the only things I could think of needing since I didn’t bring anything but rags with me. They are very nice, but I should have anticipated the weather and had her get them wool lined. However they are very satisfactory, for I sleep between wool blankets. Then there was your lovely picture, which gives me no end of pleasure. It fits perfectly in my shirt pocket yes over my heart where you wanted it to go. Those are all the things I have received to date. I am very grateful for all and I hope you will tell all the dear people who sent them that I appreciate every one very much. You know I have said so often that I have no needs, that is still true. I can buy every thing I need here, but every pound of stuff becomes that much more of a responsibility. There are some things which I brought over that I have not yet used nor will use. If friends ask to send me things explain that I am trying to get my baggage down to a minimum, so when I come home I can carry my baggage with me. Oh, yes, Carl and Ann sent me a box of delish chocolate covered nuts. I told you about them.

Ramona darling, I wish we could be together tonight! The joy of having you near me would make this awful war seem very distant rather than just over the mountain. For a while at least I could forget and we could cuddle up close and relive memories and plan new ones. Half way around the world you are, thank God there has been progress in travel since Columbus. When I return it will not take me long once I start the journey. Six months is a long time to be away, but I am glad six months is behind rather than ahead. From here on we can count the weeks, and Ramona Sweet, it won’t be too hard, I’m sure. I love you and long to be with you again. My Christmas devotion tonight is for you and for peace in the world. May the Christ Child really bless you.

Love,
Bill