My Darling Bill,

Happy, happy New Year, and that means New Year at home. Darling I am so anxious for your return. I miss you every turn I make. Whether I am alone or with friends I miss you; whether I go to church or to a party, I miss you. I just miss you in every way you can think of. I miss having you to talk things over with. I miss your love and affection. Bill my whole life revolves around you.

This war is a cruel and unnecessary thing and little, if any good can come out of it. Every man over there is the world and all to someone and as I look at the New Year I am afraid this old world seems to be a pretty sick and sorry place. Father Little preached a very sad sermon this morning and I guess it made me sad too. After all the world is in a pretty sorry mess. I am glad that the role you play is one of bringing comfort and solace to many rather than one of violence.

Darling Miss Chenoweth just called me and asked particularly to be remembered to you when I wrote. She did not get to the party due to a misunderstanding and a cold too. She is a great admirer of yours. Sweet I hope you are home for our Wedding Anniversary for I think we will have friends in then if possible. Oh Bill I would love to kiss you and to be kissed too.

I am enclosing a clipping about Roy Hendrickson. He will be a good one to keep in touch with. He is to be a member of the agency that will have to do with reconstruction and rehabilitation. I had a chat with Mrs. Hendrickson during the holiday and I hope to have them for supper sometime soon. They have all been sick.

Libby and Catherine Caldwell came out last night to keep me company for a little while and they never went home until 12:45. I was so sleepy I could hardly keep my eyes open. We saw the New Year in as we drank cocoa and ate crackers. There was no celebration here in Bethesda. All was quiet and I guess most people decided to get a good nights sleep as most offices were open today though the stores were closed. I am going to stop in Marie Ozabals this evening about 6 as she is having Open House then. I hate things like that without you. I only miss you more but she came to our party despite the bad weather and I will go there. I am going to Confession afterwards and then come home to a quiet evening by myself. I did the usual cleaning that I do on Saturday today and I am enjoying the Opera as I write to you. They are singing Traviata and it is beautiful. Darling God grant we will have the chance to listen to a lot of lovely music together when you come home.

I must get a new ribbon for this one is getting a bit worn and hard to see. I mailed a V this morning that I wrote last night. I do hope that mail is getting through to you now. There was one delivery today but I was not lucky. The mail is usually here before I go to school but lately it has been very late so it will be Monday evening before I get a letter now. I am anxious to hear but I am always anxious to hear from you. Your letter written Dec. 2 was a delightful one sweet I have read and re-read it and each time I find it more lovely.

Joe Keller called me to tell me his mother was quite sick with the flu and he was much upset about it but she is now better. He left his ration books for me to get some meat on as the points ran out yesterday and I went to the store there in the apartment and got some meat for him and some butter and tuna fish for us. Later Mr. Maynard called and offered me more points last night, but no one could find any meat to buy last night for people had saved their points and the drain on the meat supply was heavy enough to exhaust it for a few days. Well I have all I need. My needs are few. I would rather save and have things when you come home. Yesterday I bought us another $50 bond.

Bill being separated from you has been a real sorrow but it has been made easy as possible by you. Your very nature, your honesty and faithfulness, your thoughtfulness and love have made it possible for me to carry on many times when I was most discouraged and lonely. There are not many couples darling who can bear such a separation without damage. We are indeed blessed in many ways and one of our greatest blessings is our love for one another. Indeed it is the greatest one for it makes all life rich and wonderful. It could not be as it is if was not for the greatness and beauty of your character. Bill your wife is one of your greatest admirers. You see she loves you very much.

Darling I am stopping now and hope to find time to write again this evening. Until then dear heart I send you all my love by the young new moon tonight. Would I could bring it to you myself. Well the new year is here now. God speed the spring and bring you home.

Again Happy New Year my darling husband and all my love.

Your,

Ramona