Ramona Darling –

I love you. As Christmas nears, I think of you more and more in the midst of countless duties. I wonder how you are doing – and what you are doing. Had I a turn of poetry to speak to you in music I’d do it tonight. I am tired, and my mind won’t put forth the effort to say what is in the heart. But I never could say much by poetry. There is love and tender feelings deep in side which belong to you and there is a struggle because it is impossible to tender them to you. Our married life and our love is being crucified by this separation, caused by a crucifying war which has the world upset and violently destroying itself without reason or knowledge of the result. Hate begets hate. Love begets love. Let us try to stay by the latter, even though we may have to live with the former for a while.

I was too honest in selling our five extras – for a song. If your battery needs replacing, go to Sears and get the good battery they will allow an exchange rate.

Sweet you are very delightful in your letters. I like it when you tell me of what goes through your mind at Church, in your work, at home, in bed, etc., the describing of your actual thoughts silly as they may seem to you are of joy to me, for it is the things you have in your mind that is interesting, not what you read or what someone told you. Please give me more and intimate thoughts are a joy too. I love you darling and I too pray for many years of feasting upon that love. Tonight I had as my dinner guests a newly married couple (this morning) they were going through – had – no place to eat or to stay. I arranged quarters for them and took them to eat with me. He is a young Brooklyn soldier, she an Italian. I’ve convinced them a trip to Padre Pio tomorrow will add greatly to their honeymoon. They are going. I am evidently a convincing fellow. I enjoyed their company. I thought of us.

My love sweet is yours,

Bill