February 24, 1945 Saturday

Dear One,

                I imagine you’re getting accustomed to me starting off by saying it’ll be short, but if you aren’t, you better get that way because that’s the way it always seems.  I enjoyed your letter and the Mother’s Prayer.  It is a mindful thought.  It’s good to know too that you’re not being put on a shelf while you’re so young.  I’m saying in other words, I feel better knowing you can get out once in awhile, like this coming dance (past now)-formal and all.  With the Navy maybe you know by now you have to watch these sailors (no joke).  What I don’t understand is why you even thought of hesitating.

                Hon, I don’t feel so good about saying it-maybe I already have, but I guess I’ve been out of circulation so long is the reason but it seems that such things as this last topic of “7^th Heaven” are so far from me that I don’t think of them so much anymore.  I think of such things in the past, but the future is hazy.  There are things that remind me of though like last night.  I guess it’s the first time since I’ve been in the Navy, but Sue Russel and I went to a dance.  I’ve danced a minute or so at the U.S.O. now and again.  But, you can’t even count that.  Her girlfriend’s man had a car so we went to “Tune Town” one of the outstanding dance spots of this city.  Les Brown was there with his outfit and everything clicked off so nice that I had to pinch me to see if the Hyer lad was really there.  This Sue Russel is a High School girl and it’s surprising how much younger they seem to me now.  Full of life-always talking-more life than she knows what to do with.  I’m wondering if I’ve changed more than I thought or just High School here is young.  Standing by the bandstand listening to his work sure reminded me of similar times in Ogden.

                I’ve wondered about Clair and Luella myself and I’ve never had the word from Jim on how home and Nola was-same or otherwise.  You know, I haven’t even talked to Prod since the Jax campaign.  But I’m waiting anxiously for his address.

                Yep everybody’s getting spliced back home.  As you say-who’s next? As for you being an old maid, there’ll be plenty of hands willing to latch on to such a female as the likes of you and never forget it.

For now same as ever,

Paul