Saturday, July 14, 2012

Right now I'd like to be able to give you a big kiss

Perry and Gene with first 4 children (far right)
at a family gathering in Salt Lake City, 1951
July 6, 1945

Dearest Gene,

Little disappointed--no letter for the last two days. I usually feel like a letter from you is necessary before I can write a very good one, but I've already missed one day so I guess I hadn't better delay any longer. I got paid yesterday so I guess I'll send you my tithing for the last three months. I would send it today in this letter but the post office was closed for inspection so I'll probably send it in a separate letter tomorrow or Monday. Are you keeping my tithing receipts? I could also send some to go in with our savings, but I think I'll wait until I get a little more. I surely haven't been able to save much it seems. I just got my own personal debts paid and just started getting caught up when I came back to the states and really went through it. I surely don't regret that however, I'm sure you know.

The condition is getting worse here. It's so hot and with so many passengers aboard we use so much water that there wasn't enough for the boiler. Now you are lucky if you can even get a saltwater shower. Don't even have any to brush your teeth in unless you swipe some out of the scullery or some other place where it is available. Most of the time, not all, we have had enough to drink though and last night that was even shut off.

Well, I guess as long as we don't run out of food, such as it is, and I can live with the hope of coming back to see you before too long, I guess I can get along quite well. Anyway, there is nothing seriously wrong with this situation, but it can surely be mighty unpleasant.

Well Sweetheart, I guess that isn't a very good way to write a letter. It surely isn't the kind of a cheerful letter you like, is it? I surely wouldn't want you to worry or be too concerned because things aren't quite as bad as they will probably sound to you. Guess it's just the mood I am in. Conditions in general have made me rather disgusted.

Have you found another job yet? I surely do hope you can find something satisfactory, something that you will enjoy doing. How do you like your new little home? You never did tell me what the address was. Do you have a telephone there? I would surely like to pop in on you some night and surprise you. It looks like it is going to be longer until I can see you than I thought before. The day I can come back for good is the day I am really looking for though. It would surely be wonderful if we could be together on our anniversary, wouldn't it? Or even Christmas, like last year. Any time with you would be perfect though.

I try not to build up my hopes too much lest they should have too big of a fall, but then even the most unexpected things can happen sometimes. When I first came out, I expected to be out here for the duration and I've already been back once. You see, all I can think about, my darling, is of the time and times when I can be with you. I surely do love you with all my heart and soul. Right now I'd like to be able to give you a big kiss. Guess I'll have to leave you for now. Surely do hope I'll get a letter tomorrow. Please, Sweetheart, tell me everything. Forever your lover, Perry

Linda, Marian, Dale and baby Jan in the carriage, 1951
July 9, 1945 (Monday)

Dearest husband Perry,

Darling, your letters are arriving so quickly that I feel that you are not so far away. Your letter of July 4th came today. It was postmarked the 6th. Is your ship still anchored off that little island with nothing to do?

Yes, Perry, I know what the 24th is. Adams Ward has quite a celebration each year but of course it can't be anything like the celebrating in Utah. That's something I am looking forward to. Oh yes, darling, it will be such a wonderful day when you get out of the Navy to be a civilian again, and Perry, I'll never let you leave me then, not ever. Tell me you'll never leave me then, Perry.

Viola's niece has been here (She is from Salt Lake, about 14 years old.) spending a few weeks vacation with her aunt and uncle. I had to mention her here cause she has been playing some pretty church hymns on Lewis's organ. (She plays well.) There are a few that I didn't recognize. One was so pretty, Perry. It's called "Shine On." I've never heard it before. Do you know it?

Today I called the man at the Methodist hospital who interviewed me for that job. But he said he was still interviewing girls and had not decided on anyone yet. He told me to call back about 10:00 tomorrow morning. So I guess he is still considering me.

Golly, it sure was a very hot day today. I knew it was summer for sure. We had watermelon this evening after supper. It was such a good one. Viola and Lewis were telling me about the times (in July) when they would go way up into the canyons (in Salt Lake) on watermelon parties--up where there was snow. Golly, is it really like that Perry!--snow in July I mean? You know I want to see some of those canyons, Perry. I've never seen one.

Oh, darling, don't misunderstand me about your last poem to me. It was so beautiful, Perry. It's only that I wouldn't have you feeling so sad or blue, and dear husband, I promise you that I shall always try and want to keep harmony and happiness in our lives. I want to be all that you believe of me dearest Perry. I know that it is because we are so separated that makes us feel so very depressed at times, but this can't be for long, I know. The Lord will bring you back to me very soon, my sweetheart, for we have been promised so much happiness. I love you with all my heart and soul, my dear husband. Always your own, Gene

July 10, 1945

My Darling Sweetheart,

Guess by now you should be able to realize why you haven't heard from me for the last few days. As long as you know the reason, though, it is better because I know how it is to continually look for a letter and wonder. I always try to write to you regularly when we are in port.  
[July 5, 1945 - Liberation of Philippines declared. July 10, 1945 - 1000 bomber raids against Japan begin.]



I have the money order for my tithing. It is $21.48, $7.16 per month for the months of April, May and June. Will you give it to the bishop for me and keep the receipts? I'm sending the money order in a separate letter. I'm surely eagerly looking forward to when I can get those sweet letters of yours again. I didn't get any for about for days before we left, but I'm sure I'll have some waiting for me at my next destination.


I think the last letter I wrote you wasn't such a very good one. It's too bad that is the last one I could get off to you before leaving. The situation has improved somewhat now. At least we have water now and can shower and keep clean. I will surely be glad when we get rid of all of these passengers though.


It's hard to write now until I hear from you and right now it's rather inconvenient and the lights will soon go out so I'm hurrying. I can't pour out my love very well when I'm being rushed. I love you though, my darling, more than ever I could express in words anyway. I think and dream of you constantly. forever your loving husband, Perry


July 11, 1945


My Darling Gene,


Well my sweetheart, here I am again. I should have some mail from you tomorrow. Consequently, I find it rather difficult to settle down or do anything at all. If I have some mail from you tomorrow, though, I promise you an extra special good letter. Do you remember what happened just eleven months ago tomorrow. That was the most profitable evening I ever did spend because just remember who I met that night. You'll never know all the thoughts that went through my mind that night. Surely do wish I could be with you so we could celebrate it in some special way together, but as it is, I guess we'll have to celebrate it as best we can just thinking about it and with thankfulness that we have each other. I hope by next year we will be able to celebrate most all of our special occasions together. We really have quite a few, you know, from August through December. Do you know what I mean?


Have you your new job yet? I surely will be glad when you can quit working around like that, won't you? And when that day comes, it will be the beginning of the fulfillment of all of the rest of our hopes and dreams. Sweetheart, I love you very much and can only think of those things we have both talked about and desire so much. Sweetheart, I'll close now and will eagerly wait for your letters tomorrow. Please when you write, tell me all about yourself, all you do and everything you think. In that way, I can still live with you in thought. I love you my darling, Perry


July 13, 1945


My Darling Wife,


This is Friday the thirteenth. It's an extra special day, isn't it? I promise you that when I come back for good, we are really going to make every Friday the 13th a very special day because it was the luckiest day of my life last year, just nine months ago. Darling, I received your letter today, the one you wrote on the 4th. You sounded as though you were a little bit blue. How I wish I could hold you in my arms as you long for me too, but the best I can do now is to write and tell you my love the best I can that way--a very poor substitute, isn't it?


Sweetheart, I surely do hope you can find the kind of a job you want, one you will enjoy doing, and I will pray for you, my darling, just as you asked me to. How do you like living with Viola by now? I surely do hope it works out well so that you won't have to be moving around so much any more. It will probably help you to keep from getting blue too now that you have someone to be with.


Well, darling, I must leave you now, but will be with you in my thoughts always, and so till tomorrow when I write again, I'll say goodbye. Your loving husband, Perry

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