Monday, October 8, 2012

Perry. I want a place of my own

Sept. 30, 1945

My Dearest Perry,

During the past week several trying things happened that upset me quite a lot. But I received your letters of the 11th, 15th and 20th and, oh my husband, they were such wonderful letters. In fact, I think three of the best ones I've ever received from you. Darling, you'll never know what those letters did for me. Perry, I shall never throw them away. Your letters mean so much to me. I'll keep all of them always. I love you so and am so very proud of you.

The money orders came in one of the letters and I shall take care of them right away. I'm so glad your letters don't have to be censored anympore. It's so wonderful to know where you are and what you are doing. I do wish you would be getting out of the Navy before next spring. That sounds so far away. Perry, could they station you here in the states somewhere till spring? How can I live alone till then? I need you so, dear Perry.

1965 family vacation to the mid-west
Oh, my darling, you know I long for all those things you spoke of just as you do, my darling Perry. You brought tears to my eyes when I read of those little things you want most to do for your dearest. I long for the same things. You said you thought it sounded kind of silly and hoped I would destroy your letter. Oh no Perry, I shall never destroy it. I thought it one of the most beautiful things I have ever read. I pray that the time is very near when we can truly make those times come true.

Viola and I had a little misunderstanding last week. Then she lost her temper and said some pretty mean things to me and then said she wished I would move. It upset me terribly and I cried. Lewis came to my rescue however and told me Viola just wasn't feeling good because she has no job and was mad at her boyfriend. I was really going to move, but he asked me not to and said I could have the spare room if I wanted it. The next evening I went over to Mother's and since she and Emily have their differences, she was feeling bad too and it seemed as tho they even started picking on me. I left there right away, but when I got home I just couldn't hold back the tears.

Viola heard me crying and came in the room and put her arms around me saying that she was sorry for everything. Then Mother came over and we had a long talk, so things got sorta patched up again. Guess I'll stay with the Sorensens till you come back, but then I want to move. Perry, I want a place of my own. I want you to take me to Utah to live.

How grand that your sister has such a wonderful position. Brother Benson is such a wonderful man. Yes, I knew him in Washington. Must close now, Perry. All my love. Your wife, Gene

Sept. 30, 1945

My Darling Sweetheart,

I haven't written to you since we left, but really darling, to be truthful, I haven't felt very well. No, don't worry, it was only seasickness. You see we ran into a typhoon and I'll have to admit that whenever the water gets very rough, I begin to get woozy. I barely managed to stand my watches and I spent the rest of the time in my bunk. I'll bet you are laughing at me, you little rascal. I guess they just can't make a sailor out of me.

We are supposed to arrive at Hokkaido on the 5th. We will go through the strait between Honshu and Hokkaido into the Japan Sea to Oturo which is on the east coast of Hokkaido. That's about all I know. We will be the first ships to arrive there with occupation troops.

Gene, just before we left, I received three copies of the Improvement Era so you see it is catching up with me at last. I've been reading them and enjoying them. I liked particularly what J. Reuben Clark said in one of his speeches. I'm quoting it to you. "All the deductions of modern psychology, and it's kindred mental sciences, are paraded for the guidance of the wives, the mothers, the sweethearts, in meeting, winning and holding the boys back from the war. But I would not exchange the unerring, inspired instinct of a good woman, fired with mother love, or wife love, or the love of a loyal, chaste sweetheart for all that man have ever written."

Perry with his newly-planted rose garden
Claremont, California
When I read that of course I thought of my own sweet little wife and honestly darling, I couldn't keep the tears from my eyes because I knew how true that was. I have known that ever since I have been out here, but it touched me to read it from one of the church authorities, and I liked the way it was put, don't you, sweetheart?

Darling, I only wish I were able to express how much I love you and how I want only to be with you. Goodbye for now, my darling. I'll write you again tomorrow if I possibly can. Forever yours, Perry

October 1, 1945 (Monday evening)

Dearest Husband Perry,

I do hope you are receiving more of my mail by this time. Sometimes I guess I don't write very often, but my darling I think of you constantly and long for you so. It's only when I don't hear from you that I find it rather difficult to write. I'm still reading those sweet and wonderful letters I received from you last week.

Dearest Perry, how many trips will you have to make to Japan before there are enough troops there? I don't see why they can't let you come home now. I think you deserve your 30-day leave and should get it right away.

Guess I should tell you the good news. Daddy baptized Nellie Card last Saturday and confirmed her yesterday morning. Now she is one of us. Isn't that wonderful? We had our fast Sunday yesterday because next Sunday is Conference in Salt Lake. It was such a hot day yesterday--also today--temperature reached 100 degrees today.

Perry, Mother is going to receive her patriarchal blessing next Saturday evening. I'm going with her. I'm so glad she has finally decided she should have it. She and Daddy have been putting it off for so long. Dad still doesn't think it's very urgent that he should have one.

I'm still working at the "Victory Chest" Perry and expect it will last till sometime in November. I'm still only a temporary employee as most are, but I have a chance of being put on the regular payroll. Hurry home, darling, and take me away from this tiresome office work. All I want to be is a good little housewife and mother and be with my husband forever. I love you, Perry. I love you dearest husband.

The time has been changed and everything comes later now. It seems so strange. It's almost dark now before I arrive home from work. Tomorrow night is mutual night. Guess I'll go over and see what it's like this year. It's just starting, you know. I washed my hair tonight and also some of my clothes. Am rather tired now. Must go to bed. Sweet dreams Sweetheart. I love you Perry. Always, Gene

Oct. 1, 1945

My Darling Gene,

I'm wondering when you will get me letters and when I will hear from you again. you see, we are going to be the first ships to arrive at Hokkaido and I'm afraid there isn't likely to be any mail service for a while. I love you so much that I want and need a letter from you every day. The hope that I will actually be with you again before too long keeps me going though.

Yesterday evening when we held our church services the Chaplain asked me to speak. I was sorta' flabbergasted and so out of practice so I didn't do so very well. Guess I need a little, quite a little, practice and also a lot of study. You and I can study together when I come back, can't we?

My darling, it is just 13 more days until our anniversary. I keep wondering and hoping you will at least get a good letter from me. It's pretty hard to time them because I don't always know how long it will take, especially when we are moving around so much. Oh, my sweetheart, I wish I could do something for you, but I feel so helpless. How I wish I could be with you so we could really have a nice time. It will really have to be something very, very big or important to keep me away from you on another anniversary. Goodnight for now my love. I love you dearly, Perry

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