Monday, February 12, 1945

Grandma has the watch this evening so Grandpa came and spent the time with her while she writes her letters home.  She reports that they were both sick, that she is feeling better now, but Grandpa is still fighting a cold.

"My cold is gone now & Bud's is practically gone.  He doesn't have to work this week so he's going to sleep & lay out in the sun & try to get his pep back.  He has been working very hard."

She also reminds me how much happy they were together.  They still celebrate their month-a-versaries.

"You asked if we still celebrate the 26th.  Bud always gives me some kind of a present - depends on how much money we have.  One time it was a bag of gumdrops."

My boyfriend and I don't celebrate our month-a-versaries any longer, but it might be a nice tradition to bring back up.  Even if it just a bag of gum drops.

They went out for dinner and dancing for Grandma's birthday.  They had a lazy Sunday afterward.  They attempted to go fishing, but then lost the hooks.  They also cruised past a baptism in their little row boat.

"... we saw some revivalists having a baptism.  It was really something to see.  They were really carrying on.  I'd read about those things but never realized they wrote of they so truly."

Wouldn't that have been a sight to see!

On June 16, 1940

Monday, February 19, 1945

Happy Belated Valentine's Day!  I've never gotten into Valentine's day as long as I've been with my boyfriend.  I'd much rather worry about our anniversary.

"I heard from Mother last week, but no letter from Peggy, Just a valentine. They were very pretty valentines Peggy, so I will forgive you.  Bud gave me a bouquet of flowers and very pretty vase which is in the shape of a heart and is red.  The flowers were roses a sweet peas and some other kind that I don't know.  They were very pretty."

Marvel and Tris, Grandma's original bunk mate and her new husband, came to Miami for their honeymoon and spent some times with Grandma and Grandpa.

"Marvel and Tris came Friday night.  They got in too late to get a hotel room so they stayed with us.  We went out dancing Saturday night with them and had a good time.  They came over late yesterday afternoon and we laid out in the sun for awhile and I had them stay to dinner.  I made a devil's food cake because that is Marvel's favorite."

I believe Grandma and Beverly, her roommate after Marvel, had a falling out.  She's only seen her once since her honeymoon.  Grandma is still looking for her wedding present though so maybe not.  Her tone suggests otherwise.

"I have only seen Bev once since she has been married.  She is back to work this week.  She seems to be very happy.  Her husband will be leaving in a few days.  He is on a PC and it works out of Panama and only gets back tot he States once a year for repairs.  I haven't got her a wedding present yet, but I am going to get a blanket for her I think.  It is hard to get anything for her because she won't be setting up housekeeping until after the war.  I know what I will get for Marvel and Tris."

Grandma is definitely homesick.  She is anxious that Red has not called, whether she can get leave to see their families, and is desperate for news from home.

"I wish that we could come home soon.  We haven't any idea when we can get leave but we hope around the last of April or in May.  I guess it will be better to come when it is warm so we won't freeze.  Red hasn't called me yet.  I don't know whether he has gone through and tried to get a hold of me and couldn't or whether he hasn't come through yet.  I do hope that he hasn't come through and will get ahold of me."

Grandma doesn't know it yet, but they'll be home soon enough.

On June 16, 1940

Thursday, February 8, 1945

Now it's Grandma's turn for birthday joviality!  I am always so shocked by her age.  She's only 23 years old and yet she's already done so much!

"Here it is my birthday and I am now 23 years old.  It doesn't seem possible.  I guess the years will fly by now."

Grandma and Grandpa exchanged practical gifts for their birthdays as they might spend their money on going out tonight.  Yes, it's Grandma's birthday but the most exciting news is about Grandma's friend Beverly.  She finally got married, but to a completely different man than the one she was engaged to!  

"Beverly was married Monday night.  She married another boy, not the one she was going to marry and couldn't make up her mind.  She took a ring from the other one but has sent tit back to him.  She was married at the Catholic Church.  He is a Catholic too.  He is aboard a DE and gets in about once every 6 months.  He will be leaving here about the 28th.  They both have 10 days leave now.  They are honeymooning over on Miami Beach."

Grandma only goes on to write that she can't decide what to give them as a wedding present.  I was expecting more fireworks from Grandma. She certainly got into a fine fiddle a couple of letters ago.  I guess we shall see in the next couple of letters or so.

Red still hasn't contacted Grandma and Grandpa yet, and she hopes he does, but they are pretty strict where he is stationed.

"As yet Red hasn't called me.  I hope he didn't come through here and couldn't get ahold of us.  I hear when they are at the Port of Embarkation that it is hard for them to get out.  They are on call at all time and they don't grant them liberty.  I hope he can get to a telephone and at least call me up.  I would like to have him meet Bud and also I would like to see him."

And now I am going to leave you with the last line of this letter.  It brought tears to my eyes.

"The war news certainly looks good.  I am hoping and praying that it will be over soon.  It will seem good to be a civilian again and Bud and I will be able to settle down and have our own home."

On May 25, 1945

Friday, February 2, 1945

February 2 is Grandpa's birthday.  Grandma is throwing a small dinner party and making one of her favorite cakes: Angel's Food cake.

"Today is Bud's birthday.  I got him a pair of pajamas and am trying to find him a pair of decent bedroom slippers.  We haven't got too much money to spend, but what I do have for him I want to be nice.  I baked him an angel's food cake last night and it came out perfect. ... I am still so thrilled at how well the cake came out that that is all I can think of.  Bud helped me make it -- he beat the eggs and that is what counts."

Grandma's old roommate Marvel is coming to Miami for a short honeymoon.  Grandma has not seen her since she left and she is so excited to see her.

"Tris (Marvel's Boyfriend) is in town.  He is getting leave on the 9th of this month and he and Marvel are going to be married.  They will be married the 12th and come down here on the 13th for a short honeymoon.  I am anxious to see Marvel.  She is going to wear a long white dress, but otherwise her wedding will be Navy style.  The Chaplain is going to marry them and her Commanding Officer is going to giver her away.  Her sister will be there to stand up with her.  Tris's Dad is going to be best man.  All of his boyfriends are in the service and are away so I think its is nice to have his father."

I love how she refers to this type of ceremony as Navy style.  Grandma and Grandpa's wedding must have been in the same vein.

It looks like a convention is coming to town.  Not only are Tris and Marvel heading to Miami, but Red is coming too!  Now Red is Marilyn's brother and we all remember Marilyn right?  Grandma's friend from back home who is always sickly and ends up marrying Grandma's old beaux?  Red is her brother and Grandma is anxious to see him!

"I got a letter from Marilyn.  Red told her to tell me that he will be here in Miami a few days before he goes overseas.  I am so anxious to see him.  He has my phone number and address so will get in touch with me when he gets here.  I am so anxious to see him.  I have been a little homesick and I want to see him badly.  I wish we could come home soon.  I am afraid it will be sometime in May.  That seems so far away."

I am praying that they get to see their families and friends soon.

On May 25, 1945

Tuesday, January 23, 1945

Great-Grandma Shannon is still trying to like she did when Great-Grandpa was alive.  According to Grandma, she is living well beyond her means and needs to quit feeding everybody but herself!

"You are going to have to move from that place as soon as possible.  Also you will have to quit feeding everybody & his dog & quit buying so many presents.  Bud's birthday is the 2nd of Feb and mine is the 8th, but we feel a nice long letter will be a swell present.  Don't buy us a thing."

This a very short and to-the-point letter, but I learned one thing about my Great-Grandma Shannon today.  Our spending habits are genetic.

On May 25, 1945

Monday, January 22, 1945

The Missoula new wire is hoppin!  Grandma starts out the letter with:

"There isn't much to tell you."

and ends 9 paragraphs later.  Well, one of the paragraphs is about her new fabulous diet so we can skip that one.

There is an awful lot of talk about Babies from Grandma and Grandpa.  You can tell Grandpa REALLY wants kids soon, but Grandma is the one pumping the brakes.

"Bud really like it when you said in your letter that you didn't think you would have an Xmas tree until your Robinson grandchild was there ot enjoy it.  I hope we will have one but I would like to wait a little while longer until we have money saved.  Bud says that things would work themselves out but I don't think we should have a child if we don't have a little money ahead."

Grandpa wants those babies so bad!

Not all of the news was good news.  One of their neighbors passed away and Grandma wants Great-Grandma to reach out to their family especially the grieving widow.  The widow is not handling it well, and Great-Grandma would know how to comfort her best.

"Did you see Laura when she was there for Mr. Crain's funeral?  By the way, did you send any flowers o his funeral?  You know, Bud and Laura sent flowers to Daddy.  I understand that Mrs. Crain has taken it very hard.  Why don't you call her up.  I know that I should write to her and I believe that I will.  Mr. Crain was always so nice to me.  Cancer is a terrible thing.  He didn't know he had it.  Nunnie was the only one who got home and he got there before his father died.  I guess Mr. Crain went to pieces when he saw Nunnie.  Nunnie has been in a lot of action and he is only 20 years old."

It is always shocking when the circle of life continues when a war is on. 

On May 25, 1945

Monday, January 15, 1945

Now Grandpa's starting in on the whole advice escapades.  Rather, Grandma is telling her mother that Grandpa said for Great-Grandma to move into a smaller place so that she will FINALLY listen to reason.

"Mother, Bud told me to be sure and tell you to move if you get a chance.  Don't wait for us to come home.  He feels that you are spending too much money and that you should move.  I know you are in a very convenient place and hate to think of your having to move into something real small.  Be sure to get a place where you can cook and won't have to take your meals out.  You might be able to get something near the Zehs."

Grandpa has also given Grandma the advice on becoming Lutheran.  Now I am totally biased, but that is the best move Grandma ever made.  Growing up Lutheran, and growing up in my church, made a hug impact on me,  Essentially we are Catholic light or also know as Catholic without the guilt.  It's pretty frickin sweet.

"Oh yes, we went to church.  We got to church every Sunday.  Bud wants to have me start taking instructions so I guess I will and will join his church.  That is one of his very strong desires and I know he will be very happy when I become a member."

Church is something you can always come back to.  That community is always there.  When we went to their church in St. Louis for Grandpa's funeral, it was standing room only in the back.  I don't remember ever going to church there but I was quite young when he passed. The snippets of the service that I recall were beautiful but I remember the limo ride to and from the cemetery more than the service.  Eight year olds remember the oddest things.

On May 25, 1945