A letter from my dad, dated August 16, 1961. I do not have any of her letters, to him, and so I read between the lines. She always said about her birthday, everyone was celebrating–just not necessarily celebrating her. But my dad did. My dad adored her. As did, as do, I.

Hi Darling,                                     August 16, 1961

                                                11:30 P.M.

Well I just got home from work and

after a few lines to you I shall get some

sleep.  I worked at dad’s shop from 6:30

to 11 tonight and I can feel it.  But it is

worth it in the long run.

     I have to get a new fuel pump for

my (car)??? It needs one badly, that is the

reason it wasn’t working, before.  I don’t know

if it is worth all that I’m putting into it, for

I do plan to get a better one soon as we

get tied together, that means married!

     I haven’t asked Jack for time off yet,

but maybe tomorrow I will get up the nerve. He

probably will give it to me if I ask him

for it.  Got paid yesterday and already

I have spent 15 dollars.  That was for

the license, I suppose it is worth it though.

You think so?

     What do you mean? I don’t think that

comic strip was so funny.  That’s the way we

are going to spend our honeymoon, isn’t it?

No, we aren’t dummies.  We’ve got better

things to do!!!

     Hope you aren’t working too hard as it is

getting more to that time, isn’t it? Let’s see

you’re five months gone now huh??  Yes, I am

rushing it, only three less than that however.

     Get a price on the flowers and I will

send the money for them.

     As for when my folks and I will

be getting there, oh about, let’s see now

around, oh, near 8100 Saturday night.

Too late you say? How about 3:00 Saturday

morning.  That is more like it.  So you

better tell your, I mean our, granddaddy

and grandma to leave the door open.

     I am going golfing this Saturday

morning with Joe and Jim from

work, and with Harold, the fellow

–3—

whose job I took over, it will be

fun.

     Boy I hope you cleaned up at the

shower, oh boy I just love showers.

We will have to thank Duels (sp?) for

their donation to our cause.  That’s great.

     Hey what do you mean—12 days?

It is only 9 days.  I wish it weren’t

so long also.

     If you were looking for page

2 of this letter, stop.  For I jumped

the gun on my numbers.  What a dummy

I am, huh?

     Well dear, time to close.  God

bless all and keep safe.  Say hello

to all.

As ever,

Mike

p.s.

I love you.