Some Things Are Meant To Be (February 1942- Part II)
As you know, I've been trying to get in touch with Larry & Joy's daughter since early December. I've had such mixed feelings about going forward with this project if I could not make that connection and receive the family's blessing. Despite my internet sleuthing, I don't think my initial messages were reaching anyone, and I was beginning to lose heart. But, as I'm so often reminded, the best things are worth waiting for.
About 2 weeks ago (right before getting slammed by this year's mystery flu), I sent another batch of messages to some new email addresses I had tracked down in hopes of connecting. Lo & behold, within 24 hours I had received a wonderfully kind message from Larry & Joy's daughter! The message exuded surprise and warmth - and instantly eased my jitters! We exchanged contact information and I waited for her phone call. I had given her a VERY brief account of how I found the letters, and I had asked for permission to share and write bout the letters, but we hadn't yet gotten further than that in our initial round of emails.
I wondered how she must be feeling.... her initial message let me know that she was very interested in the letters, and that she loved her parents immensely. Her short note just beamed that love and tenderness at the idea of the letters coming back from the ether. She had never wanted her mother's possessions to be sold off, but (as I know full well), sometimes we are unable to prevent these things from happening. June died 35 years ago, and her father died when she was only 3. I can only imagine what would stir in my deep heart and memory if I was in her shoes. She wisely took a few days to think and digest before calling me.
So, after all this waiting, we had the most amazing phone conversation yesterday! She's truly a kindred spirit and I left the call sure that we'll become friends. I was able to share my story of how the letters have come to me, and the impact they've already had, and she poured out stories and memories of her lovely family. She told me how her parents met, what a gentleman her father was, and how crazy-happy these two were until death parted them. She's never had a chance to see or read these letters, and I told her how much she is going to LOVE them! We were both crying by the end of that call- bonded already by our admiration for her parents, and a shared commitment to keep their story alive.
We haven't worked out all the details yet, but she has given me her encouragement and blessing to go forward with this project, and I hope to one day write a book to hold their story forever. Since she hasn't yet read any of the letters I sent her the text of the 16 I've typed up so far & I'll keep that going as we both make our way through all 300, and, one day I will joyfully place the original letters back into her hands where they belong. Some things are just meant to be- and this journey is one of them! This is no accident, and I am SO happy to part of Larry & Joy's story.
Without further ado- here's the next letter- from February 9th, 1942... (I highly recommend listening to the the YouTube playlist as you read!)
Feb. 9
Dearest Joy,
Here it is Monday again and it was a “blue one” until I received your letter so the sun is shining now everything is just as it should be except that you are in Kentucky and I am in Alabama and we should be together. The order came out here that we could wear civilian clothes again, so when Roy asked me if there was anything I wanted from home I told him to bring my clothes back. Then 2 days later the order was changed. (quote) “Under no circumstances shall military personnel (officers or enlisted men) be permitted to wear civilian clothes." (end of quotation) So I wired him not to bring them. I should be mad I guess, but it wouldn’t do any good so I’m not going to waste time growling about it. The new ratings are coming out is a few days and according to the “grapevine” your best boy friend is supposed to jump a notch. I’ll tell you if he does and as soon as it happens. Darling, “Rumor” is scattering us all over the country this summer. Mechanics will be sent here and there according to Rumors. Some will be sent as instructors at a bunch of new technical schools all over the U.S. and some will be sent to combat duty. This probably will take place gradually and be finished by next fall. However I think the war will be nearly over by next Feb. if it isn’t finished by then. Then we can plan on our future. By the way it won’t be so long until I get to see you again (it’s still too darn long). But I’ll be there again some of these days soon. The radio is playing “I Give You my Word”. Very nice; especially when I’m writing to you. And now the song is “Surely We’ll Meet Again”.
My Dear; you said in your last letter that you were trusting that I would be true. Honey these words meant a lot to me. I’ll never do anything to break that trust. I have done and probably will do a lot of foolish things but there are two strong bands around my heart to keep me on the “straight & narrow”. Those two bands? Your love & trust. And you are the only person on the world that I trust, without question. Pardon the wavy writing but I have a lazy - I guess it’s spring fever today so I am lying down writing this. Did you know that was one of my faults? (Viz) I get disgustingly lazy every so often. However I must go to work in about an hour, so I have about ¾ of an hour left to be lazy so I’m very relaxed now. The radio is swinging out again. This time it’s: “Because of You” This last letter of yours is just what I needed. The sentences (quote) 'I’ll be waiting, etc. We both have enough will-power etc., our life will be doubly happy' (end of quote). Darling, you have no idea how much, I mean, reading that from you, means to me. (The Radio is doing its self proud today, now the song is “May I Never Love Again”.) [Sweetheart, take those four songs and hook up the titles just as they were played. See what I mean?] To every one of your questions in that last letter I answer a cheery but sincere (and a loud) “Yes, of course.” You are right my Irish angel. You are also lovely and the sweetest, most precious person in this whole world (and I did mean and say whole world).
Well I must close; my darling and go to work soon. When you get this letter look in the direction of Montgomery and blow me one of your kisses and I’ll get it. Au revoir my Princess. I love you past, present and future.
I love you forever and always
Bye again my most precious one
Only yours, Larry
Larry also left a little 'hidden' note on the back of one of the pages from Feb. 9th:
I’ll bet you a chocolate sundae and a kiss you don’t ever see this. HA!
Stay tuned to find out if Joy saw the note or not!
I wish we could all go back to a time when letters of love, devotion and trust were shared as these two did… So beautiful!
I agree Sunny! Thank you for reading! 🙂
This is meant to be!!! I love the sweet devotion they show. 🥰