Love Letters: Ray Meets Stella, Whiteflat, Texas 1944

Laverne:

Conflict and Misunderstanding. It must have been difficult to develop a relationship mostly through letters. It appears they were together when they met, then one visit to the farm, off to war, one or two visits after the war then marriage. I imagine that one reason my mother may have been a little unsure about my dad after his first visit was his sense of humor. He does like to joke, and as kids we had to learn to know when he was serious and when he was kidding. I think that my strategy was that, except in the case of politics, I never took him seriously. And that approach seemed to carry over till today. That is good, because whenever someone says something bad to me, I think they didn’t really mean it. That strategy is bad, however, because whenever someone compliments me, I’m inclined to not take that serious either. I think, oh, you just said it to be nice…..

Letter from Dad to Mom:

January 30, 1944

Sunday

Dear Grace Laverne,

I received today your letter of Jan. 28th and I must say that it sure was nice to hear from you. I sure thought that you might be angry with me cause there was no letter to me from you.

I really meant it when I said I had a nice time when I was at your house. I won’t say I had a better time than I did home on furlough. I sure was glad that I am able to go home so often to see the folks. They sure were glad to see me.

I am sorry that you got me all wrong when I said that you were pretty. I really think that you are wonderful and very pretty. I say that because I mean it. I am not saying it just as a line to get you for me. I like you a lot. That is true I never said I love you. I like you because I think that it was sweet of you to consent to write to me, and for Christmas send me a box of candy. Another reason I like you and your family was cause I found that you and your family was only one of the very few families that take in a soldier to spend a week end at their house, and lived up to that Southern hospitality.

That gift I gave you was something I wanted you to have for being so nice to a certain cpl. Is that matter all straightened out between us, and I do hope we keep on as always, good friends.

Love,

Ray

P.S. I think that I really made you angry and I am dreadfully sorry.

P. P.S. I case you could use any sugar stamps, I think I can get hold of some.

P.P.S. In case you want my picture yet, you can still have it.