A Love Letter Home
My
Grandfather was a loving and passionate man. This letter
was written in his late teens while he was in the Navy.
He enlisted in the Navy when he was 16, telling what he called a "white
lie" about his age to get in. My Grandmother was the girl next
door...Grandad fell in love with her when he was only 14, and never
stopped loving her.
My grandfather was devoted to my Grandmother. Yes, he failed my Grandmother for a number of years in very personal way that is not worth sharing, because when he returned to her, it was with a devotion and love that far exceeded any failing, and made it clear that he had never, ever, stopped loving her.
He cared for my Grandmother after she suffered a stroke for over 20 years until she passed away at home, with him at her side, at the age of 90. My Grandfather was 3 years younger than my Grandmother, and passed away a few years ago at the age of 97. Their life experiences...my Grandmothers steadfast love and forgiveness, my Grandfather's caring for my Grandmother for so many years, have set a wonderful example for us, and for many....maybe even for you who are reading this now. Love and commitment are the keys to a lasting marriage.
While going through my Grandfathers things, I came across this wonderful letter written to my grandmother while he was in the Navy on a ship or submarine in 1927. My grandmother was going back to Scotland, and...well, read how much he tries to convince her to marry him...money must have been an issue. Not long after this letter, my grandparents did elope, and had my dear mother shortly after.
My grandfather was devoted to my Grandmother. Yes, he failed my Grandmother for a number of years in very personal way that is not worth sharing, because when he returned to her, it was with a devotion and love that far exceeded any failing, and made it clear that he had never, ever, stopped loving her.
He cared for my Grandmother after she suffered a stroke for over 20 years until she passed away at home, with him at her side, at the age of 90. My Grandfather was 3 years younger than my Grandmother, and passed away a few years ago at the age of 97. Their life experiences...my Grandmothers steadfast love and forgiveness, my Grandfather's caring for my Grandmother for so many years, have set a wonderful example for us, and for many....maybe even for you who are reading this now. Love and commitment are the keys to a lasting marriage.
While going through my Grandfathers things, I came across this wonderful letter written to my grandmother while he was in the Navy on a ship or submarine in 1927. My grandmother was going back to Scotland, and...well, read how much he tries to convince her to marry him...money must have been an issue. Not long after this letter, my grandparents did elope, and had my dear mother shortly after.
U.S.S.S. - 7
May 29th, 1927
Some
day I
hope to fulfill my last promise to Granddaddy by telling the story of
an experience he
had on a submarine...an adventure...that will be an eBook one
day...stay tuned! Grandad continued his military career,
accomplished amazing things, and retired an Air Force Captain.May 29th, 1927
Dearest Girl,
I don't know why it is, but I always seem to be near a typewriter and without a pen nor personal stationary when I consider it the psychological moment to write my daily letter to you, sweetheart. I am hoping that you will again forgive me for doing this, but I can express myself so much better and quicker with the typewriter.
It seems ages since I last heard from you, but is was only yesterday that I received your last leter and because there is no mail on Sunday here I really had no right to expect another letter so soon from you.
Sweetheart, I have been thinking and wondering why we couldn't get married before you leave for Scotland no matter what happens. I see no reason for not doing it other than the fact that it would have to be kept secret. We shall eventually be married, but as they say "Eventually? Wny not now?" No matter what happens tho' I shall work my hardest for your future happiness during your absense and we shall have a little something to start in our marital life with. It seems that everything depends on money and it is often so hard to acquire but once it is had it is harder to hold on to. As I have said before, I have never learned to save since I have been in the Navy and what money I now have saved is not due to the fact that I have had to deprive myself of things to do it, but because I had no immediate use for it and could find no use for it after this I shall try depriving myself of things that are not necessessities but luxuries, and I think that by doing without those things now I shall later be used to doing without and we shall be able to get along better. Don't you think that I am at least in a sense, right? Speaking of saving tho' it will be impossible to do it because I intend to see you at least twice more before you sail, and that will mean that $20 alone will be spent in carfare, because of the rush that will be present on the day preceding your departure I shall not try to get the "seventy-two" and shall only be able to think of you and wish so much that I could be with you.
I am going to miss you so much this summer, but I will try to make up for it by working hard and trying to keep from getting blue and it surely will be a gala day when you return. Nothing counts until you return, dear, and I can't bear to think of the time that I won't be able to be with you this summer. Oh! Sweetheart I want you so very much and I hardly know what I shall do when you leave. That is all that I can think of: what shall I do when SHE is gone and I am all alone. Never fear for me, dear, because I shall always love you, and shall never stop loving you.
I have a good mind to get a job on some boat sailing for Scotland or England and following you around the country, but what good would that do me? I would never be able to see very much of you and I would not be able to save anything towards our future home, for that shall be what my savings shall go to get. If we have a home then we can be independent and if I get a good job we can be still more independent and will not have to rely on anyone for anything other than spiritual aid in times of trial. The only thing that really counts is the job and at present I haven't the slightest idea as to what I am going to do.
If possible I shall try to get an electricians ticket, be it only a helpers ticket but that shall mean enough money to carry us through. Of course friends may be able to do some good but I do not intend to rely on anybody be he friend or enemy, of which I have none.
Only thirty-four more days to go and then I shall be out and on my own. Hurrah! I can't say that the Navy has been a detriment but it certainly has been a help. It has given me not one, but two trades that I will be able to use when I get out and all that I want is a chance to see whether I am any good on the great outside world. I can't hope to start out as a great person but I shall someday after a lot of hard labor be able to say that I have made something of myself, I hope.
I can't think of very much more to say so I believe that it is time for me to close this off, sending you all of my love, sweetheart.
Forever and ever your lover, John
P.S. I love you, love you, LOVE YOU. I can't say it with any more emphasis or I would.
Forever yours, John
I don't know why it is, but I always seem to be near a typewriter and without a pen nor personal stationary when I consider it the psychological moment to write my daily letter to you, sweetheart. I am hoping that you will again forgive me for doing this, but I can express myself so much better and quicker with the typewriter.
It seems ages since I last heard from you, but is was only yesterday that I received your last leter and because there is no mail on Sunday here I really had no right to expect another letter so soon from you.
Sweetheart, I have been thinking and wondering why we couldn't get married before you leave for Scotland no matter what happens. I see no reason for not doing it other than the fact that it would have to be kept secret. We shall eventually be married, but as they say "Eventually? Wny not now?" No matter what happens tho' I shall work my hardest for your future happiness during your absense and we shall have a little something to start in our marital life with. It seems that everything depends on money and it is often so hard to acquire but once it is had it is harder to hold on to. As I have said before, I have never learned to save since I have been in the Navy and what money I now have saved is not due to the fact that I have had to deprive myself of things to do it, but because I had no immediate use for it and could find no use for it after this I shall try depriving myself of things that are not necessessities but luxuries, and I think that by doing without those things now I shall later be used to doing without and we shall be able to get along better. Don't you think that I am at least in a sense, right? Speaking of saving tho' it will be impossible to do it because I intend to see you at least twice more before you sail, and that will mean that $20 alone will be spent in carfare, because of the rush that will be present on the day preceding your departure I shall not try to get the "seventy-two" and shall only be able to think of you and wish so much that I could be with you.
I am going to miss you so much this summer, but I will try to make up for it by working hard and trying to keep from getting blue and it surely will be a gala day when you return. Nothing counts until you return, dear, and I can't bear to think of the time that I won't be able to be with you this summer. Oh! Sweetheart I want you so very much and I hardly know what I shall do when you leave. That is all that I can think of: what shall I do when SHE is gone and I am all alone. Never fear for me, dear, because I shall always love you, and shall never stop loving you.
I have a good mind to get a job on some boat sailing for Scotland or England and following you around the country, but what good would that do me? I would never be able to see very much of you and I would not be able to save anything towards our future home, for that shall be what my savings shall go to get. If we have a home then we can be independent and if I get a good job we can be still more independent and will not have to rely on anyone for anything other than spiritual aid in times of trial. The only thing that really counts is the job and at present I haven't the slightest idea as to what I am going to do.
If possible I shall try to get an electricians ticket, be it only a helpers ticket but that shall mean enough money to carry us through. Of course friends may be able to do some good but I do not intend to rely on anybody be he friend or enemy, of which I have none.
Only thirty-four more days to go and then I shall be out and on my own. Hurrah! I can't say that the Navy has been a detriment but it certainly has been a help. It has given me not one, but two trades that I will be able to use when I get out and all that I want is a chance to see whether I am any good on the great outside world. I can't hope to start out as a great person but I shall someday after a lot of hard labor be able to say that I have made something of myself, I hope.
I can't think of very much more to say so I believe that it is time for me to close this off, sending you all of my love, sweetheart.
Forever and ever your lover, John
P.S. I love you, love you, LOVE YOU. I can't say it with any more emphasis or I would.
Forever yours, John
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Updated 2/4/07
Copyright 2007 Claudia L. Meydrech, CN
Copyright 2007 Claudia L. Meydrech, CN