February 13, 1943. Anna writes to Dad. Theresa Marie is sitting up on her own now. Anna notes when the baby sits up she is able to make her cries and screams travel further. The photos that Dad sent have made it home and they are being distributed among the family. Anna sent some to Stanley while other cousins and aunts have been given copies.
In other news a package that Dad sent from Miami Beach was delivered to the house. I’ll let Anna describe the scene:
Anna describes the scene when a package of jellies that Dad sent from Miami Beach was delivered to the house.
Anna also relays seeing some of their friends in church the past Sunday and how they all looked in their uniforms. She notes seeing, “…young Bartkowski in his soldier uniform in church,” and that, “That younger Zaloga boy from Colonie Street, who is in the navy was with him. Also, Steve Miskiewicz who writes to Stanley was in church and went to Communion. He looks pretty good in his uniform. He also had that short military haircut.” As for the haircuts, “I told mama that when you boys come home for a furlough and she sees that kind of haircut she should know what to expect.”
Anna describes the scene in the house, “It’s after Theresa’s 6:00 PM bottle and she is sitting in her carriage propped against the pillow and watching me type. She looks so cute. She has on her pink sweater with long sleeves and over it her white woolen gloves. She also has her pink booties on. Anyhow, Theresa Marie says, as long as you are typing a letter mommie, send Uncle Anthony lots of good luck and a few more kisses for his collection. She is twice as big as she was when you were home. You can be sure that Theresa Marie is a pretty good ray of sunshine in this empty house especially in the winter time when it is so cold and we can’t get out much.”
In other news around the house:
Anna expresses her love for her husband and her hopes that she will see her brothers again.
Mama now has a fur coat. It is a Hollande mink dyed muskrat. Anna comments, “Do you remember when daddy wanted to buy mama a fur coat for her 25th anniversary but she didn’t want it. I told her that she had better grab the opportunity which comes once in a lifetime before daddy changes his mind. Well she did and now she has a new coat.”
Coconuts continue to be a topic of conversation. “If you can’t get any coconuts for us don’t bother. We wouldn’t expect you to go to the extremes just for a few coconuts. We are satisfied with what we get.” I guess the box of jellies must have helped.
Not to stoke any sibling rivalry, but Anna tells Dad, “Stanley certainly writes long letters and describes his everyday life. The last one which we received today was typewritten on both sides of the paper and was six whole pages long. Don’t let it worry you that you don’t write such long letters. We are glad to receive the ones you send no matter how short they are.”
She signs off, “May God Bless you and send you all the blessings you will need.”