We are finally here! Well almost… My grandmother’s side of the story really begins today and in another couple of weeks, we will be able to hear the whole conversation. We will be introduced to many of the denizens of Kentland, Indiana from the 1940s. In this letter alone five neighbors are mentioned. Art is Art Kenny who owned Kenney’s Pharmacy. I’m not sure who Emory Jr. is or Dr. Joe or Dr. M or Ed, but I am sure we will find out over the coming weeks.

At this point, my grandmother is almost 8 months pregnant so many of the letters will have issues relating to her current health. As a doctor’s wife, health issues are definitely a priority. You may also wonder at my grandfather’s receipt of cigarettes. When I was a child, my grandfather never smoked. When I started reading the letters, I was amazed that he was a smoker. It was actually quite common back then, and people were not so conditioned about the health issues. And of course, being in military service meant that having cigarettes was mandatory! My grandfather stopped smoking after the war when the smoke aggravated my father’s asthma.

And I don’t know if you caught it in the last paragraph, but my grandmother did a beautiful segue into the family code.

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Letter transcription:

Aug 10-1942

Dear Daddy,

Yours of Friday 7^th received. John was well pleased with his birthday present. He will write you one day this week and thank you. Also Mark will write too. He was pleased with the ticket stub. He likes to brag about the price.

I am feeling much better this week. The trip to the Dr. didn’t seem to bother me. He told me to come back in two weeks. I feel more like doing something but have to be very careful that I don’t get too tired. I missed my vit B shot last week but since I am feeling better maybe I won’t need any more.

Dr. Joe called me yesterday. He will soon be on the West Coast. I asked him if they could come over but he said they wouldn’t have time since he is leaving tomorrow.

Emory Jr. enlisted and is a Pharmists’[pharmacists’]  mate second class. Thanked you for the letter you gave him and said he believed it helped. He will be going in two weeks. Ed is waiting to hear was out yesterday. Said it had been O.K.’d in Wash. but had to come back thru Wash Indpls. He had received a letter from you. So had Dr. M. and Art said he sent you a carton of cigarettes.

When you receive all the letters I have sent, you will have enough to do for a while. I have written every day but Sundays.

(page 2) Rec’d a notice from the Locker that the ham Shoulder & bacon are ready and they want me to get them. I think I’ll just have them put in the drawer because it is almost too warm yet to bring home. Too bad you can’t help us with those.

It looks like our new neighbors are getting ready to move in. They brought a trailer load today. I will be glad when they get settled and can work on the yard-it is getting a good growth of weeds. That reminds me-what was it you said about our yard. What did you want me to do about the shrubbery? You will have to write and explain more fully.

The boys are wanting to go to town to do some shopping so will finish and let them take this.

Love Mother