Sunday April 5^th 1942

Dearest Hal-

It seems strange this Easter morning to think that you are literally on the other side of the world- makes me feel right sad to think how scattered we are and I can’t keep wondering when we will ever get together again.

Sara wrote me that Bits is called up for reclassification Tuesday.

Pauline is in Bluefield nursing her sister whose baby was born March 28^th when it was expected March 11^th so Pauline has been out there since the 1^st week in March.

Bits came over one Sunday (when his note was due at National Valley- and needed my signature-he said if he was not so in debt that he and Pauline would both enlist- he will do topography as they need such work done.

It worries me terribly about him. He told me that he owed about $3000.00 when he sold out the station and that he had paid about half of it since he had been on his present job. I wonder if that is true. Sara wrote me that she thought he was planning to take the bankrupt soon- he spent one weekend with her.

I hope so much that he will yet see his way to do the right thing.

We heard such a lovely sunrise Easter service this morning. It was on the hill just above here at Monticello Memorial Park. They said it was attended by 4000 people, all churches in Charlottesville together. It was broadcast so we could hear it over the radio- the Lane High School band furnished the music and the singing was lovely- hymns sung were “Were you there when they crucified my Lord”- “He carried my sins to the cross”. The Lutheran minister made such a splendid talk as soon as they went off we could hear a service from Ft. Belvoir by the 5^th Army which was splendid- one private sung “The Palms” and another sung “Were You There” The talk was on victory over temptation and death, by a chaplain. Closed with America the Beautiful and the benediction. During the service a soldier read a letter to “Dear Mom”- in which he said that Easter used to mean rabbits + colored eggs + candy (and I of course thought of you all as little kids hunting eggs the rabbit laid in the Easter flowers) and he was learning today that Easter and Christ meant victory- victory over death, victory over the temptation of life, victory over the powers of evil and victory for our country.

I really got more out of those two services than if I’d gone to church on Easter Sunday.

I had a letter from Margaret W. in which she said that Andrew had been right sick a couple of weeks ago with infection from a bad throat- said he swelled all over and his blood pressure went to 200 and his kidneys went bad. He is better but still needs doctor care and will have to take it slow for awhile- also said that Page had sent a check for your church dues. I am so glad you don’t neglect your church dues and I feel so thankful that you have had the strength of character not to take up so many modern habits if wickedness that undermine all good qualities.

There has been a host of company here today. I got up, when the 4^oc bell rung to go to the dressing room and some one came and said I had company- Mr. and Mrs. S. had been visiting friends in Charlottesville and decided to come to see me- they stayed for half an hour and just as they were leaving Mrs. D. and Bill came for a half hour- I enjoyed seeing all of them. Life gets so monotonous here when I don’t see any one for so long- and when other people come I’m always feeling disappointed that it is not some of my children- at this time you just can’t imagine the time ever coming when Sam will get himself a wife and have interests that take him away from you and Page but so it will be and you better enjoy him now.

I know Page misses you very much and I feel sorry for her- Sam will miss you too but fortunately little children find other interests quickly and don’t feel things quite like grown ups.

I have some Easter jonquils that Isabel and Florence B. sent me, some hyacinths that the S.’s brought and a pretty little petunia growing in a tiny nourisher that has four pink blooms on it that Mrs. Margaret F. sent me.

I think of you so much and wonder what you are doing etc. How hot it is where you are, whether you have gotten any letters or not- if you see any newspapers. I guess you have the radio to keep you posted on what is going on here and there. I hope that you are situated so you can be comfortable and not have too hard a time. It was such a satisfaction when Page wrote me last week that she had heard from an officer in work that you had landed across the great divide and not been sunk going over.

Billy doesn’t know there is a war going on. I think he is having the time of his life doing just what he likes to do.

Elizabeth is planning to go on a trip with Julia W. the last of this month. They plan to take in the Kentucky Derby for one thing. I don’t know just what else, but thought they might go by and bring Billy home for a furlough as he had said he could get one but did not have the money to come home. But he says he doesn’t know whether he could get away or not. Can you believe that! Can’t leave the horses.

Nancy just asked who I’m writing to and said tell you Hello for her.

She is being sent to the hospital this week to start having the rib operations. They often have to have three and sometimes four stages of that-several weeks apart. She has made no progress for a year and they hope this will help her.

I soon will be here a year. If I had had any idea of what was before me! I hope I can soon leave here. I think I’ll be able to if I don’t have any more backsets. I am feeling really well now and getting up three times a day.

I am due an X-ray and check up soon and am anxious to see what they will reveal.

We are having a spell of weather that is really hot, around 85^o and 93^o the hottest part of the day for the last several days. The shrubs are blooming and the lawn looks pretty. Page has sent me two checks (in Feb. and March) I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your helping me. It takes a world of worry off of me and I hope that you will not be sorry you did it.

Page says she has had a cold and Sara and Harry N. have been right sick with colds last week, they are having Mrs. H. and Evelyn for Easter. Harry has been away on a two weeks trip.

I think of you many times a day and hope and pray for your safety and ultimate return to us.

My heart is full of love for you

Devotedly

Mother