The letters that I transcribed for the 2024 Christmas letter...
If you're interested in hearing this story from my grandfather's angle as he served in the South Pacific, please see my daughter's book Meet My Great Grandfather: Snapshot of a Veteran on Amazon.
Letters from Home: November 9th-14th, 1945
Michael and Marguerite Fisher
December of 1945, and Christmas specifically, marked the first holiday season after World War II. It was an emotional and poignant time for all and a time for reunions and relief. For families in 1945, this Christmas was a bittersweet mix of joy, remembrance, and hope, marking the beginning of a new era after years of uncertainty and hardship.
After years of rationing and restrictions there was a huge surge in festive decorations, gift-giving, and holiday foods as resources became more available. That said, there was also a sense of frugality, so celebrations may have also been simple and focused on togetherness rather than material gifts. Families expressed deep gratitude for the end of the war and the safety of their returning loved ones.
And that’s where this story starts. Over the years, I’ve always written a Christmas message, usually from an almost maudlin remembrance of memories as we’ve lost family members over the years. This year, I thought I’d let my grandparents and great-grandparents share a snapshot of the national mood from over 75 years ago.
My grandfather served in World War II on Galapagos Island from just after the incident at Pearl Harbor in 1941 until December of 1945. My grandmother Marguerite, in her young 20’s, wrote to my grandfather Henry, who we called Papaw, often during that time. I found some of these letters on a recent trip back home and what was written inside them was absolutely priceless. One of the things I love about reading these letters is hearing them in my head in Grandma’s voice. That is a gift in and of itself.
I invite you into some very intimate family moments in what follows, punctuated with a few explanations and more memories. These letters start on November 9th, 1945 and run through November 14th–a glimpse into the events leading up to my grandfather’s potential discharge with the hope of being home in time for Christmas. This after being gone for 4 years. Note that I left spelling and punctuation largely the same as it was written, as it is indicative of the time in which it was written and are the real words of real people communicating during that time. The original language also lends a sense of authenticity and sentiment to what is being shared.
November 9, 1945, Friday Night
My dearest darling.
How’s my sweet heart doing to night. I’m just fine. I could be better if you were here. I would be wonderful then. Maybe it won’t be so many more week ends until you will be here with me. I went to get my hair fixed this evening and Irene & Aubrey brought me home. They always do if it is dark. Now isn’t that nice. I told them maybe it wouldn’t be many more Fridays until you would be here to take me home. I just can’t wait. Honey, it’s going to be so wonderful to have you home all the time. I know it’s going to be wonderful to you too. It seems like everybody is coming home. If they aren’t here they are expecting to be home by Christmas. This is really going to be a nice Christmas for a lot of people. Honey, they are really going to fix up Kannapolis for xmas. They are going to have all kinds of lights and everything. I can’t wait to see it and just think I’ll get to see it with you. That’s what makes it so good.
Honey, I just talked to Rosalie. She is leaving at 9:30 to night to go to New York to see Vincent. He is ready to go overseas. She is just about crazy. Honey, I feel sorry for anybody that just can’t take it. It’s just about to kill her. But I guess she will have to stand it.
Well, honey, I guess I better quit for now. So you be sweet. I love you so much. Goodnight my darling and sweet dreams. Sleep tight. I love you. Bye now. I love you with all my heart.
I’ll love you always
Marguerite
P.S. I love you
The lights that Grandma is describing here were a fixture growing up in Kannapolis. There would be wreaths attached to the light posts, trees and a large Santa Claus were floating on the lake in front of Cannon Mills. I don’t know if they did it then, but when I was young, there were always groups setting up luminaries, small candles in paper bags, and lining the lake or the sidewalks. It was so beautiful. Christmas in Kannapolis was truly the most wonderful time of the year, full of illuminated magic and wonder. Having Grandma describe all of this brings so many holiday memories to mind, decorated memories and music that are as lucid in my head as if I were seeing them for the first time.
November 10, 1945, Saturday Night
My dearest one.
Honey, I’m hearing the sweetest music. I hope you are hearing it too. I know you would like it. You know how you like to hear good music. If you were here we could sit here and listen to the radio until it was time to go to the late show. Now wouldn’t that be nice. Honey, it’s going to be so wonderful to be to gether again.
Honey, you know those people that live down there beside of us. Well they have come back. I think he is fixing to build more to his house. I hope he does. Maybe it will look better then. Then when we get ours fixed up, it will look pretty out there.
Honey, I can’t wait for you to get here and we can start doing some of these things we have been planning. We are really going to have a lot to do. Just think in about a month from now you will be here. Honey, that is the only thing I can think of these days.
Deannie has gone to the show to night. She wanted me to go but I didn’t want to. I don’t care a thing about going to the late show without you. I feel lost. I’ll be glad to go when you are here to go with me. I love you darling. I just wish I could put my arms around you and kiss you real sweet. Gosh! Don’t that sound wonderful.
Well goodnight darling and sweet dreams. Sleep tight. I love you with all my heart. Bye now. I love you.
Always yours
Marguerite
P.S. I love you
It warms my heart so much to think about Grandma asking about whether or not Papaw was hearing the same music that she was hearing. My grandfather was a world away, but radio technology would definitely have allowed him to hear the same music. In our present time it is not unusual for people to have shared experiences around media but in 1945, it was a hope, a wish that Grandma and Papaw were both sharing the same music. Hopefully they were sharing the same feelings about it too.
This letter also mentions going to ‘the show.’ This refers to our local theaters. In Kannapolis, we have the GEM Theater which still plays movies after all these years, and we had the Swanee Theater. It was a very popular pastime to go see movies often. Grandma told me that her and Aunt Deannie used to go all the time. Grandma laments in this letter that she just doesn’t enjoy going to movies without Papaw. She still went from time to time but having to go without him made her feel awful. It punctuated his absence in a time when she needed her companion.
November 11, 1945
Hello Henry how is my boy to day fine i hope. As for every one at home we are all O.K. and truly hope this little letter finds you and Walter the same. Well Henry we got your letter this week and we was mity glad to hear from you and Walter and Henry we sure was glad that you sed you all was coming home the first of December. Well that sure will make me and mom happy, just to no our boys is at home again. Thank God. Well Henry, Frances got a letter from Howard and he sed he was O.K. Henry, i sure do hope he can come at Christmas to. That sure would be a nice Christmas.
Say Henry, mom and me sure was glad to get your picture that sure was a good one. Say Henry, Mom sed to tell you that we are looking for you and Walter for Christmas and we are going to kill the fatted calf. Well Henry, this is just about all i can think of this time so i will sin off so be good and write real soon and hurry home and by now from Mom and Dad.
Say Henry you will haft to excuse me for not writing more this time i had to work to day and i just did not have time.
So by now,
From Mom and Dad
This is the only letter I found from my Grandfather’s parents. In fact, when I read the letter the first time it dawned on me that I had never before seen my Great-Grandfather’s handwriting. My nostalgia alarm went off and I carefully read every word as if it were essential instructions. This letter was written to both my Grandfather Henry and his brother Walt, who served together on Galapagos Island throughout their four years in the Navy.
It dawned on me that in this day and age, the style of communication back in 1945 resonated so deeply and profoundly when you realize that this knowledge train of back and forth writing took days or weeks to complete. So very different from the level of immediacy we enjoy today. I imagine my Great-Grandfather’s speaking voice being very similar to his writing voice here and just that little realization was its own warm blanket.
November 11, 1945, Sunday Night
Hey darling.
How’s my dreampuss doing to night. Your little old fat wife is just fine execpt she wants you here with her. Now I wonder why. It couldn’t be because I love you could it.
Honey, this has been one of those dreary Sunday evenings. It’s been cloudy and kinda raining. I’ve sit here and read a while and then I went to bed and slept and dreamed about you, for a couple of hours. Now wasn’t that nice.
Honey, I dream about you every night now. When I find out you are coming home I just dream about you all the time. I guess it’s because I go to sleep every night thinking about you. Honey, you didn’t know I loved you so much did you. Honey, it seems like we are pretty well matched. We both love each to pieces. Honey, isn’t it wonderful to be loved. It makes you feel so good. Honey, when I think about you and how much you mean to me, it makes me feel so good I could cry. You may not be the most wonderful person in the world, to some people, but you are to me. I guess I love you so much, because you love me. Honey, you are so sweet to me and I love you more than I can ever tell you.
Uncle Earn and Aunt Laura, Bill and Evelyn have just left. They are so crazy. Baby Snooks and Daddy are in the zoo and lion is after them. Are you hearing it.
Deannie just called me, she is over at Margie’s. She called me and played “White Christmas” for me. That song does something to me. It makes you happy and it makes you want to cry. Just think if every thing goes right we will be spending our Christmas to gether. Isn’t it wonderful.
Well, I guess I better quit for now. I’ve got to go and take my bath and get ready to go to work to morrow. So you be sweet. Good night & sweet dreams. I love you. Bye now. I love you with all my heart.
Always yours
Marguerite
P.S. I love you.
Grandma and Papaw were a very loving couple. Both of them said ‘I love you’ frequently, both to each other and to the rest of the family. After Papaw passed away, Aunt Deannie and Grandma would talk every Friday night on the phone with the same sentiments Grandma used in her letters. ‘Sleep tight,’ ‘sweet dreams,’ and ‘I love you.’
Also in this letter is mention of the very popular radio show “Baby Snooks and Daddy.” I had to research this to find out more about it and was surprised to learn that Baby Snooks was played by Fanny Brice, a popular Ziefield Follies performer from that time.
Also significant here is the mention of the song “White Christmas.” There were several songs from the holidays during that time that captured the national mood around being together, coming home, and appreciation for those you love. Another popular song in 1945 was “I’ll Be Home For Christmas.” It included lyrics like:
I’ll be home for Christmas;
You can count on me;
You can plan on me.
These lyrics spoke directly to all of the military men hoping to be home by Christmas to enjoy it with their families. But then comes the final stanza of the song:
I’ll be home for Christmas;
If only in my dreams.
When thinking about these lyrics in the context of these letters and really getting a sense of the longing and anticipated reunions that lives in them, it just breaks my heart. This is especially true for families who were not as lucky to have their loved ones return to them.
This letter also reminded me of times when I was younger, sitting in the basement by the light of the tree in the corner and the glowing fireplace, listening to Christmas music in record form on my parent’s turntable that also still played 8-track tapes. When I listen to Christmas music now, I’m immediately transported back to that couch, under a blanket, blissfully soaking in all of that Christmas magic.
November 12, 1945, Monday Night
Hey sugar.
How’s my sweetstuff doing to night. I’m O.K. but I could be better. I didn’t get my mail to day. I hope I get it to morrow. I’m anxious to get my mail these days. I want to hear all about you coming home. Honey, I can’t wait much longer. I’m so anxious I don’t know what to do.
Honey, I almost got scared out of my pants last night. Honey, I was just ready to go to bed and heard the fire truck come by. Me and Deannie run out on the front porch and there was the awfulest fire over towards our house. It just scared me to death. I just knew it was our house. We got our coats and went with Edna & Bill over there. It was Walt Goodnight’s house. It was really burning. They didn’t save a thing but 5 chairs off the front porch. There wasn’t anybody at home so it all burned. It was awful. But I’m telling you I was really scared there for a few minutes.
I saw Mr. Fisher over there and he told me that Bernard Beaver came in yesterday. He was discharged too. I guess he’s one more happy boy. I can’t blame him can you. It seems like we are going to be back out there before long. Won’t it be nice. I just can’t wait. It can’t be to soon to suit me.
Honey, all the boys that are coming home are having trouble getting white shirts. They are something you just can’t buy these days. This girl was telling me that her boyfriend had got some from his chief. Maybe you could get some that way. You better tell Walt so he can get him some. That’s one way to get them isn’t it.
Well, I guess I better quit for now. So you be sweet. I love you. Good night my darling and sweet dreams. I love you with all my heart. Bye now. I love you.
Always yours
Marguerite
P.S. I love you.
During this time, much of the manufacturing had gone into helping with the war effort. The U.S. economy was rapidly shifting from wartime production to a peacetime footing. Factories that once produced weapons and supplies for the military were now once again manufacturing consumer goods. Holiday shopping surged as the availability of goods improved and families indulged in gifts that had been scarce during the war. I guess white shirts were one of those things to remain in scarce supply. My favorite part of this letter is Grandma’s worry that Walt wouldn’t get the information otherwise. It’s so sweet and innocent.
Grandma used to tell stories about how special it was to get fruit at Christmas. I always thought that was a terrible gift but I didn’t grow up with it being scarce. At Kimball Church, we always got a paper treat bag after the 4th Sunday in Advent that was full of fruit and a variety of nuts and a single large size candy bar. The Boomers might have been excited about the fruit but I was excited about the candy bar. I didn’t understand until later in life what a gift that fruit was and how the previous generation was so very grateful to get it. That level of appreciation is integral to my enjoyment of Christmas now. It’s one thing to give a gift, another thing to receive one, but it truly is a joy for me to be in absolute appreciation of what people do for each other during this time of year. That level of community is its own gift and one that I truly cherish.
November 14, 1945, Wednesday Night
Hey Honey.
How’s my better half doing to night. I’m not doing so good. I’m in one of those moods to night. I had to work so hard to day. In fact I think I worked harder to day than I ever have in my life. You know I told you “Dot” is out sick, and I just have to work every where. But I tell you one thing, if he hasn’t got any thing else for me to do, but what I did to day, he can have it. I’m not going to do it. I was so nervous when 3:00 came I didn’t know if I was going or coming. I was so mad I could have cried all day. I had to do the same thing yesterday and I got off at 11:00 and went to the dentist and then I went to the show. I saw “Wilson.” It was so good. I do hope it comes back so you can see it. It’s 3 hours long. I really enjoyed it.
Well, honey I guess 2 weeks from now you will be leaving down there. Just 14 more days. Isn’t it wonderful. I guess I won’t have to write many more letters. That’s so wonderful. I just can’t wait for you to get here.
Well, honey, I guess I better quit for now and go take a bath. So you be sweet. I love you honey. Good night and sweet dreams. Sleep tight. I love you. Bye now. I love you with all my heart.
Always yours
Marguerite
P.S. I love you.
This was the final letter I found and I think it perfectly wraps up where Grandma’s head was at the time. She just wanted Papaw home. Her love and longing are weaved tightly throughout all that she wrote and you can feel it pulling her into pieces. It would be heartbreaking if it weren’t for what comes next.
I’ve written about this before and so has my daughter and this story does come to a happy conclusion.
In early December of 1945, Grandma heard a knock at the door in the morning. When she answered the door, my grandfather was standing there to surprise her.
“Henry Fisher!” she said, jumping into an embrace, “What are you doing here?” Grandma always told this story but could never remember what happened next. “I was just so excited,” she’d say.
After the war, families sought to rebuild their lives, just like Grandma alluded to. Many couples started families, marking the beginning of the baby boom. Uncle Terry, Dad Mike, and Uncle David came along soon enough. My grandparents started a successful business, Bitsy Bakery, in Kannapolis and they left a legacy of kindness, appreciation, and love in all that have come after them.
Now isn’t that nice?
Now isn’t that wonderful?
It sure is, Grandma.
May your days be merry and bright.
Merry Christmas, everybody!
P.S. I love you all.
Access to the actual letters can be found at: http://www.digigogy.com/christmas.html
Michael and Marguerite Fisher
December of 1945, and Christmas specifically, marked the first holiday season after World War II. It was an emotional and poignant time for all and a time for reunions and relief. For families in 1945, this Christmas was a bittersweet mix of joy, remembrance, and hope, marking the beginning of a new era after years of uncertainty and hardship.
After years of rationing and restrictions there was a huge surge in festive decorations, gift-giving, and holiday foods as resources became more available. That said, there was also a sense of frugality, so celebrations may have also been simple and focused on togetherness rather than material gifts. Families expressed deep gratitude for the end of the war and the safety of their returning loved ones.
And that’s where this story starts. Over the years, I’ve always written a Christmas message, usually from an almost maudlin remembrance of memories as we’ve lost family members over the years. This year, I thought I’d let my grandparents and great-grandparents share a snapshot of the national mood from over 75 years ago.
My grandfather served in World War II on Galapagos Island from just after the incident at Pearl Harbor in 1941 until December of 1945. My grandmother Marguerite, in her young 20’s, wrote to my grandfather Henry, who we called Papaw, often during that time. I found some of these letters on a recent trip back home and what was written inside them was absolutely priceless. One of the things I love about reading these letters is hearing them in my head in Grandma’s voice. That is a gift in and of itself.
I invite you into some very intimate family moments in what follows, punctuated with a few explanations and more memories. These letters start on November 9th, 1945 and run through November 14th–a glimpse into the events leading up to my grandfather’s potential discharge with the hope of being home in time for Christmas. This after being gone for 4 years. Note that I left spelling and punctuation largely the same as it was written, as it is indicative of the time in which it was written and are the real words of real people communicating during that time. The original language also lends a sense of authenticity and sentiment to what is being shared.
November 9, 1945, Friday Night
My dearest darling.
How’s my sweet heart doing to night. I’m just fine. I could be better if you were here. I would be wonderful then. Maybe it won’t be so many more week ends until you will be here with me. I went to get my hair fixed this evening and Irene & Aubrey brought me home. They always do if it is dark. Now isn’t that nice. I told them maybe it wouldn’t be many more Fridays until you would be here to take me home. I just can’t wait. Honey, it’s going to be so wonderful to have you home all the time. I know it’s going to be wonderful to you too. It seems like everybody is coming home. If they aren’t here they are expecting to be home by Christmas. This is really going to be a nice Christmas for a lot of people. Honey, they are really going to fix up Kannapolis for xmas. They are going to have all kinds of lights and everything. I can’t wait to see it and just think I’ll get to see it with you. That’s what makes it so good.
Honey, I just talked to Rosalie. She is leaving at 9:30 to night to go to New York to see Vincent. He is ready to go overseas. She is just about crazy. Honey, I feel sorry for anybody that just can’t take it. It’s just about to kill her. But I guess she will have to stand it.
Well, honey, I guess I better quit for now. So you be sweet. I love you so much. Goodnight my darling and sweet dreams. Sleep tight. I love you. Bye now. I love you with all my heart.
I’ll love you always
Marguerite
P.S. I love you
The lights that Grandma is describing here were a fixture growing up in Kannapolis. There would be wreaths attached to the light posts, trees and a large Santa Claus were floating on the lake in front of Cannon Mills. I don’t know if they did it then, but when I was young, there were always groups setting up luminaries, small candles in paper bags, and lining the lake or the sidewalks. It was so beautiful. Christmas in Kannapolis was truly the most wonderful time of the year, full of illuminated magic and wonder. Having Grandma describe all of this brings so many holiday memories to mind, decorated memories and music that are as lucid in my head as if I were seeing them for the first time.
November 10, 1945, Saturday Night
My dearest one.
Honey, I’m hearing the sweetest music. I hope you are hearing it too. I know you would like it. You know how you like to hear good music. If you were here we could sit here and listen to the radio until it was time to go to the late show. Now wouldn’t that be nice. Honey, it’s going to be so wonderful to be to gether again.
Honey, you know those people that live down there beside of us. Well they have come back. I think he is fixing to build more to his house. I hope he does. Maybe it will look better then. Then when we get ours fixed up, it will look pretty out there.
Honey, I can’t wait for you to get here and we can start doing some of these things we have been planning. We are really going to have a lot to do. Just think in about a month from now you will be here. Honey, that is the only thing I can think of these days.
Deannie has gone to the show to night. She wanted me to go but I didn’t want to. I don’t care a thing about going to the late show without you. I feel lost. I’ll be glad to go when you are here to go with me. I love you darling. I just wish I could put my arms around you and kiss you real sweet. Gosh! Don’t that sound wonderful.
Well goodnight darling and sweet dreams. Sleep tight. I love you with all my heart. Bye now. I love you.
Always yours
Marguerite
P.S. I love you
It warms my heart so much to think about Grandma asking about whether or not Papaw was hearing the same music that she was hearing. My grandfather was a world away, but radio technology would definitely have allowed him to hear the same music. In our present time it is not unusual for people to have shared experiences around media but in 1945, it was a hope, a wish that Grandma and Papaw were both sharing the same music. Hopefully they were sharing the same feelings about it too.
This letter also mentions going to ‘the show.’ This refers to our local theaters. In Kannapolis, we have the GEM Theater which still plays movies after all these years, and we had the Swanee Theater. It was a very popular pastime to go see movies often. Grandma told me that her and Aunt Deannie used to go all the time. Grandma laments in this letter that she just doesn’t enjoy going to movies without Papaw. She still went from time to time but having to go without him made her feel awful. It punctuated his absence in a time when she needed her companion.
November 11, 1945
Hello Henry how is my boy to day fine i hope. As for every one at home we are all O.K. and truly hope this little letter finds you and Walter the same. Well Henry we got your letter this week and we was mity glad to hear from you and Walter and Henry we sure was glad that you sed you all was coming home the first of December. Well that sure will make me and mom happy, just to no our boys is at home again. Thank God. Well Henry, Frances got a letter from Howard and he sed he was O.K. Henry, i sure do hope he can come at Christmas to. That sure would be a nice Christmas.
Say Henry, mom and me sure was glad to get your picture that sure was a good one. Say Henry, Mom sed to tell you that we are looking for you and Walter for Christmas and we are going to kill the fatted calf. Well Henry, this is just about all i can think of this time so i will sin off so be good and write real soon and hurry home and by now from Mom and Dad.
Say Henry you will haft to excuse me for not writing more this time i had to work to day and i just did not have time.
So by now,
From Mom and Dad
This is the only letter I found from my Grandfather’s parents. In fact, when I read the letter the first time it dawned on me that I had never before seen my Great-Grandfather’s handwriting. My nostalgia alarm went off and I carefully read every word as if it were essential instructions. This letter was written to both my Grandfather Henry and his brother Walt, who served together on Galapagos Island throughout their four years in the Navy.
It dawned on me that in this day and age, the style of communication back in 1945 resonated so deeply and profoundly when you realize that this knowledge train of back and forth writing took days or weeks to complete. So very different from the level of immediacy we enjoy today. I imagine my Great-Grandfather’s speaking voice being very similar to his writing voice here and just that little realization was its own warm blanket.
November 11, 1945, Sunday Night
Hey darling.
How’s my dreampuss doing to night. Your little old fat wife is just fine execpt she wants you here with her. Now I wonder why. It couldn’t be because I love you could it.
Honey, this has been one of those dreary Sunday evenings. It’s been cloudy and kinda raining. I’ve sit here and read a while and then I went to bed and slept and dreamed about you, for a couple of hours. Now wasn’t that nice.
Honey, I dream about you every night now. When I find out you are coming home I just dream about you all the time. I guess it’s because I go to sleep every night thinking about you. Honey, you didn’t know I loved you so much did you. Honey, it seems like we are pretty well matched. We both love each to pieces. Honey, isn’t it wonderful to be loved. It makes you feel so good. Honey, when I think about you and how much you mean to me, it makes me feel so good I could cry. You may not be the most wonderful person in the world, to some people, but you are to me. I guess I love you so much, because you love me. Honey, you are so sweet to me and I love you more than I can ever tell you.
Uncle Earn and Aunt Laura, Bill and Evelyn have just left. They are so crazy. Baby Snooks and Daddy are in the zoo and lion is after them. Are you hearing it.
Deannie just called me, she is over at Margie’s. She called me and played “White Christmas” for me. That song does something to me. It makes you happy and it makes you want to cry. Just think if every thing goes right we will be spending our Christmas to gether. Isn’t it wonderful.
Well, I guess I better quit for now. I’ve got to go and take my bath and get ready to go to work to morrow. So you be sweet. Good night & sweet dreams. I love you. Bye now. I love you with all my heart.
Always yours
Marguerite
P.S. I love you.
Grandma and Papaw were a very loving couple. Both of them said ‘I love you’ frequently, both to each other and to the rest of the family. After Papaw passed away, Aunt Deannie and Grandma would talk every Friday night on the phone with the same sentiments Grandma used in her letters. ‘Sleep tight,’ ‘sweet dreams,’ and ‘I love you.’
Also in this letter is mention of the very popular radio show “Baby Snooks and Daddy.” I had to research this to find out more about it and was surprised to learn that Baby Snooks was played by Fanny Brice, a popular Ziefield Follies performer from that time.
Also significant here is the mention of the song “White Christmas.” There were several songs from the holidays during that time that captured the national mood around being together, coming home, and appreciation for those you love. Another popular song in 1945 was “I’ll Be Home For Christmas.” It included lyrics like:
I’ll be home for Christmas;
You can count on me;
You can plan on me.
These lyrics spoke directly to all of the military men hoping to be home by Christmas to enjoy it with their families. But then comes the final stanza of the song:
I’ll be home for Christmas;
If only in my dreams.
When thinking about these lyrics in the context of these letters and really getting a sense of the longing and anticipated reunions that lives in them, it just breaks my heart. This is especially true for families who were not as lucky to have their loved ones return to them.
This letter also reminded me of times when I was younger, sitting in the basement by the light of the tree in the corner and the glowing fireplace, listening to Christmas music in record form on my parent’s turntable that also still played 8-track tapes. When I listen to Christmas music now, I’m immediately transported back to that couch, under a blanket, blissfully soaking in all of that Christmas magic.
November 12, 1945, Monday Night
Hey sugar.
How’s my sweetstuff doing to night. I’m O.K. but I could be better. I didn’t get my mail to day. I hope I get it to morrow. I’m anxious to get my mail these days. I want to hear all about you coming home. Honey, I can’t wait much longer. I’m so anxious I don’t know what to do.
Honey, I almost got scared out of my pants last night. Honey, I was just ready to go to bed and heard the fire truck come by. Me and Deannie run out on the front porch and there was the awfulest fire over towards our house. It just scared me to death. I just knew it was our house. We got our coats and went with Edna & Bill over there. It was Walt Goodnight’s house. It was really burning. They didn’t save a thing but 5 chairs off the front porch. There wasn’t anybody at home so it all burned. It was awful. But I’m telling you I was really scared there for a few minutes.
I saw Mr. Fisher over there and he told me that Bernard Beaver came in yesterday. He was discharged too. I guess he’s one more happy boy. I can’t blame him can you. It seems like we are going to be back out there before long. Won’t it be nice. I just can’t wait. It can’t be to soon to suit me.
Honey, all the boys that are coming home are having trouble getting white shirts. They are something you just can’t buy these days. This girl was telling me that her boyfriend had got some from his chief. Maybe you could get some that way. You better tell Walt so he can get him some. That’s one way to get them isn’t it.
Well, I guess I better quit for now. So you be sweet. I love you. Good night my darling and sweet dreams. I love you with all my heart. Bye now. I love you.
Always yours
Marguerite
P.S. I love you.
During this time, much of the manufacturing had gone into helping with the war effort. The U.S. economy was rapidly shifting from wartime production to a peacetime footing. Factories that once produced weapons and supplies for the military were now once again manufacturing consumer goods. Holiday shopping surged as the availability of goods improved and families indulged in gifts that had been scarce during the war. I guess white shirts were one of those things to remain in scarce supply. My favorite part of this letter is Grandma’s worry that Walt wouldn’t get the information otherwise. It’s so sweet and innocent.
Grandma used to tell stories about how special it was to get fruit at Christmas. I always thought that was a terrible gift but I didn’t grow up with it being scarce. At Kimball Church, we always got a paper treat bag after the 4th Sunday in Advent that was full of fruit and a variety of nuts and a single large size candy bar. The Boomers might have been excited about the fruit but I was excited about the candy bar. I didn’t understand until later in life what a gift that fruit was and how the previous generation was so very grateful to get it. That level of appreciation is integral to my enjoyment of Christmas now. It’s one thing to give a gift, another thing to receive one, but it truly is a joy for me to be in absolute appreciation of what people do for each other during this time of year. That level of community is its own gift and one that I truly cherish.
November 14, 1945, Wednesday Night
Hey Honey.
How’s my better half doing to night. I’m not doing so good. I’m in one of those moods to night. I had to work so hard to day. In fact I think I worked harder to day than I ever have in my life. You know I told you “Dot” is out sick, and I just have to work every where. But I tell you one thing, if he hasn’t got any thing else for me to do, but what I did to day, he can have it. I’m not going to do it. I was so nervous when 3:00 came I didn’t know if I was going or coming. I was so mad I could have cried all day. I had to do the same thing yesterday and I got off at 11:00 and went to the dentist and then I went to the show. I saw “Wilson.” It was so good. I do hope it comes back so you can see it. It’s 3 hours long. I really enjoyed it.
Well, honey I guess 2 weeks from now you will be leaving down there. Just 14 more days. Isn’t it wonderful. I guess I won’t have to write many more letters. That’s so wonderful. I just can’t wait for you to get here.
Well, honey, I guess I better quit for now and go take a bath. So you be sweet. I love you honey. Good night and sweet dreams. Sleep tight. I love you. Bye now. I love you with all my heart.
Always yours
Marguerite
P.S. I love you.
This was the final letter I found and I think it perfectly wraps up where Grandma’s head was at the time. She just wanted Papaw home. Her love and longing are weaved tightly throughout all that she wrote and you can feel it pulling her into pieces. It would be heartbreaking if it weren’t for what comes next.
I’ve written about this before and so has my daughter and this story does come to a happy conclusion.
In early December of 1945, Grandma heard a knock at the door in the morning. When she answered the door, my grandfather was standing there to surprise her.
“Henry Fisher!” she said, jumping into an embrace, “What are you doing here?” Grandma always told this story but could never remember what happened next. “I was just so excited,” she’d say.
After the war, families sought to rebuild their lives, just like Grandma alluded to. Many couples started families, marking the beginning of the baby boom. Uncle Terry, Dad Mike, and Uncle David came along soon enough. My grandparents started a successful business, Bitsy Bakery, in Kannapolis and they left a legacy of kindness, appreciation, and love in all that have come after them.
Now isn’t that nice?
Now isn’t that wonderful?
It sure is, Grandma.
May your days be merry and bright.
Merry Christmas, everybody!
P.S. I love you all.
Access to the actual letters can be found at: http://www.digigogy.com/christmas.html