Tonsorial Operation [aka Haircuts!]

A short letter from Alex about keeping your head up, waiting, and haircuts.

Nov 8, 1944

Dearest lover of mine,

Another day has gone by and we still are here waiting to move. The days go by with a terrible sloweness [sic] and you can imagine how impatient we all are. I am well and to a great extent resigned to my fate. If you only will write me that you can take this separation philosoficly [sic] I’ll be completely alright. It is all for the best, if I could write you and tell you the alternatives that could be, to all this waiting, you probably would go and pray fervently to almighty asking him that I should be safe even if you can’t be with me. Or perhaps you did, and your prayers have been answered. It may be hard, but it is for the best! And cannot last long. Although it may seem, because the days don’t go by as they ought to…. fast… faster and faster… But they go, and this waiting can’t last for the duration and even the war can’t last any too long. So my love, if you love me, do as I say, don’t’ be blue and don’t “listen for my footsteps” because that is agony. I’ll be home and then I never will leave you again. My love for you is fathomless? like this dream?, my thoughts are always with you… There is nothing else that counts but you… And only one thing I wish, to make your life full of happiness, that never in our lives there should be one moment of regret or sadness.

Darling wife, why do you allow those awful thoughts to enter

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your mind? (I am speaking of your description of the hospital). You got to be serene and composed and the only thing that you got to think about is that you have an adorable baby and you want her to grow up and enjoy her. You got to think that you have a man, as un–ly(?) as he may be, but he adores you, and you love him too, and therefore you will occupy your mind how to make him a home, and how to be appealing so that he may love you even more, if that is possible, and plan for a bright future, which, undoubtedly will be ours, if you follow my advice. Darling sweetheart, I am doing what I can to be worthy of you, therefore it is no more than right that you should repay me by following my advice.

Dearest, I never tire to look at the recent pictures you have sent me. Do you know that the baby is really a beautiful and sweet looking? And you….. If I only could be home just now… Well, I’ll be soon.

Teddy and I talked Mike into getting himself a haircut. He is losing his hair and is worried. We laughed all evening yesterday. We have aboard a man 36 years old (Navy) and he is a jack of all trades. He gave us all haircuts in the course of our staying aboard. Some were looking and look well, others not so good – Mike resisted till yesterday, but we high pressured him and finally got it. Well, he looks like hell, as if someone had put a bowl on his

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head and cut around it. There was a lot of horse playing while the tonsorial operation was performed and we had a little fun.

Now, the elections is over and the last broadcast we heard Roosevelt is leading. That makes me glad and the ribbing and arguing is hot and heavy. Mike’s talking to me right now and I’ll finish so that I may be able to continue this battle.

My love to you and baby and millions of kisses,

Alex