The baby is getting little bit nicer – don’t worry, there’s hope for her yet. (Sadie to Alex) September 1943

This is a letter from Sadie, Sylvia’s sister, thanking him for a book he sent to her son Frankie. I love thinking of him as a doting uncle – his generosity extending beyond his wife and child. Maybe I can just really clearly picture a little boy excitedly sharing something he was given because my own son does that so often. I’m surprised by just how often uniforms come up in these letters. They signal so much, that Alex is a part of a bigger effort, that he has a place in the world that is clearly defined. We hear about them being tailored, washed, worn, and photographed. Now, we hear about a little boy searching the pages of a book about sailors to find his uncle among them.

There’s also a lovely little description of the cousins playing together.

Sept 27 1943

Saturday

Dear Uncle Alex,

This is for Frankie. He was very very? thrilled with the book he received – everyone knows that his Uncle Alex who is in the navy sent him a book. And on pages where there are a lot of sailors he wants to know where is Uncle Alex. So thank you for the book.

Well, how do you like being a sailor – I try to picture you in a sailor suit but I can’t – I guess I’ll have to wait until you come home. 

I just left your wife and daughter – both of whom are doing nicely. The baby is getting little bit nicer – don’t worry, there’s hope for her yet. Judy and Frankie 

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Are both crazy about her. To Frankie she is his little cousin Adrienne – and his voice and manners change when he talks to her. Yesterday she laughed at him and was he thrilled.

Do you know that he goes to scool [sic]? Kindergarten to be exact? And he loves it. I took him to the dentist and had some work done – exactly 21.00 worth. 

Listen Alex – we will get you the chess set – one of these days. I’m sorry I didn’t think of it before – when you just told Sylvia about it – you would have had it by now but you’ll get it real soon. 

Please try to write when you get the chance. 

Lots of love from Frankie and Judy, Charlie and also

Sadie