Brooklyn in Love & at War

My grandparents' World War 2 Love Letters

We Are The Forgotten Men

This is a short letter about the monotony of waiting during wartime. Alex covers various quotidian topics in this letter: His paycheck and what he will buy with it; the … Continue reading

August 23, 2022 · 1 Comment

Dog Days of Summer

Like many New Yorkers in August, Sylvia took a trip to the Catskills to escape the city for a few days. In this letter, her writing feels lighter as she … Continue reading

August 19, 2022 · 4 Comments

The quickest way to drive a person crazy…

Today’s letter is a long one, packed with details about daily life as well as a rare mention of the news from the warfront. This one is from Sylvia, written … Continue reading

August 4, 2022 · 1 Comment

Hello, Again

Hello? Is anybody out there? It’s been almost exactly five years since I posted on this blog. In all honesty, it felt painful and difficult to look through these letters … Continue reading

July 27, 2022 · 5 Comments

Adrienne Joy

It is with a heavy heart that I write that on July 24th, 2017, Adrienne passed away.  The family was together and her three wonderful children were all by her … Continue reading

August 18, 2017 · 4 Comments

Immigrants Welcome

It is a dark time in America. The rays of light come from the organizing, protests, compassion, and vigilant civic engagement happening across the country. For that, my feelings of … Continue reading

January 30, 2017 · 3 Comments

Spotlight on Cookie

I revisited a letter that Sylvia wrote as Adrienne (“Droopydrawers”): http://wp.me/pSuoi-sw It is one of the funnier and more playful letters. As Adrienne, Sylvia wrote, “I have the 2 most … Continue reading

September 18, 2016 · 2 Comments

Winter Soldier

Just a sweet, nothing note – relaying some sweet nothings. How difficult it must be to write a letter when nothing happens and you cannot reveal your location. Feb 20/ 45 Darling wife, … Continue reading

September 2, 2016 · 1 Comment

I Dreamt I Dwelt in Marble Halls

This short love letter revolves around a song called “I Dreamt I Dwelt in Marble Halls.”  Alex listened to it enough times to write out the lyrics for Sylvia. Here (so … Continue reading

June 2, 2015 · 4 Comments

What will we say?

It is a rainy April day in New York, one that is apt for reading and writing letters. This letter was written almost the same day Sylvia’s letter in the … Continue reading

April 20, 2015 · 1 Comment