Dearest Folks:

I think this is the letter that you have been waiting for because I will tell you about my visit with Dick.  We were very fortunate from start to finish on arrangements.  I arrived Monday morning and his pass started the same day and he ran across the drive in front of the YMCA to meet me.  Immediately we found a couple of easy chairs and talked about many things most of them about home.  He really looks in the pink—much better than I ever saw him.  I made arrangements to stay at a military establishment that is run like a hotel and is a swell place for a vacation, not to mention the low cost.  Again we were lucky for he got a bed next to mine so we were together all the time.  I was there for three full days and during that time we knocked all over town and did about everything, and did something that neither of us had done before.  We rented surfboards at the famous beach and had a real morning of excitement and thrills.  Riding a surfboard is beautiful to watch but not easy to master.  About all we could do was hang on when a wave hit us and hope the board didn’t get away.  I got a little worried about Dick and sent a guy out after him but he was alright and having a great time.  Dick got his legs sunburned and I got pretty red myself but not enough to be uncomfortable.  Besides going to the beach we saw shows, roller skated and took in a couple (of) dances.  Of course the army has many clubs and entertainments which are all very good but at the same time every place is crowded with soldiers.  And all the time we took a lot of pictures everywhere we went which will probably give you a better idea of the place.  Dick will send them to you when they are finished.

We had such a great time together that I knew it was going to be tough when my boat sailed.  In the morning early he went to the pier and our goodbye was brief, neither of (us) wanting to show any signs of weakening.  It was hard to say goodbye knowing that the next time we would be together would probably be home.  Dick seemed to be very happy, in good spirits generally.  I know you worry about him but his level headedness will keep him safe and I know we’ll both be home perhaps sooner than we think.

The trip was a good vacation although the boat ride both ways kept me on a bed to keep from getting sick.  There was a real bond between us that I hadn’t noticed before and he was as eager to talk about home as I was.  The big city is seething with war workers and servicemen and the streets and shops are crowded so that you wait in line for about everything.  Then about five o’clock the streets are almost entirely deserted, as if the people had been shadows a little while before.  I spent quite a while in a big bookstore and saw plenty that I wanted to buy but didn’t because I would have no place to put (them) when I (was) finished with them. My footlocker is filled with books now, however I did buy a couple.

Probably the only good thing about returning was the mail that was waiting.  I see that I owe Nancy a couple and one to Phil and I will answer them.  Dick told me how they are both growing but I suppose even with my imagination I couldn’t really picture them as they are.  Perhaps in my next letter I will think of some things that have slipped my mind, but for the meantime, I’ll call this sufficient and write again real soon.  All your letters make a world of difference—a difference I couldn’t imagine without them.

Love,