Thou Shalt Not Steal

Several things about these letters bring to mind some comments. First, my grandmother's (Gene) letter is missing. Apparently she was really bad at keeping them. I selfishly want them so I can get a glimpse of my mother growing up. Pauline's letter speaks of Diane's (my mother) illness. I have no idea what that could have been.

Pauline also writes of my grandmother having her teeth removed. She had diabetes and had many health problems over the years, with circulation being one of them. However, her dentures scared the bejezus of me when I was little. When she would visit, she would have them in a glass of water on the nightstand next to her bed. She wouldn't allow us to chew gum in her presence—it infuriated her—young ladies did NOT chew gum. She said our teeth would fall out—and the dentures were living proof. I got caught chewing gum in her presence—once—that was enough for me. Grandma O’Connor was more of a proper, cocktails at 5, dress properly, act properly at all times kind of grandma. These letters give me a broader perspective of her personality. Being around her often frightened me, but through these letters, I can see that she had a hard life. She was a single mother raising two kids at a time when most mothers were at home baking—not out in the work force. Things could not have been easy for her.

My other grandma (my Dad's mother) was the plump grandma that baked all the time (cakes, pies, cookies, noodles, you name it—she made it—from scratch). We were allowed to run barefoot all over her farm, we climbed in the barn, fed the farm animals—very different from the more “proper” O’Connor side of the family.

Vol. 16, No. 5 [Gene — letter missing]

Vol. 16, No. 6 [Pauline]

Washington, D.C.
June 7, 1945

Dearest Gee and Family:

I am assistant nursemaid to David this week while R and H are away on vacation. The chain letters arrived on June 4th and K. forwarded them to me at Rose’s, so I’ll do my part to send it on its way.

I think Sadie’s choice of topic is very good. To me it seems that one of the major headaches is the task that lies before those responsible for rebuilding Germany. By this I do not mean its cities, but its citizens. From birth, the minds of its youth have been poisoned and saturated with such unsound principles, and you have only to look at the picture of the very young boy on Life Magazine’s cover a few weeks ago, to see the arrogance reflected in his character. Since they have been educated to believe that Germany could conquer the world, I believe that the most important problem confronting the post-war planning is to concentrate on a method to completely revolutionize the education of German youth.

Since I have no little boy of my own to brag about and send along his pictures, I have adopted Don and attach the latest one received from him. Since each of you knows that one of the most vital of the Ten Commandments is Thou Shalt Not Steal, I am saying no more on the subject. Don seems to be doing fine job and regardless of the prolonged absence from home, we can thank God he is safe.

I received the same shock as Rose when I realized Joe Voss is the tall boy standing between Elaine and Pauline. And my though when I saw the picture of Elaine throwing a snowball was that you, Cecelia, certainly retain your youth. I would have sworn it is you. It is strange that such a resemblance shows up in a picture and is not noticeable in the person herself. I have never thought you and Elaine look alike.

We have been fortunate in having Dan twice recently and when they are settled in Wilmington, I hope to make a jaunt up there to get acquainted with his small fry.

To date I have no definite vacation plans. It is hard to even realize summer is here, as the weather remains extremely cool.

We had a nice visit with Frank and Bert Callahan last week. Their eldest son graduated from Annapolis yesterday and they were here for June week. To me Bert looks the same as she did the last time I saw her.

Frank is quite happy but just as handsome as ever. Two of their girls are here working and going to American University at nights.

In rereading Sadie’s letter, I just realized that her suggested topic is national politics and not international post-war problem, so I shall just add a thought, since I got off on the wrong foot. I think there will be a terrific number of unemployed people, even though the conversion from war to peacetime production will absorb many of them. As Sadie mentioned, we should have the power to preserve our food for the bread lines that will again form in this country.

Gene, I did not realize that Diane was so seriously ill and am so glad she is getting back to normal again. I am so sorry to know you are having your teeth extracted and hope the change will not be too hard on you.

I’ll take this home tonight and turn it over to Kay so she can add her three cents worth.

How about some callers this summer? We have plenty of room and hope to see as many of you as can make it.

Affectionately and with love,

Paulie

Vol. 16, No. 6-A

Britigny sur Orga, France
25 May 1945

Dear Pauline and K,

Received your letter the other day containing the Christmas package label. It’s certainly strange that it never came through as the address was correct—my serial number is not an integral part of the address.

As you can see my address has now changed. I am no longer doing Quartermaster work, but I’m Adjutant and Squadron Supply Officer of a Material Sq. which handles all types of supplies including Qm. So far I like it very much and believe the experience will be a great help to me after my release from the service.

Another change is that I’m able to disclose my exact location here in France. We’re stationed outside of a small village called Bretigny about twenty miles south of Paris which is quite convenient as an electric train can take us to the heart of the Queen City in a little more than an hour. Our Chateau is even closer as it is about seven miles from the base in a town by the name of Epinay.

Will enclose a picture that I had taken of myself in the office. I turned out fairly well.

Glad to hear that Dan is moving a little closer to you folks. You’ll be able to see a lot of each other now.

Hope that his luck will continue to hold out as far as the Services are concerned. I would be a shame to have to go in at this time.

Give my regards to all

Love
Don

Comments

[Dave2]

I wonder if it's more or less frustrating to have pieces of the whole story or nothing at all? I really can't decide. Pieces are sometimes nothing more than teases of something you can't have! :-)