My birthday came and went but I didn’t tell anyone about it—thought I would just wait until I got home and we will celebrate it then—okay?
Mom, you shouldn’t say such sweet things about me because I am no different from any other fellow—I just have the best mom and dad in the world and a fellow can’t help but be a good fellow with good parents like you and Dad—
I know just how Wilson felt when he prayed for God’s help—the good Lord is always there in answer to one’s prayers—I don’t believe I would be here today if He hadn’t heard my prayers—I always believed that Wilson would come back to the fold and I’m happy to hear he has—
No Mom, my boxes haven’t arrived yet but I’m sure they will be here soon—Moving around always slows down one’s mail—My Christmas was very quiet—well, to tell the truth, it was just another day here—I had the O.O.D. watch Xmas day and we went on about our daily duty— The chaplain came to our base and I went to the services—New Years was just the same—I went to bed about ten and didn’t even wake up when the New Year came in—I thought about the many times I have called you at midnight on New Years eve—Remember? I bet I’m home next year or rather this year—I’ll have my eighteen months overseas in July—so they will send me home then if I don’t get home sooner. I haven’t any idea when I will get home—I can’t tell you much about what I’m doing now or rather what I will do—but it is something that the Navy has never done before—of course, there’s a good possibility that we won’t be used—especially since the Germans made that big break through and that ole man winter has set in and sorta frozen us up. It has been snowing all day and everything is covered with a white blanket—very beautiful to see—guess we will just sit around and wait—
I had stopped smoking while I was in England but since I came back over here, I have started again— it sorta helps pass the time—I don’t smoke much—we get five packs a week and I usually trade or give most of mine away—so don’t go to the trouble of getting them, Mom—you are sweet to think about them---
So Don has a girlfriend—well that’s good---just as long as it doesn’t interfere with his studies and sports—I remember when I was in the grade school and I had a girl—well maybe it was three girls—of course that was before I lost my curly locks—I know Don will be a fine, clean living boy because he has you and Dad to keep him on the right path and influencing him with your teachings which are the best a fellow could ask for—I can teach Don the fundamentals of football and other sports, but I could never give him the main fundamentals of life that you and Dad are giving him—clean living, honesty, and Christianity—
Mom, I’m sure those pillow cases must be beauties—I just hope the day is soon that I can lay my bald head on one of them as I thank God that I’m home—thanks a million, Mom—
I didn’t get to see Horace because I had to leave for France on the week that I had planned on visiting him—I called him and talked to him just before I left—so we made a date when I get back to England—
Don’s letter was really good—I enjoyed it lots and will answer him tomorrow—but right now I’m getting sleepy so we’ll close for tonight—I hope you can read this— the table is occupied and I’m writing from my lap and the magazine doesn’t make such a good writing table—
Now don’t worry about me Mom—I’m safe, healthy, and intend to stay that way— take good care of yourself, Pop, and Don and write often—
Love you all,
Stormy