December 30, 1968
Larry,
Hi, what’s happenin’? What did you do on Christmas? We all went to Charlene and Uncle Jack’s house. It was boring there. Believe me. I left about 5:30. Me, Carol Porter and a bunch of kids went bowling at Cooper’s that night and then went to this party. These two guys were giving it. Both of them were 1967 grads from Anderson High. I thought that party was going to be a drag, but it turned out great. With Pabst, a party can’t be bad. We had fun. Did I ever tell you what I got on my report card? I got one “A”, two “B’s” and one “C” and one and my first “D”. Isn’t that great? Still probably be a “F” the next time. Ask me if I care! Well I better go now. I’m tired and its about 12:00 A.M. now. I have to wake up early and do something with my hair. Write once in a lifetime to me, please…
Love ya,
Carol
December 24-26, 1968
Christmas Eve ’68
Hi, how are you? This is going to be a short letter because my paper supply is limited as my time is. What did you do on Christmas? What are you gonna do on New Years? Do you think you’ll get drunk as anything?
Mother has been busy today. She baked a ham and 3 pumpkin pies. Last night, she made some cranberry salad. Aunt Mary, Uncle Deda and Uncle Ray were just over here. Aunt Mary got me a pretty blue nightgown. Uncle Deda got me a pair of underpants and Uncle Ray got me a real neat yellow dress with a scarf to match. It is really cool. Barbara got me a pretty cool pair of earrings and a bracelet to match. Carol Porter bought me a charm for my charm bracelet. Vicki Lanone got me some scented perfume and Kathy bought me 3 pairs of really cool earrings. Uncle Tommy got me a real neat pair of cameo earrings. So far, we have just opened presents that our aunts and uncles got for us, but will open the rest from mother and Dad on Christmas morning.
“This Christmas holiday has been a lonesome one for me.”
Christmas day [December 25, 1968]
Dear Larry:
Received your Christmas card and were glad you got the package. It wasn’t much, but I am glad you received it. Whatever you want and think we can send to you, write and let me know.
This Christmas holiday has been a lonesome one for me. We had 4 days off and Uncle Harold has been sick and is still in bed. That flu that everyone is getting is bad and it hit him hard as he has bad lungs. Tomorrow starts another work day.
December 22, 1968
December 22, 1968
5:00 P.M.
Dear Larry:
Thought I had better write a few lines since I hadn’t written you the last couple of days. How are you? Ok I hope. Here everyone is ok so far.
Today is the Children’s Christmas Party at the club, so Tresa and Karl went. Tresa just got home with 4 bags of nuts and candy and a gift from Santa. Karl isn’t home as yet and neither is Dad. I imagine Dad will stay until the last dog is gone. Ha. He didn’t have to work today, but I imagine his day will be busy tomorrow.
Today here is a very cloudy, rainy day. The weather man said it is supposed to snow tomorrow, so maybe we just might have a white Christmas.
To Wish You Many Joys at Christmas and Every Happiness in the New Year
December 18, 1968
Hi Larry,
I bet you thought I would never write. I think I got my letter writing done when I was in the service. Their isn’t a day that goes by that my thoughts aren’t with you. We are always praying for you.
Jackie and Kathy are really growing up. you won’t recognize them when you get home. The get into everything, just like you used to. I always mention your name and show your picture to them so they still remember their cousin.
Hope you aren’t having it too rough Larry. I hope you had a good time when you went on R&R. You’d better watch them women!
I was telling Charlene the other day, when you get home we are going to take you over to the Shrimp House in Indianapolis for a lobster dinner. We took a vacation last summer to Maine. That is where they raise them. We had our fill. You could get them a lot cheaper.
Cheryl said to say, “Hello” an d that she is thinking about you!
Charlene said the same. She wishes the best of luck to you. Larry, I am a pretty lucky guy. She is a pretty good gal.
I hope this letter finds you in good health and Larry, whatever you do, always keep your chin up. I am going to close and I know that I am bad at writing. But I always think of you.
God bless you and be careful.
Your Uncle, Jack
December 17, 1968
Tuesday, Dec. 17, 1968
10:30 A.M.
Dear Larry:
I thought I would take time out to write you a few lines.
I went shopping with Joanna yesterday and I am kinda behind on my housework. In a way, I’ll be glad when Christmas is over because it means a lot of running around trying to please my family for Christmas.
I didn’t get anything for you, but like I said in one of the other letters, I’ll buy you what you need when you get home. I doubt if there is anything I can get you to use over there.
Well, how are you doing? How did you spend your birthday? We thought of you on Saturday, and I baked a white cake and fixed half of the turkey that I got for Thanksgiving. We even sang Happy Birthday to you with one candle on the cake, which was Tresa’s idea. The cake and turkey didn’t last long. The next day, the cake was all gone. I let Joanna take some of the turkey and cake home with her.
Hoping that Christmas…
Christmas without you isn’t so merry!
December 15, 1968
Larry,
Hi man, what’s happenin’? What did you do on your birthday? You should’ve seen all the stuff we had to eat on your birthday. We had turkey, dressing, dumplings and white cake. It was really groovy. Has anyone written you about M.H. [Madison Heights] getting zulched by Crispus Attucks? They beat us by about 20 points.
What are you doing on Christmas? Do you think you’ll get drunk? Did you get drunk on your birthday? How did you spend that day? Like usual, huh? Well, have a very merry Christmas.
Love ya,
Carol
Across the Miles with Warmest Wishes – December 1968
Dear Larry:
Even thought you are not home for Christmas, our thoughts are of you and wish you could be here with us. So here is hoping that you are a Merry Christmas and that the new year will bring peace.
Love,
Mom, Dad and Family
