Thursday, November 16th, 1944

Darling Joan,

It was so nice to have another letter from you and a great surprise to receive a picture card the next day too.

I was very sad to hear your sad news of Corky – I know how very much attached you all were to him and it must have been heart-breaking for you to see him suffering so. It was much the kindest way to put him to sleep and I do hope you saw it in that light, but it’s very hard.

Only 5 weeks to Christmas now, how time does fly sometimes – and yet with some things it does drag so. Tomorrow is the last day for posting Christmas greetings to the States and I have been out this afternoon trying to find something I could send you. I am so tired of sending books and nothing but books, and I did want to get you something a little more personal. I found this little scarf and do hope you will like it. It was only 1 coupon and I could spare that quite well. I’m afraid it had to be books for Teddy and Sandy, but I hope they won’t mind very much.

We are feeling rather quiet this week, as we are all alone again, except of course for Betty. Auntie Rosie and Uncle George brought Brian last weekend and Nanny went back with them after staying 6 weeks. I miss her help quite a bit, and of course it’s someone to talk to when everyone is out. Auntie Rosie wants us to go to Orpington again for Christmas, but we can’t do that because of Betty and she will only have one day’s holiday, so I expect we will be alone. Anyway we will play games with the twins and enjoy the holiday as much as possible. I do hope you all have a Merry time. I would like you to describe your Christmas Eve, Joan. I believe some of the old customs are still kept in the States. I expect Daddy will dig the Christmas tree up and decorate it but our fairy lights are broken and they made it so pretty.

I was glad for you, to know the Ogdens are back again as you liked Cricket so well, and she is the only one of your American friends that we have a picture of. She has been away so long that you’ll have plenty to talk about, won’t you?

Anne is enjoying her Brownies very much, and I fancy they are being taken to a pantomime at Watford this Christmas some time. She is to let them know if she can go or not at the next meeting. And of course she will go.

Well, darling, I am finishing with a phrase I read in a very nice book I read this week, and I think you will agree it’s very beautiful. It is “God send you happy”. Bless you

All my love
Mummy
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