style="font-size:15px;"> Our son Paul Junior is doing fine and I am busting my buttons as the proud father! At the rate he is crawling (here he is at my chair as I write), I figure he will be walking soon.
Have a good summer working at the Y Camp. Teach those young hooligans nasty words in French. They’ll eat it up.
Give my regards to your parents. If they seem strict about not dating until you graduate, just remember that from their point of view they are fearful it will lead to kissing and (quelle horreur!) canoodling! Notice how I worked a French phrase in to make you smile.
Affectionately,
Uncle Paul
Milo Oberson High School
212 Park Place
Brooklyn, N.Y.
June 12, 1946
Dear Miss Royster:
I am writing to commend you for your excellent academic record in your high school years. I join with your parents in their pride for your achievements.
I understand that you will continue with your study of the French language to prepare for a position as translator at the new United Nations edifice in Manhattan. My very best wishes to you in all your endeavors. I am sure you will do well.
Sincerely,
M. Edgar Jones
Principal
Sparta, N.Y.
June 20, 1946
Dear Lucile,
I am so very proud of you. Your mother sent me a copy of your valedictory address at the high school commencement exercises. A very good speech except for the whistling at the conclusion.
Ah, well. If you are going to be a hellion, at least you will be a well-educated one. I am being humorous.
Sincerely,
Your Grandmother
Mrs. Zachary P. Thomas
Millvale and Duboise
321 Madison Avenue
New York, NY
August 23, 1946
Miss Lucile Royster:
With this letter I confirm your employment with Millvale and Duboise as a General Management Aide, commencing Tuesday, September 3 at 8:00 a.m. At that time, please report to my office for your introduction to other staff and your desk assignment. Your remuneration will be $72.00 per week, less deductions, with seven (7) paid holidays and one week paid vacation annually.
All of us at Millvale and Duboise look forward to your employment with us.
Sincerely yours,
G. Philip Duboise, Jr.
Personnel Officer
GPD, Jr./avc
The Bronx, N.Y.
December 5, 1950
My dear Lucy,
Please forgive me for telephoning you at the office yesterday afternoon about Roy. The Army Officers rang my doorbell at 1:30 pm to give me the news that my son was killed in action at Chosin Reservoir on the 30th, as was most of B Company, 31st Infantry. I was so agitated that they called my next-door neighbor in to sit with me. That is when I telephoned you. I simply did not know what else to do except to share our grief together.
Roy loved you very much and was looking forward to the wedding once he had fulfilled his military duty.
Please come and see me when you can.
Warmly,
Mrs. Roy Puller, Sr.
Sparta, N.Y.
December 7, 1950
My dear child,
You mother called to tell me of Roy’s death in Korea. I join you in your grief.
Always remember that Roy died a hero for his country against the godless Chinese and Koreans.
It is Pearl Harbor Day as I write you. The defense of freedom carries a high price, as my husband often said. He, too, paid the price. Now, regrettably, you and I have a stronger common bond through the men we loved.
Your mother says you have been given a week off. Please come and see me and we shall console each other.
With deepest sympathy,
Your Grandmother
Mrs. Zachary P. Thomas
Sparta, N.Y.
June 5, 1952
Dear Lucile:
After your mother informed me of your elopement, I pressured her to tell me of your new address and at last she has sent it to me.
I will speak to you plainly. You are old enough to have a handle on life, and if your heart has led you to James Scott I say, God bless your union. Now for something even your mother does not know. When I was your age, I ran off with a dashing Army lieutenant named Zachary Paul Thomas, much against my parents’ wishes and warnings. My mother was a martinet, and I regret to say I am more like her than I wish to admit. However, Zach and I had a wonderful marriage and three wonderful children. May you be so blessed as well.
Life as an Army wife was not easy. Your life with James will not be easy. But if you are true to each other and able to overcome difficulties together, you will have the joy of shared memories later on.
I have appreciated our conversations and confidences in recent years. Please come and see me – with James – when it is possible for you to do so.
And do remember: your parents’ hurt and feelings of rejection will heal. You are their only child and they will not want to lose you forever. We all have the ability, if we choose to use it, to come to terms with uncomfortable facts. My parents did and so will yours.
Your Loving Grandmother,
Mrs. Zachary P. Thomas
May 24, 1953
Dear Precious Lucy,
We have a first anniversary celebration dinner with our friends at Stragoni’s on the day you will receive this,
