January 3, 1944

Sgt Stanley W Safford 39539976

5^th Auxiliary Surgical Group

Dodd Field

Fort Sam Houston

Texas

January 3, 1944

Dear Mother:

You regular mail letter arrived Friday morning telling me of the very sad news of Ed Harper’s passing away and then Friday afternoon your Air mail arrived telling me the news.  It certainly made me mad to think of it coming here so slowly.

It was certainly a great surprise to me as he was the last person I would ever think of dying so suddenly.  But as you say it may have been as a result of the accident he had last Spring.  Did they ever get anything from the insurance company.  I wonder if Mai Belle has enough to keep her for awhile and to pay all expenses.  She is certainly a grand and brave person to go through all this.  How did Grandma take the news?   She as you say would have been the one whom I would have more expected to go.  What are Mai Belle’s immediate plans or does she have any?  It was Christmas day when I received a good sized fruit cake from them.  I have not cut it as yet but it certainly smells good.  She also mentioned sending me a manicure set as soon as she got downtown again.  In my letter to her I asked her not to unless she already had done so since she would very likely be so busy with other things now to worry about it for me.  I thanked her for her kind thoughts tho for me. 

I also received a couple days after Christmas a nice box of cookies, olives and candy from Aunt Nina, also received a box from Joseph containing a little steel mirrors and come plus nail file.  Another small fruit cake and “Goodbye Mr. Chips” from Mrs. Scheltema. Also received a couple more late Christmas cards.

Yes, I did spend a lot of time on Christmas cards, enjoyed it until the crowds became so thick. 

I hope the candy is good.  Altho it very likely will not be as good as Seis.  The soap in English is called “Fragrance of Love”.

I certainly appreciate the many nice gifts you sent me.  The sweater has come in handy here in the office in the mornings a couple of times.  I have worn it over my shirt regardless of whether it has been G I or not.

I have heard of Blue Hour perfume.  Save the bottle for me so that I may send it to Mrs. Tedesco.  Of course empty.

I have not as yet heard from Marshall or Marie or any of the others.

I spent a very quiet New Year’s with Mr. Kinsfather.  We went to dinner and show after.  Dorothy joined us later.  Stayed in town until about 12:30 then came home and went to bed.  Got up the regular time yesterday and put in the regular Saturday work.  I will have to write Jay again.  I try and write him about twice to his one to avoid his remarks about being so slow.

After the completion of the sand table I will try and send you a picture of it.  Did you ever get the negatives which I last sent developed?  I am enclosing two which Kupfer took on his camera.  They are not very good as far as the taking of them goes but fair of me.  Let me know what you think of them.

The wool sox you mention would not be bad.  I have the three pairs the government issues and the other light weight brown ones. 

Well good night for now and excuse this awful writing.  I am rather tired.

As ever,

Love,

Stanley