3 July 1941 – Queens, New York

Dearest Marion,

Although you have been gone but a few hours I miss you immensely.  Your charms, when you are near, have been very lucrative to my wants of happiness and joy.  Last night I remained awake for a few hours thinking of you.  Last night before eI went to bed I read a little verse which caught my attention, thus;

Your voice is like bells over roofs at dawn;

When a bird flies

And the sky changes to a fresher color,

Speak, Speak beloved,

Say little things

For my ears to catch

And run with them to my heart.

I think that was very nice and full of ideas.  But thus far all I have written is a lot of bologna.  The main reason for this note was to remind you that I, Lawrence John Peter Raymond Reilly, Esq., love you.  (I ain’t kiddin’ see.)  Every time I tell you that you always say I don’t think so; well this is one time you can’t answer back.  Well sweetheart although this isn’t what I had planned to write it seems the same purpose.  It’s getting late and I must retire, aboard the 7:25 express to Chambers St.  Enjoy yourself dear.  I’ll be thinking of you.

Love & Kisses,

Larry

P.S. Millions of kisses for you and one for Ethel and one for Dotty. LR

Notes: Ethel was Nan’s older sister and Dotty was Nan’s cousin, Dorothy Stamm, the daughter of Mae.  Mae was Gerald Thomas’s (Old Pop) sister.

The poem is Prime by Amy Lowell, written in 1922.