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Home | Letters from Roslyn to Walter Felson sent during World War II |
12 --Midnight
New Year - 1944
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Happy New Year Sweetheart --
I've waited up until this moment to say "Happy New Year" to you and
bid the old year good bye -- hoping for a better one in 1944 and a victorious
one. I had thought about going over to Tenny's -- in fact they called me to
come over - but I'm not in the mood and I didn't want to leave the kids alone
lest they awaken and become frightened.
It's funny, but this supposedly exciting moment doesn't feel any different to me than any of the others in the past months. It is just one month since we parted. The New Year has been ushered in -- but it still feels like 1943 to me. I keep wondering where you are. I suppose still en route -- that is while I'm writing this letter, but not when you receive it.
The snow fall has really been the loveliest I've ever seen. It's deep enough to be beautiful and still the weather is mild enough so that is can be enjoyed without being frost-bitten. Both kids were out in it almost all day and had great fun. The temperature is about 30 degrees, and even warmer when the sun is out. I pulled Elaine and Beverlee downtown on the sled today and Lanie loved it. (Judy was sliding down the hill in back of Lough's house - she goes in for the more rigorous winter sports.)
As you will notice by the enclosures, Judy has suddenly discovered the she can draw objects and copy words. She writes letters to you all during the day --making all sorts of drawings.
They have both been swell and happy as larks. They repeatedly look at your picture and kiss it -- Judy today, looked intently at the photograph and said "oh daddy, I wish you were real."
Judy is becoming such a diplomat, or should I say a Conniver. Whenever she doesn't want Elaine to have something of hers, she distracts her attention beautifully with some other object of interest. Today she was making some sort of design on the peg-set (she makes new complicated designs all the time) which she left for a moment. Elaine came into the room, heading for the peg-table, whereupon Judy - very excitedly cried, Lanie, do you want me to read you a story? Of course Lanie was delighted and completely forgot about the pegs - for the time being.
Judy does this type of psychological maneuvering numerous times during the day and it usually works, unless Lanie has already made the attack and taken possession --then it's rather difficult to sell her a bill of goods and mother usually has to come to the rescue with her various means of distraction and diversion. This child rearing is an interesting and fascinating - sometimes trying all day job. If it were my only time consumer -- it would be enjoyable at all times -- but with all the other routine duties and in my present frame of mind - I find some of the incidents rather trying. The pleasure and fun overshadows the other side thought and when all is well and normal again things will be different. I hope it's not too long until our lives are back to normal again.
We send all our love to you sweets.
Ros
Copyright © 2001 by Judith Felson Duchan
Last revised:
Please send comments or corrections to duchan@acsu.buffalo.edu