Sunday, 17 January, 1943 - Grace

G. H. N. Sunday    

1 a.m.

My Precious Darling,

It is just over a week ago since we said “Good-bye”.  Darling, it seems like years.  To think that next week at this time I shall be at home but you will not be there.  It is a dreadful thought.  I am not looking forward to my “nights off” one bit.  I suppose that mother could really do with me at home though.  I had a letter from Dad this morning and he said that he was still in bed with ‘flu.

Now Darling – allow me to congratulate you.  I am so proud of you.  In fact I feel as thrilled with your Good Service Certificate as if it were my own.  I remember you telling me about it quite well – I have often thought about it since you mentioned it, but thought you would let me know when it became official.  I will have to trip over to Pay Bed Wing when I go off duty.  I know that Kit will be pleased to hear about it.

What do you think my last admission was?  A mother with a six day old baby!  Whew!  The youngest I have had anything to do with is 6 months but 6 days – well – when I heard that it was coming in I nearly collapsed myself.

Of course, I have had my leg pulled unmercifully about it – you know, such comments have been passed as – “Well Skuse – you will get some good experience” – and various others that are unprintable.

What an awful journey it must have been for you.  I thought that mine was bad enough but yours was worse.

I was sorry to hear that your Grandma is getting weaker, but life cannot hold much for her in her condition, can it?

I must stop for a little while now as it is time for Sister to do a round and I have a few drugs to give.

It is now 8.45 a.m.  Since I wrote the previous sentence I have not had a minute to spare.  A silly woman decided to take pure Lysol so consequently had to be admitted on our ward.  She only lived about half-an-hour in spite of all our efforts.  Of course that entailed a bit more work.  What do you think?  She had false teeth!!

Ah me!  This hospital life.  Here am I, telling you about suicides and babies and I am sure they cannot really interest you.  Talking shop however is a bad habit of the nursing profession.

I think I know something that might interest though, but it is some-thing you have heard heaps of times before – in fact, it is quite an old story, and it is that I still love you Darling.  I never dreamt that being in love with anybody could be such a marvellous feeling.  I used to think that it was something people wrote about but no-body really experienced.  We have both experienced it, haven’t we Darling?

I cannot help but think of how much I tried to shut out of my life.  I really owe you a debt for teaching me that I was wrong.  You were so persistent when I said that so far I had done what I intended doing and you have been so patient with me.  Some day Darling – I will repay you for it all!

Sorry Darling but this letter will have to end now.  The joys of being a nurse!!  I forgot to leave the “returns” at the office so have to dash over with them.

All my love Precious.  Yours for ever, Grace  xxxxxxx

Lecture Room  10.10 a.m.

Just thought I would write a bit more as I have not had chance to post my letter yet.  I have just received a letter from Janet.  She has enclosed two skeins of green silk.  She went to Barnsley last week with her Mother & saw the silks but they would only let her have two skeins.  Sweet of her, wasn’t it?

Sister has arrived and given us some notes to write upon women’s aliments.  Having copied them from some brief ones I made yesterday.  I thought I had better say Bye Bye.  Love Darling, Grace xxxxx