Things were heating up on the home front, a little more with each passing day. Nate and I were feeling bad about Mom but most of all were stressed by being separated as the crisis developed.
Meanwhile, I figured out that when Nate was finished with Army camp and came north to spend time with my folks, there would be no place for him to stay. They would have moved from their large home to a small one with only two bedrooms: one for them and one for my brother Tom. I had planned to stay with them, too, as before. But now what would we do?
June 29, 1969 – Dear Nate, a beautiful person. Tonight as my thoughts turned to Ft. Riley and to my fiancé and his phone call early this morning, I suddenly realized how very much I love him and need him, and how I’m longing to be married to him. My eyes filled with tears and I was overwhelmed with love for the man I will marry in November. At that moment I wanted you next to me so bad that I got a stomach ache. You are so far away! I NEED to be with you.
June 29, 1969 – Dearest Meg. I love you, and have been thinking a wonderful thought – that you will be the mother of our children. Let’s name the first girl Karen Meg. What do you think? Well, after another 17 hours washing pots and pans, I should sleep now. Tomorrow we’re having a big inspection here. Lots of pressure and rushing around. I’m thankful that the July 4th weekend is a sure thing for us. Has the ring arrived yet?
June 29, 1969 – Dear Nate. Mary called me tonight, and we talked over an hour, steamrolling right past a planned get-together with my friend Kathy. Mom had called Mary, all upset about our choice to get married in November. She said I never came “home” except to drop things off or get things, and that she wished I would spend more time there. Since I had just been there to talk with them, that hurt… and I started to bawl on the phone to Mary. Oh how I wish you were here to help me through this! It makes me feel like not going home at all, but I know that would only turn into a bigger problem later on. I’ve got to keep trying to get closer to Mom, offering more chances to talk with her. I wish she would have told me this when I was just there, rather than calling Mary instead. But Mary was very encouraging tonight, telling me things will get better once I have the ring. She also said that the final decision about a wedding date is up to us, and the parents will eventually accept it and be positive. I wonder.
June 29, 1969 – Dearest Meg. I am so excited to see you soon and am thinking about you and our wedding non-stop. We have so many delicious things to talk about when you come! Thanks for being patient with this separation. I am going to be a husband worthy of you. I pray for us throughout every day. Our inspection is today, and I suppose the outcome will be based on some Army major’s whim.
June 29, 1969 – Dear Nate. Come August, you and I will have nowhere to stay together. My folks will have moved, and there won’t be room for us. I guess we’ll be homeless. And for me, jobless, too. Ugh.
“As far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” (Romans 12:18)
Today Don and I celebrate 46 years of marriage. My heart tracks so often with you as you share your letters. I have ours. Don did a stint in Fort Riley, letters were our method of communication as phone calls were expensive. Those calls were treasured and even today I recall how I loved to hear his voice. I mark today with extreme gratitude for I know that only God knows the number of our days and I do not take one for granted. I pray now for you this next week as you enter a season with out Nate and now Mary. God will carry you but those empty heart spaces will be felt and for that I ask God to carry you close. Love, Claudia E