Try and dress up for the occasion

Omaha, Nebr.
Aug. 9, 1943

Marie - I received the letter dated July 18th from you and I was glad to hear from you. I had already sent a letter to you and I hope that you received it. I should have written to you before and pardon me for not writing sooner. It just happens that some-times I am not in the mood to write.

We have been having quite warm weather lately but as I heard some-body remark that it had been quite good weather this summer and I think so also. Yes it is quite cool here at 2507.

I was out to see Betty yesterday which was Sunday. She seemed in a cheerful mooed and I was glad to see her in good spirits. You know one thing is that there is hardly any pain when one has T.B. Your father didn't go out to the hospital yesterday because he had to work washing walls. So Dora had been out in the afternoon and had brought out different things to Betty.

Yes Lottie sent some kodak pictures of her baby, Martin, the house where they live and also her-self. I must write Lottie and thank her for the pictures.

Betty wrote a letter to Mrs. Ekstrom, did she write to you about it? Mrs. Ekstrom answered Betty's letter and it would be nice if Betty would sent you the letter if you care to read it. Or maybe Betty will keep it so you can read it when you return to Omaha. Mrs. Ekstrom sent a kodak picture of her children also. Wasn't that nice?

I hope Elin and her children came to visit you as planned. I hope Lottie arrived safely with her baby and Martin. I am sure it will be a thrill for you all to be together and meet again after so many years. I know you will have so many things to talk over and discuss. It seems that th meeting place should have been here in Omaha. Don't you think so? Instead of Washington.

I think it would be nice if you and Lottie, Elin and Martin and the 4 children could have your pictures taken together. I think a small picture by a photographer would be the best being this will be a special event. That way you can better remember the time, the place in years to come. But please don't look at the machine with your eyes. But that also means all of you. You could look at your baby and Lottie look at her baby. But remind Martin to look away from the man who takes the picture. Try and dress up for the occasion and take it easy and don't all of you hurry so that you all get all tired out and look tired. So try and concentrate on what I have written about taking the picture and carry out my wishes though I am hundreds of miles away. Thank you.

I received a letter from Elin also Lottie and I will write to them later being this letter to you is going to be this long.

I hope Lottie has made a dress for your baby. I sent her the material and the yoke and bands for sleeves. Let me know the out come. I hope Lottie hasn't forgotten.

I was up to Blair Friday evening for a little visit. I had a few things I wanted to talk over with Garfield. G and his house-keeper during the vacation painted my mother's house the first coat. I wrote to my mother that I wish she would have the second coat grey and the trimming brown. I saw a house painted those colors and I think that those colors would be suited to her house.

I intend to paint the sink in the kitchen as soon as possible. I have the paint and the turpentine.

I hope you will talk over with Elin about coming here. I wish you wouldn't forget to mention the pearl necklace and if possible could you bring it along with you when you come back to Nebraska? I was reading a story by the way about a pearl necklace and oh was it some story. Well it was shocking and I don't see how it could ever be true and only fiction.

While I think of it may I suggest what you can bring back with you for Betty? It is this I haven't bought a book for her kodak pictures. I just wish to remind you and if you don't want to buy one perhaps Elin or Lottie would like to send her one and I think a dark color is best please. I think Betty would appreciate one from one of her sisters very much. But I rather think it would be better not to mention that I wrote about it. Thank you again.

I hope Martin don't forget to close his mouth when not talking and to eat slowly. You may ask him to write to me and answer my letter. Also to let me know how he liked the pictures with the letter.

Please write soon. I shall be waiting to hear form you. And now my best wishes to all.

I must close for this time so good-by.

As ever,
I am,
Your Mother.

P.S. I think Betty will need some corners with a snap shot picture book. Also let me know if you come to any agreement. Thank you.