20 December, 1943

438^th AAA AW BN

APO 527 % Postmaster, N.Y.

Monday, Dec 20, 1943 1430

England

Dearest sweetheart –

I am now at the hospital in my office. The sun is streaming thru the windows behind me – and that, dear, is a rare treat. Since I’ve been in England proper the sun has shone brightly on only 3 days. Stars have been out and visible on 4 or 5 nights. All the rest of the time it’s cloudy, misty, foggy – or a combination of all three.

Anyway – today is clear and it makes me feel better – although I felt especially homesick a couple of hours ago. One of the doctors here at the hospital received orders today returning him to Washington, D.C. – immediately and by the most available route of transportation. He’ll probably fly back. But here’s the catch, darling: he spent 16 months in Iceland and 5 months here – so no one begrudges him his going home. But it makes a fellow awfully wistful, dear – awfully.

When I got back from the club last night, I wrote you, dear – so nothing much has happened since then. After breakfast this a.m. – I spent the morning at the hospital and saw a couple of interesting cases – one fellow with a swollen jaw, exact cause as yet obscure, and another fellow with an interesting knee case.

This afternoon I’ve got an appointment to meet a fellow and play some squash. I’m still stiff all over from a game the other day, but another workout will really limber me up. I’ve been in poor condition from a stamina and wind point of view for some time. Why, darling, I recall I could only kiss you for about 18 minutes before having to take a breath and I know I should do better than that.

A little while ago I got some concentrated sunshine in the form of ultra-violet light. They have a swell machine here and it’s a good opportunity to get a nice tan as well as Vitamin D.

I went into town several days ago, darling, and while moseying about found a book store. One little book caught my eye because of its title, so I bought it. The name: “I Love You, I Love You, I Love You,” by Bemelmans. You can see, darling why I purchased it. It has some delightfully humorous free hand drawings on every other page or so. I haven’t started it as yet – but I will – soon,

2000

Well, sweetheart,

It seems as if I can’t finish a letter I start in one sitting. Several things turn up to interrupt me – and before you know it – it’s time to eat. I stayed to see what the movie would be. It was a German film “Baptism of Fire” – which I saw somewhere in the States over a year ago. It deals with the German invasion of Poland and has German dialogue only. After seeing the start of it, I left for our quarters – where I am now, dear.

I haven’t had any mail from you or the folks for some time now. I guess I ought to hear soon now. I’ll be glad when Christmas is over and we perhaps get a little better mail service. After the war, Sweetheart, I’m going to ask you to write me for awhile, even if we’re living together in Salem – just to get the thrill of receiving a letter the day after it’s written.

I’m going to get ready for bed now, dear, and pleasant thoughts of you. I haven’t had a good dream about you for about 3 nights, now, and I’m going to complain if I don’t have a real good one in the next couple of nights, dearest.

Before saying “good-night”, darling – remember that the author of the book has no corner on the words of his title – so I can also say “I love you, I love you, I love you” – and mean it sincerely. Be well, dear, and take care of yourself. I understand that it’s a bad winter in New England – so don’t get any colds. I feel fine physically, myself, especially with a workout every other day. I’ll soon be in good shape – and as I’ve said before dear – I’m saving myself only for you.

All my love, darling

Greg

* TIDBIT *

about the author of I Love You, I Love You, I Love You

This book, a light collection of the exploits and escapades of a world traveler, was written by Ludwig Bemelmans and published in 1942. Bemelmans moved from Austria to the United States in 1914 at the age of 16. He started out and became successful in the restaurant and hotel business before authoring his first book in 1934. In 1939 he published, Madeline, named for his wife and fashioned after his daughter, Barbara. More Madeline books followed and Bemelmans eventually wrote a total of 15 children's books. In addition, he not only wrote articles and illustrated covers for the New Yorker and other magazines, but also published many books for adults.

Here are scans of the copy of I Love You, I Love You, I Love You that Greg sent to Wilma, including the inside cover with notation, the Title page and the Table of Contents:

CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE