Letter from Clarence Williams to Gretchen Williams, January 2, 1945

Well darling, tomorrow is your birthday, wish I could be there to help celebrate it but that being impossible will do the next best thing, wish you a happy birthday and hope we can be together for your next. I tried to wire some flowers tonite but being after five it was impossible to do so. However I may get a chance to try again tomorrow and if so will hope they arrive in time.

I certainly enjoyed talking with you yesterday, I wish it were possible to do so every day. I think I have seen quite a few of the interesting sights in New York for the period of time we have been here. The performance at Radio City Music Hall was wonderful and the theatre itself is beautiful. Seems almost like a dream. In the Plaza there is an ice rink in the center with a restaurant around the outer edge. They also have the mamouth Xmas tree in the center which I am sure you have previously seen in pictures.

It will be one happy day when we can see the city together and the sooner the better. It’s nice to dream anyway isn’t it.

I sold my old wrist watch today for 15.00 so only have the one I bought from Sgt Bell. I got tired winding both of them and decided one is all that is necessary.

The weather here is very cold, I imagine around 10 to 15 above with a very cold wind. It really feels much colder than that.

I had my hair cut real short today. Have to wear my wool knit cap to keep my head warm. I told the barber to leave about one inch, he left about ½ inch I think, at least its too short to comb. I don’t mind now   any way and it is much easier to keep clean.

Well dear, I don’t know of any more news I can write so will close. I want to drop Dad and Louisa a note and thank them for the card and money. Also want to drop Johnny at the store a line and Kemp in Chicago if I have the time.

Incidentally, I mean to tell you those air mail envelopes I brought with me were all stuck shut so I got some from the Px here. They must have been stored in a damp place as I have kept them in the box since I have had them. Any way, I got some more.