Letter from Grandma O’Neil to Uncle Charles – December 1941

hi everyone, 

When Dad passed away i took a little brown notebook with  "Private keep out" written on a piece of masking tape.  and so i did until now.  This book is Grandmother O'Neil's diary that she kept while Dad was overseas.  This is one excerpt I thought everyone would enjoy.  I am particularly intrigued with Dad's interest in a Chinese mission of this Father Waldron.  I am guessing he visited the school or church the family attended and made an impression on the young man.  

Needless to say I am typing the journal up (with blessings from the patriarch of the family) with the hopes a Pittsburgh paper will print it because there's too much good karma to keep these entries in a box any longer.

cheers,

John

ps., if there is anyone who knows a private investigator in san francisco i still want to find this clinical psychologist named dr laura originally from Larrabe Iowa.  i will be in the bay area and I'd like to have lunch with the good doctor.  thanks in advance

Fri. A.M Dec-12-41

Dear Charles,

            My heart is aching this morning not any more than any other day, but sometimes I can restrain myself more than other times, I must not not let these youngsters see my feelings, honest Charles I wish you could see Jack and Billie they have been saving pennies for Christmas and between them they have about three hundred and all we have heard is the rattling and the counting of them until my head is rattling, but they are so worked up and enthused over Christmas that I must help them as they don’t understand these times and it would not be fair to take the joy of Christmas from them. Well Charles for your Christmas present, I asked Margaret, Ursula, Dad, Aunt Lizzie, Mrs Griffin, Bill Stuthers Mrs Robinson, and Dolores the secretary at church and they all gave me money which I sent to to Father Waldron of the Chinese mission for your safety of soul and body and Ruth Miller is sending me a dollar today and then I will send it to one of my mission priest for your benefit.

Well Charles I was fortunate to hear, assist and offer up four masses this morning and received Holy Communion for you.

Again I beg God and His Blessed Mother to take care of you.