Dart’s letter sounded as though he was not interested in much except letting Dot know how much she means to him. He mentioned receiving a letter, but tabled answering it until a later date.

He hopes she’s having a wonderful Easter in Cleveland. Reading between the lines, I’d say the holiday, combined with endless hospitalization, has made Dart a little homesick. He admitted to getting emotional when he heard Bing Crosby singing “The Easter Parade.”

Before ending the letter to drop his folks a line for the first time in a few days, he wrote “Did I ever tell you that you are the object of all my love, my best wishes and my fondest desires? If not, consider yourself told, as of this date.”

When I ponder what it is that attracts two people and keeps the attraction alive for a lifetime, I suspect that, aside from the physical and spiritual, timing plays a huge role in fanning the flame. As Dart lingers, bored and lonely in a sterile hospital setting, it’s easy to see how the fresh, friendly, funny voice that comes to him through Dot’s letters provides a warm and comforting tonic. Likewise, this somewhat shy school girl, nearing the end of high school and teetering on the brink of an unseeable adulthood must be thrilled to be the object of such devotion from a smart, funny, sensitive guy. If either of them had been at a different stage or place, would the attraction have taken root and bloomed for decades? Hard to tell, but I know several folks who are glad things worked out as they did!

I have no clue what Dot’s brief note means! Did it accompany some kind of treat? I hope she will enlighten me through this blog, if her memory recalls this one tidbit from 70 years ago.