Underneath the date, Dart subtitled his letter “Woman’s Day.” I think that refers to the old tradition that women could propose to men on Feb. 29.

He does a funny bit on the “Girls on Probation” film Dot had mentioned in her letter. After mimicking the ads that run in the Chicago papers for such “educational” films as this, he adds that he’s glad the film scared her out of a life of crime. “I’m glad to hear that you have decided to go straight. I like girls better when they don’t snatch purses and rob delicatessen stores.”

Next, he assures Dot that however they choose to spend their time together on his leave is alright with him, although he does have some preferences. Movies are too “common place” so he hopes they’ll do something more interesting. His dancing hasn’t improved since the last time he saw her, but he’s game to try it again, if she is.  Mostly, he just wants to be with her and tell her in person how much she means to him.

He has no idea when his leave will come through. In fact, he’ll not know until the day before it happens. Meanwhile, he’s trying his best to get better, and he truly believes he is.

Because there is no letter from Dot written on this day, I’ve decided to use the space for some of my own thoughts. This week, I had the opportunity to spend some time in an airport of a major American city. During my layover, I found an empty lounge and settled into a seat with a clear view of the concourse. As I watched the river of people flowing by, I thought of Dot’s penchant for people-watching at Grand Central Station and I had a fantastical idea. What if 17-year old Dot Chamberlain had stumbled into a time wrinkle in 1944 and suddenly found herself in the same place and time I was now occupying. What would be her impressions of the sights before her? What would she notice first?

Certainly the fashions of the passersby would be different. In 2014, women in dresses are as rare as men in fedoras. The is an abundance of denim – and not just worn by farmers or laborers. Generally, style has been marching ever more relentlessly toward comfort and casualness. Look! There’s a teen girl in what appear to be flannel pajamas! I suspect Dot might have been stunned by the ubiquity of tattoos – especially on females.

But moving beyond modern day apparel, what would have struck Dot’s eye as curious or futuristic? I think she would have been amazed at the materials around her. What are these chairs covered with? It isn’t fabric and it isn’t leather, although it seems to be mimicking the hide of a bright blue cow. The luggage is something out of the world of  Buck Rogers! And nobody is carrying it – they pull it along behind them! People are drinking water out of clear bottles that look like glass, but can be easily crushed when empty. What is that? And the food shops are everywhere! There is an endless variety of pre-packaged, easy-to-carry food. Does no one pack sandwiches from home, wrapped in wax paper any more? Why does everyone hold a small rectangle to their ear, pausing occasionally to tap it frantically with their thumbs?

I also wonder what young Dot would have made of the periodic announcing over the PA system that reminded people not to leave bags unattended or watch the bags belonging to anyone else. Would she find it eerie to be among a throng of strangers who could not be trusted? Would she be afraid of what kind of society we had become?

But I think what might amaze and please young Dot the most is the astounding diversity of the people passing by. There are people of all shades and ages. Dot might be impressed by the number of very elderly people who are passing through this bustling corridor – many being pushed in wheelchairs, but seeming to enjoy the adventure. Perhaps if there was anyplace in 1944 America that boasted international diversity rivaling today’s society, it would have been Grand Central Station in NYC, but I think Dot would be gratified to see  black people striding through this airport like they have a right to be there – as indeed, they do!

What else might have made an impression on this time-traveling teen from the 1940s? I’d love to hear Mom’s thoughts on the subject – and any one else’s as well.