2270 South Vine
Come with me as I meet my Mother through this series of letters, she died when I was 6 months old and this is my very first real glimpse into her world, who she was, who she wanted to be and how she loved my Father.
A collection of 36 letters hand written by my Mother Joyce at University of Denver and sent to my Father Earl at University of Colorado Boulder when they were first engaged in 1952. The letters span from September 1952 - January 1953. My Mother died from Breast Cancer in 1971 at the age of 40. The original language of the letters is read intact to maintain the integrity of the authenticity of her words, 1952 is a very different time culturally and economically.
2270 South Vine
Letter 8 10/13/1952 Homecoming Plans and Monday Emotions
In this October 13th, 1952 letter, Joyce shares another vivid snapshot of her college life—from skipping classes and planning the homecoming dance to musing about corsages, psychiatric interviews, and Monday blues. Amid playful teasing and heartfelt longing, she reflects on her finances, piano practice, dorm life, and the weekly emotional rhythm of missing her sweetheart. Packed with charm, dry humor, and a tender close, this letter blends small college details with big feelings.
Topics include:
- Skipping class and sharing coffee with friends
- Homecoming dance logistics and corsage dilemmas
- Psychiatrist interviews and tongue-in-cheek “sex problems”
- Piano practice and organ rental aspirations
- Dorm cleaning and roommate surprises
- Financial relief and future Christmas travel plans
- The emotional arc of missing Earl week after week
October 13th, 52 on scratch pad paper and starting in pen. Dear sweetheart, how's my darling tonight? What a day this has been. I cut three classes going only to genetics. George, Barb and I had coffee in the union. George bought everything we ate. We really had a lot of fun though. Barb asked if we were going to the dance.
She is going to ask Cecil to go, but has no winter suit and hates to go to dances in his uniform. George told me afterwards that if Jerry or looks like Ron went, perhaps he and Eddie could go with them and maybe we could pick Barb up. I told him we would be very much, we would like very much to have them, George and Eddie, with us.
but that if either Jerry or Ron were going and he wanted to, it would be nice if we picked Barb up. I told Barb we could all meet at the dance anyway. George insists on getting Eddie some corsage other than the traditional mum in school colors, but I hope I can.
talk him into following the custom for homecoming dances. But maybe Eddie won't mind either way. I'll find out if an order has to be placed ahead of time for the mum. George tried to tell me Jerry's baby was born 10 and a half months after they were married and that Dee Dee only told him she was pregnant to hook him. But he told me their anniversary and I counted up and it didn't come to 10 and a half.
So he shut up. Good for you, mom. I feel pretty good today. Too good for comfortable, too good for comfort, really. Although my breasts are more sore than ever and I've had a few pains through the day. Barb told us that one of the fellows went to the psychiatrist for his interview for the education sequence. The psychiatrist asked him if he
had any sex problems and he said no. The psychiatrist then told him, you must, everyone has sex problems. George is threatening to tell you in front of everyone at the dance that I said I didn't have any sex problems. So you must be a better man than.
He thought, for the rest of the morning, anytime anyone said something that could be taken two ways, the rest of us said, do you have any sex problems? The party almost got rough, so we all got up and went home. I hope some lady tells the psychiatrist they don't have any sex. In case you're wondering, just count it up and you're ahead of Jeff.
Barb thinks George has changed quite a bit. The first thing he said to her was, Barb, remember last year when I told you I knew just the boy for Joyce? Strange, isn't it? Tonight, I practiced an hour and 20 minutes. I still can't play, but maybe after tomorrow, I'll at least be able to do a little technique. You can have George's ID card for the game as he has to work.
Did I tell you I got the little man to come and hang my picture above the desk? It's an organ, quite a beautiful picture. If things keep up financially, they crossed out the way they have. I'm going to splurge and rent the organ occasionally at the church, at the little church over here. My roommates are cleaning our bedroom, much to my amazement.
I'll have to scrub the kitchen or bathroom floor tomorrow.
house meeting tonight. So I want to get a bath some more washing and a chapter read in Ed Soche. Are you lonesome tonight, sweetheart? I am. I take you to bed with me if you were here. Last night, I went right to the bed and got quite a bit of sleep. Anyway, I'm not any more sleepy than I ever am. I weighed on your father's scales last evening.
and I've lost a few pounds must be because I don't get up in time to eat breakfast anymore. There was the need.
There was the most darling little blonde boy with a little black kitten out in one of the yards today. I almost kidnapped them both. My Xmas vacation starts the 14th of December. That will give me only three and a half weeks of vacation.
I'll probably come back around the 28th or 29th unless something goes uncanny goes I think we're just going to say uncanny like trouble at home. But I'll get my return trip ticket before I leave. Perhaps I can ride back with Dan Baker and save the way fare anyway. Work was very easy today.
Luckily, because I couldn't keep my mind on a thing all day. All I could think of was you. Sometime I'm going to get used to these Monday emotions. Monday I just sit and long for you. Tuesday I begin to get used to being alone. And Wednesday I start counting the days till Friday, which seems like eternity. Thursday comes and Friday doesn't seem so far away. By the time Friday comes, I can stand anything because I know you'll soon be here.
And then I start all over again. The kids moved the furniture around in the bedroom. I hope I can still find my knitting bag and box of soap. Darling, I'm going to leave you now, much as I hate to, as you don't seem so far away when I'm writing to you or when I'm reading your...
letters, but I really want to get a bath before house meeting. So good night, my love and goodbye till next time. I love you more than life itself. And I miss you so much. All my love always. Joy see. And then there's a lot of things underneath that. Uh, the first one says, can I take your picture to bed with me tonight? P S I just discovered that I have $25 and 50 cents saved up.
With the $12.50 I spent for books, I guess my job is paying off more than I ever dared believe. I think I'll go down to the bank Friday and put $25 in my account and see about getting the 300 from Gilman. My piano lessons are all that's left to be paid for and my train fare at Xmas and Xmas presents.
So I guess I'll quit worrying about finances for a while. Goodbye again, and I love you lots.
