During the summer of 1968, I traveled back to southern California to spend a third summer with our cousins there. Nate followed ROTC’s lead into his first compulsory summer of Army training, this one at Ft. Benning, Georgia.
Because my degree hadn’t been in elementary education, my teaching position in the Chicago Public Schools required ongoing adult education classes toward certification. I enrolled at Cal State for the necessary classes to assure I’d still have a job when September came. An increased distance between Nate and I didn’t dampen his enthusiasm at all.
Quietly he “upped” his commitment by beginning to save and re-read my letters(which I now have). And I began answering his mail more often. But since I was still signing my letters with just my name, he stopped signing “Love, Nate” and returned to “Your friend, Nate.”
June 15, 1968 – Meg, I think back to last June, in the early part. I remember going to a movie with you, and you wore a pretty yellow dress. Then I saw you this last January, and your hair was cut shorter. You were still very nice. I remember you and think a great deal about you. Have a good time in California. Perhaps I can see you again in late July or August.
July 1, 1968 — Meg, this is it. (Postcard picture, right.) Hot and dusty. Obedience and discipline. It’s like being forced to go out for a varsity sport. Am I tired. Next week: swamp bivouac. We were briefed on the snakes yesterday. If you talk at mess, they take your food.
July 4, 1968 – Hi, Nate. I hope you are finding that the Army offers you a few benefits. I’m sure your good attitude and ambition have found them, if there are any.
July 13, 1968 – Dear Meg. Tonight I am answering the phone in Company Headquarters. Last Tuesday we crawled under machine gun fire in mud and water. Never been so dirty, cold and wet in my life. But I kind of liked it.
July 22, 1968 – Nate, you sound sincere in your comments about being in the service. I’ll be leaving California after the first week in August. Do you think you’ll be passing through Wilmette at all in August?
July 28, 1968 – I won’t be able to see you in August, since I’ll be with a friend in Florida, visiting him and his family. But you know I still think of you, don’t you? Perhaps I can see you in the fall after law school resumes and you are teaching again.
August 19, 1968 – I do look forward to seeing you again some time, Nate. I shouldn’t say that, though, because I don’t want to “lead you on.” So I say it with reservations. Please understand, ok? I do want to thank you for being patient with me. When I ramble on about (the other guy), you never tell me to stop. He and I are complicated and are getting deeper with each other. But that means there’s more pain, too. It’s like I’m grieving or something. But in all of this, I can’t help but think favorably of you.
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” (Proverbs 16:3)
