This feature photo depicts my grandfather Otto (left) and granduncle Hermann (right).
Mason City April 26, 1952
My dear Elis!
I received your letter with great joy, but since I came home first today I couldn’t answer you right away. But now it has come to the point where my brother Hermann and I must again search for work. So we are currently in Peoria 40 miles from home and Saturday through Sunday we are home with our family. Peoria is a city with 11,000 residents but I don’t like it here. We work from 8 to 4:30, and we can still work because they are so busy; but afterward Elisabeth know I’ll get bored because I don’t speak the language yet and am not able to communicate with people. So I think back to the past and especially the time in Bremen because we spent two nice nice hours, and yes in Salzburg where we got to know each other. I still see how shy you were when I spoke to you, and now the two of us have won much love. I have so much love for you Elisabeth and cannot be by you.
On Sunday, if is a beautiful day, then many will be out driving their cars. I think how nice it would be to have a car and to drive around with you. But I also believe that it won’t be too long before Hermann and I own one too. We are already sticking together, because every day we want to go home, so we must have one. That way more opportunities will open up to us. That would make it able to for us to come together, as we are not too far apart from each other. My thoughts are often with you.
Now Elis I am so sorry, but the recordings that I made in Bremen are not the entire Film went to me flutes (are broken). So please send me as soon as possible a Photo postcard so that I can put it in my room in Peoria — a photo if I can not have you with me right now. The dream Elis should not remain unfulfilled, a day will come when we are together forever, or you still not believe that I love you so much. I’m not angry with you if you write me every day, how can you just ask?
Accept these heartfelt greetings and kisses from your beloved Otti
Dear Elis! You can also write me at this address when you would like an earlier answer.
Don’t forget to send me a photo, at least one where you are currently at.
Think about me.
Otti
