Love Letter 2 – Rehearsal

Love Letter 2 – Rehearsal

The butternut squash ravioli, slathered with tomato confit and topped with grated parmesan, slowly settles in my contented tummy. I pour a second glass of Pinot, dim the amber bulbs of the dining chandelier and play the best of Annie Lennox as I fall back into Mom’s loving content of Love Letter 2, September 3, 1960:

Page 2
Also last pm was the wedding rehearsal (sorry dear can’t spell this word). It turned out great.
Her minister was superb – his final words of preparation for the wedding – the meaning of the ceremony, and the prayer for Marion and Kirk were great.
I had tears in my eyes so many times and was so very envious of Marion only wishing it had been us.
Everything should be fine to-nite.
As a wedding gift of the bride we received pearl and gold bracelets, very cute.
Marion’s brother is real small and so different from Marion – not a dresser at all – wore a weird outfit at the rehearsal.
I got a set of 6 salad (individual) bowls for them to-day – they match their enormous brown wooden salad bowl which they truly love, so they should enjoy the bowls.
Real expensive things for just being salad bowls, but the four of us gave them to Marion and Kirk.
As yet haven’t heard from mom since I left, but should hear next week.
Hello to your mom and family.
Oh dear how I love you.
Miss your arms around me and especially your “love attacks” –
I love you, love you, love you.
Yours always honey,
Love Bette
xxxxx
Chopp – Chopp!
(over)
P.S. As a matter of fact dear I did tell the fellow sitting next to me on the plane that I was a tourist, but they had no room for me –
He was about 60 and a good chatter (talker) – gave me his cigs and candy – (Blum’s peppermint squares) –
I love you – honey!
Bette xxxxx

A ‘genie gems’ card with a faceless, shaggy-haired, saggy breasted, cigarette smoking cartooned dame houses Mom’s Love Letter 2 and the inside inscription reads: ‘From Your Raven Haired Beauty!’
And includes Mom’s own sentiments:

All my love dear
Yours always,
Bette xxxxxx
(P.S. – must have been taken after I washed my hair!)
Love You!!

I imagine Mom in a playful, yet ladylike dress, accessorized with her newly gifted pearl and gold bracelet, pearl necklace and pump shoes, standing alongside her friend’s brother’s more hippie inspired garb – during the rehearsal evening. I feel Mom’s whimsical excitement, for her soon-to-be married girlfriend, and the accompanying tears of joy slowly shift to wishful tears of desire for her and Dad’s ‘big day’ (and for endless days of those ‘love attacks’).