Love Letter 5 – San Fran

Love Letter 5 – San Fran

Extra treasures spill from Mom’s overstuffed air mailed envelope just as Tony Bennett’s ‘I Left My Heart in San Francisco’ spills from the living room speaker. I’m as indecisive as a toddler on Christmas morning – what to open first? It seems most fitting to first unfold the tender handwritten pages of Mom’s Love Letter 5:

Apt #102 2331 Blake St
Berkeley, California

Sept 9/60
Hi Honey!
Who said “distance makes the heart grow fonder” – don’t know how much more I could love you, but distance sure makes a lonely me!
The five of us (Joan, Ernie, Mary Kaye, Jean & I) went over to the city last nite to see “Flower Drum Song” and that city has so many memories I’d rather stay in Berkeley (sure doesn’t sound like me, eh honey, you knowing how much I loved San Fran – but that’s our city!).
The “Flower Drum Song” was fabulous – everyone was great and truly enjoyed the music and all, but the love scenes really got me – if it were our love scene then I’d never complain.
Poor Ernie – was so tired she slept thru’ parts of it if you can imagine.
The city was a bee of activity as usual. At the Geary Marlene Dietrich is appearing and has really been getting the crowds.
The weather has been surprisingly warm the past several days so the ‘higher-ups’ of S.F. were out in their finery – satin, diamonds and furs – that city – still has the only type of people that San Fran can have.
We had a drink before the show and Jean made a toast to you dear! “Let’s all drink to Bette’s Bryan, no doubt his thoughts are here” – so you see lover everyone misses you!
Just being in the theatre did get me a little excited tho’ – thinking that in 8 months (gosh that seems far away) we may be sitting in a theatre seeing another musical (New York) – who knows.
Even tho’ I did holler about this shift it has proved very advantageous (spelling atrocious).
Seem to have something to look forward to every evening, even if it is work, then am home by 7:15 am to enjoy breakfast, coffee, cigarette and read the chronicle.
Get at least 8 hours of sleep (strange) and make supper and chat w/ the kids.
Have much time to get things done.
For instance, to-day am cleaning cupboards, drawers and suitcases. I have just discarded old cards, letters, etc that have just accumulated – none of yours dear – I read them over frequently.
By the way, have you had any trouble deciphering my scrawl – but just remember dear the sole theme is that I think of you all the time and love you so very, very much!

Tony’s passionate lyrics and Mom’s undying feelings for the ‘City by the Bay’ sit heavy and inseparable in the room like the morning fog on a September day. Mom and Dad’s love is undeniably intertwined with the vibrancy of theatre evenings, with open-aired commutes upon ‘little cable cars climbing halfway to the stars’ and with lazy, romantic afternoons under the golden sun – it’s no wonder she left her heart in San Fran!