Rose Brewer writes to Elaine, wishing her well with the birth of her second child, Thomas.

Rose is still in Africa, but a different base, and is currently hospitalized with malaria.

She has seen Tom Cartmell’s photograph in the Greenville Advocate[[hometown newspaper]].

July 7, 1944

Dearest Elaine,

I’m so glad to hear about Thomas Mac. and I’ll bet Karen is tickled about him. The announcement was so clever. Did Daddy or Mother do them?

As you will probably notice I have a new A.P.O I’ve been here since March 13th and its a mighty beautiful spot in Africa. Lots of beautiful trees and flowers and rain – which was quite something different.

We have one big club and an annex (smaller) which is about the size of your house at home. There are 6 of us girls and I must say I couldn’t have found 5 nicer girls to work with. 

The boys coming in stay about 8 days so you see we really meet a lot of them. Lots from Illinois recently, but none I have known.

It so happens I’m writing from a hospital bed right now. I have malaria – came in 5 days ago so am feeling fairly well by now. I haven’t been out of bed yet but hope to be out soon. I’ve been watching some beautiful roses open today. They are yellow – The deepest deepest yellow I’ve ever seen. My room looks like a florist shop.

I have the roses calla lillies (there are lots of them here) huge multi colored snapdragons, dahlias, carnations, daisies, zinnias and pinks. My walls are a very blue sky blue and they look awfully pretty against it. It helps pass the time away to look at them.

I’m beginning to feel that I’ve been away long enough now. I hope things don’t last too much longer.

You asked about Gordon[[Gordon Pickering, Rose’s college sweetheart, who is in the Army. After the war they will marry.]] – at present he is in the States – in Oregon I believe. It sort of tickles me – my being over here and he at home now. Seems as though we have never been able to get together. At present he is trying to get back in good graces, but I’m afraid its a little late.

I wish I had a snapshot I could send you, but I don’t have any over here. I do have lots of them. The boys are great photographers.

I just had a thermometer plunked in my mouth. Guess I had better get ready for processing.

You are just about the perfect family in my estimation. A little girl and now a boy. I’ll bet Stanly(Sig) couldn’t be held down. Are you still in the same apartment? Yep – I looked on the envelope.

Write when you can. I hope I’ll see you before too long.

Love to all,
Rosie

I saw Tom’s picture in the Advocate. Wish he would make this field some day.