Whatever Happiness We Have Is Pure Gravy!

Saturday, Jan. 7, 1989

Dear Family: ...

What a wonderful start to a wonderful life: Thoughtful gifts from our near and dear: Since I know it's difficult to buy for the retired couple, I'll forgive the "flute", "the word game that will only lead to divorce" and "one Acrostic-puzzle book guaranteed to drive me up the wall". We thank you for slippers, bath-robes, blazers, Cross-word puzzles, casual jacket, books, magazines, all of which will enhance our lives.

It was fun to share this Christmas with Lynn, John and their two boys, Johnny and Mikey. They liked the freedom of the Annex and we could be with them when they wanted us or vice versa. The toys came in a million parts, with or without batteries...

It's been very nostalgic, taking down Frank's Christmas tree (a tall artificial one that has earned its rest). We've saved some ornaments that we'd like to keep; Lynn took some that had meaning for her and the rest will grace the Salvation Army. In fact, we are getting more organized about dismantling the Annex in order to sell it in the next six months. We have to make the guest room here into a den so that we can spread out the Navy, the records of many years, all the things Frank shouldn't have to part with. ...

This has been a great year for us, the courtship, the questions, the culmination of discovering each other's attributes, caring and sharing qualities.... and love. And, how very special that our kids like not only us, but each other. At this stage in our lives, whatever happiness we have, is "pure gravy"!

Hope everything is diving in '89.

Love,

Mom

All I can add is AMEN!

Frank

The Meyersons Talk as Much as the Walkers

August 2, 1989

Dear Vicki and Roger:

...

We're into a summer routine: Sleep til 7:30 or 8:00 a.m.; light breakfast of melon, english muffins. Frank unloads the dish washer; I go to Swimnastics and he lies in his bunk reading; have some chore in town or at the Annex (finally getting thru all the pictures and correspondence of forty years); have a bloody mary and sandwich for lunch; go to the library to process books from one week to two weeks shelf; come home and take a nap (reading in our bunk); go to the pool or talk about going to the gulf. (Neither of us is that crazy about salt water and sand and Frank has a skin irritation since May, under treatment); have cocktails at 5:30; dinner; some T.V. I might watch while Frank reads in his bunk; we play Upwords, the version of Scrabble Bruce gave us or do crossword puzzles and then go to read and fall asleep in our bunk around 10:30 or 11:00. Don't have the old impromptu cocktail parties we used to have. Paul and Kathy are impossible, the Griffins aren't well, T's gone and the Pages are away. Thank goodness for Gyros and the Navy League, folks around here getting old and lazy. We keep talking about travel but it really is pleasant here and we are so happy with each other's companionship. He is so thoughtful and caring.

...

Enclosed is a copy of my reunion picture. Frank's jacket is on the guy in the first row on the right. (Bob Kuerst who asked me to wear his pin. In fact there are at least five guys I dated who are in the group, only the good looking ones of course).

Stay well, stayed love.

And All Your Charms Be Mine

And so I must a-wooing go

For lovely BKB

Sly Cupid's bow

Has laid me low

In woosome ecstasy.

Oh, sweet Babette

I'll win you yet

And all your charms be mine

'Till that event

I'll be content

If you're my Valentine

Franky

Try to Keep Our Act Together

To Babette

July 23, 1990

Blessings on thee Babette dear

As we mark another year.

What's to say between we two

Beyond the simple "I love you"?

The love and happiness we've known

Is not for words, it's just our own.

Who else can really understand?

We hold it in each other's hand.

And side by side in joy or sorrow

Confidently face tomorrow.

Two years of bliss I've shared with thee

Let's get on with number three

And try to keep our act together

With one, at least, "above" the weather.

Happy Anniversary!

A Happy Occasion

Salute the Passing of One Year

To Babs

I love you more with every

day

And then what more is there

to say

Salute the passing of one

year

And pray it lasts forever

Dear

Frank

I Know That You'll Survive

August, 1991

Pre-Op love note:

To Frank

Three years are not enough

You cannot get away.

We two must have more years to share.

And do it day by day.

My love for you is strong

I know that you'll survive

To share with me

The years to be

And keep our love alive.

Forever Yours,

Babs

All for New Beginnings!

The World is Full of Happiness

To Babette

February 14, 1990

Have I loved thee in September

As I loved thee Dear in May?

Since I love thee so completely

It's impossible to say.

By the sting of Cupid's arrow

He has granted thee the power

To be dearer every minute

And more precious every hour.

So never change my darling

I earnestly implore.

Though the cup of love is brimming

There is always room for more.

The world is full of happiness

And all of it is mine

Because you're here and near and dear

And you're my Valentine.

We'll Both Be Gladder ~

Wednesday, Jan. 16, 1991

Sarasota Memorial Hospital

To my sweetheart

who's in bed

with extra valium

in his head.

Prostate reaming

has been done

(a back-door

circumci-sion)

Now put this fact

in your journal,

"Please less stops

at every urinal".

With my arteries

and your bladder,

I am sure

we'll both be gladder.

Love,

Babs

Birthday Wishes

To Babette

April 30 1988

Dear Friend, Dear Boon Companion

Dear Love beyond compare

Whom I pursue from dusk 'till dew

From damp to desert air,

From dusty books to cozy nooks

From runny nose to kleenex --

The only word I've ever heard

That really rhymes with Phoenix --

I hope your Birthday's happy

And everything is nice

But, if it's dumb there's more to come

You know we do it twice

Love

Frank

Wedding Day - July 23, 1988

Well-wishers

Letter 6 ~ And Cupid's High Above

To Babette ~ February 14, 1991

The ides of February near
And Cupid's high above
And I must make a poem dear
To tell you of my love
To find the words that can convey
The happiness we share
The love that's with us every day
And follows everywhere
The tenderness and caring
That fill each precious hour
The love for you unsparing
That's an all embracing power
But to describe my love for you?
There are not words so fine
So I'll just stick to you like glue
And be your Valentine

Engagement Announcement ~ June 24, 1988

Letter 5 ~ A Fast Growing Love

{To Frank from Babs}  
A Valentine message to someone  
I know. 
A fast growing love, but I'm   
taking it slow. 
If he will be patient, my years  
of "alone" 
Will soon become distant and   
we'll be on our own. 
"Aloneness"is new to him, I've  
gone the route. 
But, we are a "couple", there isn't   
a doubt. 
So, hang in there, sweetheart, you've  
been a good sport. 
I think our relationship's heading  
for port!

Letter 4 ~ All Happiness Be Thine

To Babs
November 19, 1987

Aloha, Boon Companion
All happiness be thine,
Bounteous and merry
Convivial, benign.
While out there in the *boondocks
Remember that you're mine

Frank

* boon.docks pl.n. slang... 2. Back country; hinterland. ... (Tagalog - bundok, mountain) - American Heritage Dictionary

Letter 3 ~ O'hara from Tara (from the back of the envelope)

Monday Dec 13

Dear Scarlett,

 Contrary to popular opinion 1:30 a.m. is not an "ungodly hour." It is an hour when we are closest to God, to our souls and to that little devil that shuns sunlight, our conscience. I, too, went to highschool when boys took no for an answer and married virgins--at least, in theory.

 The "real thing" was wonderful for many years, waned slowly like a harvest moon and faded out completely more years back than I like to remember. There is still hormonal stirring in my genes but it wouldn't affect the angle of my designer jeans, if I had designer jeans. I await a miraculous {illegible} with mixed feelings of wonder and apprehension. I wouldn't want to break anything at this stage of the game. 

 Martha and our other well-wishers are very kind but you are used to walk slowly. We have had a lot of "past" and very little "present" so far. We can go on as we are almost indefinitely. I will be patient. Even if we do "get there" it will take a lot of time and there will be a lot of loose ends to be tied before we could remarry with a clear conscience. 

 You are a caring, intelligent, interesting, sensitive, cheerful, lovable lady. I can't believe that I can be so lucky twice. I love you very much and I intend to do everything I can to make you happy.

 Passionately,

 Rhett 

First 2 Letters

{Babs to Frank}

3 to 4 AM Sun.

- Thinking of being responsible to and for another person full-time again scares me.

- I love the attention and companionship but I feel a little pressure. As if every day must be accounted for. 7 years is a long time without that. 

- I don't know any man I have more respect & fondness for. I can say I love you, but I'm not in love. (A thin line there).

- Your days and nights since Amy died have dragged for you. Mine have speeded up, because of you.

- I think my visit to Arizona will make me miss you a lot and that will tell me a lot. 

{Frank to Babs}

5:30 to 6:00 am Tuesday

- Thinking of being responsible to and for another person full time scares me also. It takes the kind of love that grows over many years and we're not near that stage. We have our own families and they will be our main support for a long while.
- I, too, love the companionship and I know I'm pursuing it too vigorously. It will be hard for me to ease up on the accelerator but I'll try to understand when you step on the brakes. 
- I was "in love" for 48 years. I'm still "in love" and nothing can ever change that. The relationship I'm pursuing is a new and different love which, as it develops will belong to us only. I can't describe it--who can describe love? Right now I think "Boon companionship" is wonderful.
- I'll miss you when you go to Arizona. I hope 2 get their blessing. You can miss me all you want.
Frank