[Letter to Clara Breed from Hisako Watanabe, Poston, Arizona, August 11, 1944]

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[Letter to Clara Breed from Hisako Watanabe, Poston, Arizona, August 11, 1944]

Maker Watanabe, Hisako

Date1944

Mediumpaper, ink

DimensionsH: 10 in, W: 8 in (sheet); H: 3.5 in, W: 6.75 in (envelope)

ClassificationsArchives

Credit LineGift of Elizabeth Y. Yamada

Object number93.75.31JN

DescriptionTranscription:
August 11, 1944/Dear Miss Breed,/I hope you will forgive me for not writing to you long before this./I hope you are in the very best of health. It certainly is hard to get hired help now so I can imagine how busy you must be./Well, much has happened since I last heard from you. I have been working as secretary to the chief nurse here at the hospital since January 1944. It is very interesting work and I am always meeting new people./ Three weeks ago Miss Vickers, my employer gave me a two weeks' vacation and my brother and I went to Manzanar, California (which is just another relocation center. The weather in Manzanar is cooler in comparison with Poston. The first night back we almost roasted because of the intense heat. The water in Manzanar is like the kind we used to buy in San Diego and it is always ice cold no matter what time of day one turns the faucet on. While we were there we could still see snow on the mountain peaks./The canteens there are always crowded. They have much more in the way of food, reading material, refreshments, etc. One thing we were able to get there which we can't get in Poston was cocoa cola and 7 up./We certainly missed eating watermelon though. During our three weeks' stay we only received two tiny pieces of watermelon while on the other hand, here in Poston we are able to get all one can eat./ Manzanar is prettier than Poston because there is more green grass and lots of trees. On the whole, we thought it was very nice and something different. But even then, we think our own camp is much better./Dick, my brother, is much better. He hasn't been using crutches for quite some time. He is well except for a slight limp in his left leg. He goes all over the camp now. It sure is good to see him up and around again./Jack has certainly grown and I imagine if you were to see him you wouldn't recognize him. He is in the fifth grade now. He still does quite a bit of reading./While we were in San Diego I remember how my mother used to scold him because he read too much. We would have to take his book away or turn out the lights before he would stop./I have been planning to relocate but am unable to do so at the present time due to financial difficulties. I am still kind of doubtful as to where to go. I have decided on either one of these three places, Chicago, Cleveland, or New York. I will write and let you know more definitely after I make my plans. Maybe the next time I write to you, I may be on the outside./ I'm glad you liked the various ornaments mother made. I can't thank you enough for all you have done for us in the way of presents, etc. Words cannot express the feeling we had upon receiving your gifts./ I hope you will have a few spare minutes in which you can write to me. I will be only too happy to hear from you. Please write real soon as I'll be waiting./Sincerely,/Hisako Watanabe/P.S./ In looking over your last letter you mention something about a dictionary. I don't recall exactly what I asked for but I believe it was a shorthand dictionary I wanted. In any case, I would appreciate it very much if you could find one for me./Thank you again for everything and please take care of yourself.;1 letter and envelope from Hisako Watanabe to Clara Breed.