Letter 23 12/1/1952 Happy Birthday, Lost Notes, and Big Dreams

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Show Notes:
December 1st, 1952 — On Earl’s birthday, Joyce opens with “I love you very much” and a cheery wish, but the letter soon turns into a portrait of an exhausted young woman juggling school, work, and life’s uncertainties. The apartment is hungover and cranky from the weekend, she’s lost her composition notes and manuscript paper, and she faces redoing her final project from scratch.

Dr. Hulk gives the class an easy morning; the first day of Ed Soche reports goes smoothly; but Joyce must start off tomorrow’s session discussing democratic values. She recounts a missed opportunity at Wells (they want a boy for the stockroom), a fruitless visit to Piernau’s office, and information about DU’s accounting program and CPA credit that sparks thoughts about CU’s setup.

Joyce also looks ahead — a concert Friday night at 8, possible rides home for Christmas, the $45 she’s saved for the bank, and a transfer of $300 (her “crowning glory” of savings). She worries about scholarships, Winnie’s engagement turmoil, Connie’s illness, and mumps rumors. Despite it all, she sends two birthday cards to Earl and ends the night tearfully, confessing how much she longs to sleep next to him and how she didn’t think it possible to love someone so much.

Topics Include:

• Earl’s birthday wishes
• Lost composition notes and manuscript paper
• Easy morning with Dr. Hulk
• Starting Ed Soche report on democratic values
• Wells job disappointment (wanted a boy)
• DU accounting/CPA program credit info
• Friday night concert plans
• Saving $45 and transferring $300
• Scholarship worries and graduation doubts
• Winnie’s engagement trouble and vodka episode
• Connie’s mysterious illness and mumps rumors
• Daydreaming of visiting Earl and taking his picture to bed

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