#152
To: David W.
From: Joanna
Photocopy of letter
October 14, 1979
Dear David -
I can’t tell you how wonderful it was listening to your enthusiastic voice Saturday afternoon. I had been in the process of writing to you for approximately a week and you are now reading what finally materialized. No masterpiece, I assure you. I write slowly! (Very!)
I was pretty sure I shouldn’t call you last week figuring that you would call me when you worked a few things out in your head. Also, I didn’t want to be “understanding” at the wrong time, if that makes any sense.
It was wonderful seeing you and holding you and being with you. We waited long enuf. Our week together was fun (most of the time!), but it was also a positive learning experience. We learned about each other and ourselves in return. On looking back, it was good sharing it with you. And if you learned something or anything about yourself or relationships, I’m glad I could be a part of that. Knowing that your happiness depends greatly on continued growth and learning, I’m happy that you learned some things while we were together. I care about you very much.
I understand where you’re at in your life and your dilemma in trying to integrate your professional, social, and emotional lives in a positive and comfortable way. I offer my love, and support you in your desire to accomplish the goals and ideals you have set for yourself at this time in your life, and I hope we will know each other and learn of, if it can’t be shared in, each other’s growth and accomplishments for a long time to come.
Speaking of accomplishments, Congratulations!! I’m very happy for you. You really sounded “up” and you surely had good reason. It sounds like fantastic things are happening and the project that you and Derek put together sounds like the beginning of some great things to come. I don’t think there is any question of whether you should do it or not. Go for it! I send my love and my prayers are with you as you begin this endeavor with Derek (should I say you’ll need it?!) Actually, I’ll be praying for both of you. However if you find that you are slowly (or quickly) going crazy or tearing your hair out, please call me before you go completely crazy or bald (whichever happens sooner) and I’ll come rescue you!! Hey, I’ll even take care of Ralph and his friends. After all, what are friends for? True friends or very dumb people take care of retarded ducks and sex-crazed geese!
Actually though, now that you have defined the terms of your relationship w/ Derek, and are facing another year together, you’ll probably soon enjoy each other, under those terms. (Well, maybe that is a bit optimistic at this point!)
I just took a permanent position with Rogers & Associates Public Relations. They’ve been asking me to work with them for a long time. The offer was a definite invitation to grow with them (which they are doing quickly but steadily). I will be the assistant to the president and depending upon my interest and desire will be given opportunity to take on more and greater responsibilities to eventually handle accounts of my own and become an account executive. It should be interesting at least for a while! I’ll let you know what happens with it. Keep you up to date, etc.
I am very much looking forward to seeing you at Christmas (very understated!) Judy will be in Toronto also, as planned. I’m glad. I would have missed her. I made reservations to arrive in Toronto on Air Canada #790, Tuesday Dec. 21 at 4:10pm, and to return to L.A. on Air Canada #743, Sunday, Jan. 6, leaving Toronto at 5:30pm. Depending on whether Judy stops in Cleveland first, she may fly with me to Toronto.
The stores are preparing for Christmas as so am I… the nights are getting colder and I wish you were her keeping me warm… however, the next 2 months should (I hope) go quickly and soon we’ll be together again.
I sure miss you, again… I know you are very busy, but please try to keep in touch…
Please take good care of yourself.
All my love,
Joanna
xx