Edith Bolling Wilson to Woodrow Wilson

There are so many things I want to say first - that I can't decide where to begin - but as a preliminary I will ease my heart by saying that which is dearest in all the world - and it is — I love you - love you - love you - and am utterly lonely without you —Just this time last night the “history-readers” got sleepy and dispersed - and you and I were together and I felt your tenderness enfolding me — and we knew the world held only each other. Now you seem far away - but in reality I know you are here - and I can still feel the warmth of your dear arms and and rest in the protection of your love.

Oh! how hard it was to let you get in the car and drive off alone this afternoon - All the love in me cried out that you needed me — and I wanted to go - to stay with you - and say to the world how proud I am that that is my place -

But one look at Mr. Murphy recalled me to my humble self — and I smiled at you through an old wire door - (that carried out the idea of my cage where I cannot reach you) and tried to look conventional and disinterested -

I loved your taking off your hadt, and the last look showed me your dear head bared, as though you were on holy ground —and indeed this our your home, is, and always will be holy ground to me and I felt the thought that prompted your uncovering —

When you had gone Helen and I went out on the porch again - and tried to talk - At three your train went by - so we knew you were still waiting at Windsor - Then Gertrude Gordon called me on the phone - I had just talked to her when Frank got back - and Helen went to see about her house keeping and I sat in the hammock and thought - A tiny little hummingbird darted in and out of those same blue flowers that attracted him yesterday when you were in the hammock — and it made me sick to think that these self same flowers - and silly little bird were permitted to stay and you were gone!

Just as this was getting on my nerves Helen came and said let's take a ride —So we went at four thirty - through Plainfield and around until we passed the Shipman's about an hour afterward, where we got Altrude - and as Helen wanted to come home - we came right over here and then Altrude and I went down the River Road for a lovely little ride before I took her home -

I got back here a little before seven - and Mr. & Mrs. Parish arrived in a few minutes - They are charming people - and I am sure you would like them - - We had a lovely little dinner - and afterward sat in the morning room and talked -I would not go near the sofa - it was too full of memories - and my right foot behaved so badly that had they not said they must leave at nine thirty - I don't know but what I would have had to call mon Mr. Parish for help - The day was saved, however, by their going - and we all soon followed suit by coming upstairs -

I am writing tonight because Jessie and Frank want Helen and me to join them in a pic-nic tomorrow and they said lets start early - Helen is joining me on the porch tonight so I must stop so as not to keep her up late -

I may add a line in the morning — if I have time —

If not please Woodrow dearest, remember to take very tender care of your precious self - and remember always,

I love you - Edith

Monday - 9 30

You are just due in Washington, and I am welcoming you home, Sweetheart, before I have to run to join Helen - Don't work too hard - and try to take rides -It is raining a little here - but Frank thinks it will stop - so we are going.