Edith Bolling Wilson to Woodrow Wilson

Edith Bolling Wilson to Woodrow Wilson

Wilson, Edith Bolling Galt, 1872-1961

WWP14881

1915 August 15

Edith Bolling Wilson Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, District of Columbia

English

Sunday,
Midnight,

My Precious One -

What a perfectly delicious surprise I had this morning when I came from Church! Can you guess what it was? Your letter!!!!! I mailed a very cross one to you as I went to church — I was blue, it was pouring rain – and I thought I could not possibly have a talk with you before tomorrow — and that seemed an awfully long time off — so I went to church in a blue fog- and nothing cheered me except the fact that all over the country devout people were praying for my beloved Lord at the same time I was and that made my heart warm and comforted -When we came out of the church behold! the sky had cleared and a brilliant sunshine had followed the rain – we took a short walk, and then came home about 1230 when, from his office, came Dr. DeLaney with your letter which came, he said, just after we went out. I was so glad to see it I could hardly receive it casually – but as two or three people had come home with us - I had to appear interested in them-and not in the letter – when, as a matter of fack, Sweetheart, I wanted to push them down the steps, and say go home you idiots and let me read the “President's Message”No such luck — on they sat until lunch was annunced - then they left - but it was too late[.] I could not read your dear words in a hurrey so again I waited – and not until three oclock could I get away and revel in all the tender, exquisite things you said to me-It is such a lovely letter Dearest, and has made the day so bright for me—and I am so proud and happy that you think me a loyal friend-and-even if you “did not love me, you would still utterly trust and cling to me- and value my clear-sighted counsel”—Could any Lover yield greater tribute to the lady he has honoured with his choice and into whose keeping he has given his heart?I love to read over and over those dear words of your letter, and shall never forget them– They shall be a constant inspiration to me—and should I ever fail to respond to such trust and admiration then I will be dead to anything and everything that is fine and stimulating – How you can touch the strings that vibrate through my whole being Sweetheart – and make me throb to express all the admiration and love for you that seems the vital part of my life.Can you realize it is only two weeks tonight since we had our last evening together at Harlakenden? It seems so many more than fourteen days-and I have missed you so-! You have been a perfect wonder though Woodrow in keeping up to our determination not to be blue or unhappy – I am awfully proud of you - and feel the last of this long month in which we have been seperated will pass comparatively quickly- and then I will come and, at least, wave you a glowing salutation should I meet you on that same spot on Conn. Ave - near Dupont Circle –That can't be any harm– and I can see for myself if you are well– and it will be something to be near you-Thank you for saying, and thinking all these sweet things of me when you were nearing that spot on Friday-and for telling me of them, as well as the Dr.I am going to read your dear letter one more time now and then go to sleepDo you feel my arms 'round your neck- and my lips on yours while I whisper—goodnight?Monday - 10-30. a.m.You dear, precious Sweetheart what a wonderful mail you had ready for me this morning- your letter satisfies all the longing in my heart—I mean all the longing that can be satisfied without your very self– and then the two big envelopes full of interesting things - besides this won marvelous box from Belgium - What a royal giver you are - a dozen pr. of such lovely stockings- When I saw them I made up my mind that I would wear them even if I had to take a tuck in the feet- But they are just the right seize and I am so pleased to have them – thank you my dearest One- and know that you have given me great pleasure. They are beautifully done up aren't they? The box and even the pathetic initial and decoration – It makes me sad- and yet proudly glad-that it is a tribute to you and what you mean to the world – Even a people across the sea whose hearts have been kept from breaking perhaps by the knowledge that there was still in the world such a man and that if anything can be done for them and other sufferers you can and will do it.I hope you can use the socks and the girls some of the other stockings—it is so like you to think of me and share them first with me-I will have to wait until tomorrows letter to tell you of reading the business papers-for it is already nearly Eleven and I am afraid to read them before writing for fear of interruption—and not sending my letter in time for the mail to reach you tomorrowSo this is just an answer to your dear letter– What would I not have given to have been with you on that drive Saturday and have come back and shared the hours in the study- to have put my arms 'round you when the band was playing the last national air-and made you feel how I comprehend your responsibility — your anxiety and tremendous duty-and how I want to share and lighten and help in every way— but also how completely I realize your fitness - your fineness - your unswerving, incomparable ability to quell - and steady the tides that are running stronger than ever before in the history of the world– I like in this instance to borrow your belief in regard to the ordering of the universe— the idea that when a man's usefulness is over Fate will let him drop out, and some one else take his place. If this is so - then my precious One is safe indeed from any danger- from any unhappiness, from any disease- for no one can take your place- and the world would be as blank as my life, without you.When I am away from you - I feel as a man full of life-and ready for action must feel who is shut fast in a prison–where he can neither use his own strength or help a great cause for which he would give his hearts blood— It is not that he chafes so over the life he is leading—but the fact that time is flying and he is missing the vital, the big thing that he might be doing in the world- You are my Source-and while I am far from you the waters get clouded–or thin–and I long to come to where they run strong and fresh and sparkling– ________________________________________________________________________________Of course I was interrupted here by callers- one of whom said an interesting thing- She is a Miss Webster and said she was in Wash- last winter but only for a week and saw so many lovely things and interesting people but had to leave with her fondest desire ungratified—that of “hearing the President speak”— She had met Mrs. T. P. O Connor—she of “I, myself” fame- and she had told her you were the only person in America who could speak– That she (Mrs. T. P.) had heard every noted speaker in England & America and you compared more than favourably with the former and excelled the latter so far as to be the only one— Then she asked if I had heard you-and if I had read any thing you had written!!!Now to answer your dear inquiry regarding myself— I did overlook your question purposely for I did not feel a bit well for ten days after I left you - Perhaps it was the change in climate-but I am inclined to think it something more subtle - I had head aches- and could not sleep - but for several days I have been quite well again, and will continue to now I am sure- I did not want to tell you until it was over, and this is honestly so-and you must not worry over it. I am so glad you think you can go to Cornish again the end of the month- You will probably be home again by the time I get there and even if you should find you could stay on into Sept. it would look well- and do you good- Bless your heart, don't give up a days vacation on my account.Remember I want you to go- and when you come back we can have some blessed hours together. Poor Dr. Grayson! My heart aches for him-and if things are still hanging in the balance I must confess a disappointment in her which goes deep- for I have always so trusted and believed in her womanliness. I will try to write him in a few days.

Goodbye my Darling - and thank you for being well and happy - and for loving

Letter

Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924