Nothing beats a letter from a kid. Especially if that kid shares your birthday, is a decade older than your dad, and grew up scaring you and your cousins with his knuckle sandwich (“See this finger? See this thumb? See this fist? Better run!”). I thought I’d share a couple of letters written by my “Uncle” Norman (technically my dad’s cousin) and his brother and sister. If you’ve been following the letters, these are Hi and Alice’s kiddos. Stormin’ Norman is an Ackert institution of a man. We love him.

By the way, Annette and Norman both mention Dodo in their letters. I wonder if that’s a what they called my grandma. Seems like it could be a nickname for DeLores…

Dear Joe,

I hope you like theNavy. I like school. Today we didn’t have anything to do. There is a girl that got hurt sledding down a hill. She is in the hospital and I guess that she is going to be back in the next 2 or 3 weeks.

Bernhard

Dear Uncle Joe,

How are you? I am fine. I like school. I like to work in school. I have fun in school. How do you like the Navy I am outside all the time. I have a pair of two runner skates. But I am going to get a pair of one runner skates. I hope you sent grandma and DoDo a letter every week or month. Oh boy I am having fun. My father and mother and us kids are feeling very good. But some of us have a cold.

Love,
Annette Ackert

Dear Uncle Joe,

I am glad you liked the letter I sent you. Mother and Daddy got Bernhard and I a new pair of skies Monday. Annette is going to get a new pair of skis too.

Almost every morning it’s about one above or 5 or 10 below ZERO. Wednesday Bernard and I got to school just in time. In the morning we have reading, arithmetic, grammar, spelling, then it’s time to eat lunch. In the afternoon we have music, social science, afternoon reading, then drawing and then it’s time to go home. Its now 7:15 so I guess it’s time to sign off.

Love,
Norman David Ackert

P.S. I called Dodo tonight and found out how she was. She said she was fine. Daddy and mother are very fine. And Bernhard and Annette are just fine. Well I guess it’s about time to close it’s just 20 minutes after 7 o clock. Love Norman D.A.