Gertrude Howard to Eleanor Roosevelt

190 March 6, 1943 My dear Miss Howard: In the absence of Mrs. Roosevelt and her personal secretary, I am writing to acknowledge your letter of March 3. It will be brought to Mrs. Roosevelt's attention at the first opportunity. Very sincerely yours, Administrative Officer Social Correspondence Miss Gertrude Howard 1718 Stratmore Avenue Crafton Heights Pittsburgh Pennsylvania ds MAR 4- 1943 and Personal Pittsburgh. Penna. 3/4/43 March 3rd, 1943 Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt White House Residence Washington, D. C. Dear Mrs. Roosevelt: They say what you dream comes true and I am writing you to confirm a certain dream, although this is a belated letter -- the reason being, I am trying to write a novel entitled: "Guide Thy Destiny" (the title will probably be the only enticing feature, as I doubt my writing ability), and I am including incidents and coincidents that have occurred. Here is the dream: A few years ago I had a dream wherein I saw you several times and always around lunch time...Now,the outcome: While in New York in the summer of 1940 (July, I believe), I was waiting to cross the street and a blue coupe stopped for the signal change, and I am quite certain the occupant and driver were you (although I have never seen you in person). Incidentally, it was around lunch time. Here is the license number of the car: 1799, District of Columbia. If it were you, may I say you have gorgeous hair and coloring. Many of my dreams have been realized. May I tell you of a remarkable one. It was so vivid that I remembered every little detail. I dreamt I was standing alone in a large field and there were several people in the background and as I - 1 - -2- was standing there the President passed me in his official car and I seemed to be very near to it -- this dream was in 1935. I went to the Philadelphia Convention in 1936, but I did not see your husband. However, in the Fall of 1936, the President was to speak at Forbes Field in this city, and being an ardent rooter, I went. I had a Press Card, but being only a small time reporter, I did not have the opportunity to sit with the esteemed United Press. When I saw Mr. Anthony Biddle with the President's party, I sent him a message with an usher and told him of my inability to get close enough (being a reporter I did not want to miss anything). As a result, I was invited to come back to the Platorm, but feeling I wasn't important enough I stood at the entrance of the platform and as in my dream, I was the only one standing there (with the exception of a few Guards) and when the President came down the Platform and alighted into his car, I was only a few feet away. The PEOPLE WERE IN THE BACKGROUND and I was practically standing alone in a large field just like the dream -- the only part that didn't come true was the President not speaking to me -- naturally-- BELIEVE ME, it was a thrilling moment, just as it was seeing you. So may people are sending Bibles to their beloved men away from hôme. I wrote this little poem and I put it in the frontispiece of a Bible I sent to a boy in the armed forces: "Read me a wee bit each night When you're far away from home And if o'er the world you'll roam GOD will truly show you the light." Would you like to include this poem in your -3- column for the public to use. I think it would be grand for you to encourage the reading and sending of the Bible, which so many people are now doing. If you do use the verse, do not include my name. God bless you and yours, and wishing you continued success, I remain Yours for Victory, Gertrude Howard Howard 1718 Stratmore Avenue Crafton Heights Pittsburgh, Penna. P.S. I have James and Elliott's autograph. I received your son' James' while at the Convention.