Hi Everyone,
Happy Memorial Day weekend! I hope you’re enjoying sunshine, food, friends, family, memories, and gratitude in honor of all who paid the ultimate price for our earthly freedom(s).
Have you ever wondered what it was like during times of war before the Internet — waiting patiently for word of whether or not a family member would return home?
In general, people were more patient during and around WWII. There was no:
Social media
Texting
Emailing
Snapping
Tweeting
Skyping
Face-timing
Etc…
There was no choice but to be patient.
WWII Wait & Ache story
In a small New England town that I’ve never heard of, my friend Anna lived with her mom, Ruthie, during WWII. Ruthie was a single parent at the time. Her only son, Henry, was drafted for combat. He fought until the war ended, in 1945. Henry sent letters home. A final letter came with news he’d be coming home.
While Henry was abroad, Ruthie slept each night with a small, framed photo of the two of them under her pillow. In the morning she’d move the frame to the kitchen. In the afternoon she slipped it in her purse. The photo of Ruthie standing in the snow, cupping Henry’s tiny, soft hands, neither of them smiling, outside of their home, was always with her.
Sometimes Ruthie would misplace the frame.
“Anna! Where’s Henry? Help…find Henry! Anna??”
Ruthie snapped daily over harmless things…crumbs on the table, shoes not tidily stored, drawers not closed, dust, tardy mail delivery.
There was no Internet to retreat to for answers, photos, knowledge, and hope! Ruthie and Anna found hope here:
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging ~ Psalm 46:1-3.
Henry never came home to the United States or to Ruthie.
Rest in Peace all veterans and God Bless all Ruthies.