Cards from Willie and Christmas Without Him 10/28/2011
As Helen walked down the dirt road, her mind would wander to how things were going to change in a few weeks. She would no longer be totally responsible for the children. She would have another adult in the house to talk to...not just any adult, but the most important one in her life. She was headed to the post office to see if there was any word from Willie. She stepped up to PO Box 15 and there inside was a card with a slobbering wolf dressed in a sailor suit looking at a shapely woman on the front. She chuckled knowing that in his own way Willie was letting her know he was anxious to see her. The card was postmarked San Diego, California and dated October 18, 1945. It read: "Dear Babe: In San Diego for a few days and will be home after we reach Bremerton. Keep the home fires burning and I will be seeing you really soon. I love you and I am very glad to be back in the good old U.S. All my love. Bill" Yes!!! So her sailor man would be home soon! She could finally believe it because she was reading it with her own eyes on a postcard from "Bill" (her Willie) She had a big ole smile on her face when she reached her moms and showed her the card she'd just picked up from the little post office at the Kewanee Mercantile Store. When Willie mailed that card, he thought for sure that he would be home for Christmas. Little did he know that was not going to be the case. The Navy gave him a promotion from Seaman 1st class to Yeoman 3rd class which would allow him to help with all the inactivations. So he wouldn't be coming home anytime soon. He would not be coming home until he had helped with all the paperwork for all the other servicemen. The West Virgina was in San Diego until October 30th and then headed back to Hawaii to take part in something called "Magic Carpet" operation (returning soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen home to the states.) Their first run was from San Diego to Pearl Harbor, they made another run coming back to San Fransisco, California. The next run was between Hawaii and San Pedro, California. Willie mailed another card to Helen in December saying, "Hi Honey. Have made a train connection good with a buddy. Have a big Christmas dinner etc. All my love. Bill Y3c" Helen couldn't hold back the tears...she was hoping above hope that they would be together as a family for Christmas. The Christmas decorations were up and the presents were wrapped. She let the kids open some presents, but had them save one present to open when daddy gets home. At this point, she wasn't sure when that would be...she just wanted to celebrate with Willie. She probably wouldn't get to see him until the spring of 1946. She knew he was disappointed as well...at least he was in the states and not out in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Comments Your comment will be posted after it is approved. Leave a Reply |  Author
Paula Tollison Andrews Maupin I am married to Bobby and live in the Nashville, TN area, working as Executive Assistant to both the Director of Sales and General Manager of FOX17, MyTV30 & CW58 television I have 3 wonderful sons and daughters in
love (Brad & Holly Andrews, Bryan & Stacy Andrews and Brandon
& Ashley Andrews) from Tulsa, St. Louis & Springfield
respectively. They have given me 9 precious grandbabies. (Joseph,
Cooper, Margo, Sloan, Jonas, Nora, Everett, Lawson and Blythe & Gma
loves them so much) I also have 2 great stepsons and daughter in love
(Jonathan & Kathryn Maupin and William Maupin) from Lexington,
Kentucky.
As a lady who's lived through both good & bad circumstances in my life, I've learned and continue to learn a lot of "life lessons". Along the way I have been inspired to be a better me. God is faithful in ALL circumstances and His love covers all. My hope is that you will be inspired to be who you were meant to be. I have been writing this blog about my mom and dad since September of 2011. You can find their story from the beginning by going to the Stories link. Happy Reading!!!   ArchivesMarch 2012 |
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