Willie is Home from the War 10/30/2011
In the little town of Kewanee, Missouri, a train would pass through the edge of town everyday blowing it's whistle to let people know not to cross the railroad tracks. Helen would hear that sound each day while Willie was gone and long for the day he would be getting off that train. As the train went slowly by the tiny little building along the tracks, the conductor would throw off a bag of mail to the Kewanee post master. The only time that the train made a complete stop was when there was someone on the train that wanted off in Kewanee. It was early March 1946, and the day was cool as Larry and Sondra played in the front yard of the apartment. Helen had gotten a letter from Willie a couple of days ago where he shared he was on his way home. She told the kids their daddy was headed home and to help her listen for the train. As it turns out, they were so exhausted from playing, when she took them inside for their snack, they both fell asleep. Bless their hearts, they wanted so much to be with her to greet their daddy, but they just couldn't stay awake. She was hoping like everything that the train would stop today. She sat out on the stoop in front of the apartment drinking some iced tea and looking out across the yard in anticipation. She could hear the train whistle in the distance! Please let my Willie be on that train...please...please...please! The whistle was getting closer as she heard the chug of the train on the tracks...was it slowing down? Yes...yes it was slowing down ... then it came to a complete stop. The train stopping meant one thing...someone was getting off in Kewanee, Missouri. Helen left the kids asleep and went running across the school yard to see if Willie was the person that stepped off that train. As she ran, she saw someone running towards her, could it be? Yes...oh my gosh...yes...it was Willie! As he ran, he was dropping his back pack so he could run faster. He couldn't get to Helen fast enough. She was running and kicking off her shoes as she tore across that school yard. They hadn't seen each other in almost 3 years so this was almost like a dream. Tears were streaming down their faces as Willie pulled Helen in his arms lifting her off her feet and swinging her around in the air. She kept saying, "You're home...you're home!" And he simply said, "Yes, my darling, I'm home!" He finally set her down from going around in circles, then cupped her face in his hands and looked in her beautiful blue eyes and just smiled. Then he kissed her like a man who had been away from his wife for three years tenderly yet with passion. Eunice had heard the train stop and ran down to Helen and Willie's apartment to sit with the kids until mommy and daddy could get there from the train. She knew that when the day came that Willie would be on that train, Helen would have one thing on her mind...Willie! When they stepped into the apartment, he just kept looking around and smiling...home never looked so good as it did today. Eunice offered to take Larry and Sissy to her house so that Willie and Helen could get reacquainted. The babies were still half asleep as she carried them and put them on her couch. Helen and her sailor man had so much to catch up on, it couldn't all be covered today, so they just enjoyed their alone time as man and wife. 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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