The last time Hannah saw Gerald was the day he
rode the train out with hundreds, maybe thousands, of boys in uniform. Fight
the Great War…Be home by Christmas! Hannah blew kisses and waved as if her
arm needed to go with him.
All the other new brides gathered at the church
hall to roll bandages and pack toiletries.
Murmurs echoed across, up, and down from the vaulted ceiling.
“Why, my Joe said that Paris is grand, and some day
he will take me there! He writes to me
every day, you know.” Melissa wrapped
bandages, her eyes lost in dreams. Long
white strips draped over her rounded belly.
In the circle of young brides. Hannah was alone
with a flat belly. Letters from Gerald came every day, but were grim and
spotted with mud. His words she would
not share with the round-belly brides.
They needed their dreams, while Hannah needed truth.
Christmas came and left, church bells rung and
carols sung. Then another Christmas slipped by unnoticed.
Brides, now weathered lonely wives, still met
at the hall. While toddlers chased
around, mothers wrapped and wrapped rolls of white cotton. The young faces once wreathed with smiles now
reflected strain of another year gone by.
Letters grew fewer and all waited for the one letter they did not want
to receive.
Then the boys came home.
They were other men who left legs and arms
behind; some remained, buried in graves in France, near the ocean. Boys now men-- some shivered at every loud sound,
while others were stoic, with distant haunted eyes.
Gerald held Hannah gently. “It was awful, never seen anything like it.” Hannah settled her face into the fragrance of
Gerald’s wool uniform.
She whispered into the wool. “I knew you would come home, just knew
it. And, I will never let go of you.”
Ever.
World War 1 is the often-forgotten war. Its veterans are now gone. Honor them.
This moved me to tears, Susan. Yes, let's remember every one of the men and women who gave their all for our freedoms. May your Memorial Day be blessed.
ReplyDeleteThe idea of being a world war was unbelievable to the average person.
DeleteI don't forget. My grandfather's brother died in France during that war. I constantly wish for peace.
ReplyDeleteMy grandfather fought in that war, in the trenches in France. He saw some brutal things in a huge battle Saint Mihiel. Sadly this town area was brutalized in WW2 as well.
DeleteMy maternal grandfather fought in the Great War. As an Italian immigrant he enlisted as it was a way to become a citizen. My dad told me, my grandfather fought in some of the big battles.
ReplyDeleteGod bless him. He gave a lot to be part of our country.
DeleteWell done... and so appropriate.
ReplyDeleteDecided this would have more meaning from a different view.
DeleteHow I wish we had learned from that first World War - and all the subsequent ones.
ReplyDeleteIt was all a mess of decisions which would result in WW2.
DeleteVery terrible war. Well, all war is terrible. This one changed so many things.
ReplyDeleteIt truly did. War was more than standing in lines and shooting at the enemy also standing in lines. this war did change things.
DeleteConsidering that it was part one of a two part mini-series. Whose effects reverberate to this very day.
DeleteA moving story, Susan. Well done.
ReplyDeleteStories about people tell more than a photo can.
DeleteWWI has been a source of fascination for me for years. What a senseless (not that any of them aren't) waste of humanity all begun by hubris.
ReplyDeleteI think no one really expected what it would be.
Deleteso true. So much is not known about WW1, it was a messy war with no resolution.
ReplyDeleteIt was a horrible war, all of them are. Never forget, always be thankful for those who paid the ultimate price.
ReplyDeleteI think our last WW1 veteran passed earlier this year or maybe last year. War is a terrible thing.
ReplyDeleteMy grandfather lived the war until he died in 1965. When WW2 started, he said that he said this was the first time he was relieved that their son (who died at age 2) was not alive.
DeleteWhat a beautiful post. Yes, we forget WWI. I've been reading many books lately about that war and the women who silently helped in many ways overseas to get it over and done with. My Dad served in WWII and my when my brothers went to Vietnam it was a hard time for him as he knew what war was like. Thanks to all who served and helped us have the freedoms we take for granted today.
ReplyDeleteWe have been truly blessed to have lived in peace and safety. My father was in WW2 and gr=father in WW1. Looking back at Dad, I realize that PTSD was part of his life.
DeleteSuch an beautiful piece and prose dear Susan 👍
ReplyDeleteIt took me years back when everything like this happened and war changed the world for participants in their families forever 🥹
You described it with impressive mastery my friend 👌♥️
My country had not existed until 1947 and both wars were fought and ended before its birth.
But I still can understand the pain of people whom wars affected directly. Because our country was pulled into war after the independence twice and my parents would share the painful stories of those dark days
Thank you for sharing a painful part of your life. Pakistan, India, Kashmir--lots of conflict there. If you have contact with anyone who can tell you stories of that time, you might find more.
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