THE WAR COMES HOME
(A Mother Speaks)
To me, the war is more real today than it was yesterday. I am more willing to sacrifice today, than I was yesterday. I had thought I could sympathize with mothers who had given sons to this cause, but yet, I couldn't until today!
For today, he went away.
That clear eyed son of mine. So sweet, so young, so unafraid, with a shy sweet smile shining in his eyes, that my love and understanding had put there through the years. I am not glad my son is a soldier, that wasn't what I raised him for at all, but I am proud that he is willing to fight rather than relinquish the things he hoIds dear to his heart. The rights of free men that he believes to be so essential to his happiness and well being, that a life deprived of them would not be worth living.
Yes, the war seems more real today. Many things that I thought very essential a few short months or even a few short weeks ago, seem of no importance now. If by doing without them I could hasten my son's home coming.
This may seem a selfish attitude to some, but if any of the millions of mothers were asked when they really became war conscious, they would answer, "The day my son went away." For our neighbor's sons, we are willing to sacrifice until it hurts, but for our, bone of our bone, flesh of our flesh, we are not only willing to sacrifice, but to give our all, if need be, that they might have the means of bringing this war to a quick victorious finish.
The double donation to the Red Cross or War Chest fund, the extra cash for another liberty bond, seems to materialize within themselves, as with clearer vision we now see so many places where we can whittle down expenses so, that we might have the cash to meet these great needs.
For war, like many another tragedy in this life, becomes a stark reality, when it camps on one's own doorstep.
DO YOU EVER THINK OF MOTHER?
Do you ever think of mother?
How she longs to see your face?
How she thinks of you each hour?
There's no one to take your place.
How she prays for you at twilight
When the evening shadows fall,
That our God will guide and keep you
Lest in some sin you may befall.
Sonny, don't forget my teachings,
Do right each and every day.
0h, come back as pure and clean, dear,
As the day you went away.