The following story was mailed to me by a woman named Carole. The letter was written in pencil. Carole’s mother was young. Twenty-two years old. She was married and pregnant with her second child. The year was 1945. The War was freshly over. The Depression was still a recent memory. Carole’s mother wanted to buy her husband a gift for his birthday. He was turning 25.
Seaner, you had me at flugelhorn. I can never hear enough about our beloved Greatest Generation. Their sacrifices. Their honor. Their humility. Their sense of duty, country and family. And I 100% include their spouses and all those stateside during WWII. Please don’t ever stop sharing these gems. Thank you and remember your people love you today!
Oh, such wonderful reciprocity. It almost always happens when someone is generous and gracious, even when something as impressive and moving as this doesn’t happen. It may not come back in the form of a surprising gift. It may come only with a feeling that something has been made right with the world. And that is a wonderful gift that may last a lifetime.
My heart is so overwhelmed with much love from reading this beautiful letter and what a beautiful gift they got in return because this wonderful young woman gave not only hope to this man but love and happiness to go along with it and therefor she and her husband got the same gift back thank you so much for sharing these wonderful stories my dear friend 🙏
A great generation …..a great story…..a great heart filled with selfless love!! From a box of pencils to the last nub many uses and memories have flowed from a purchase bought with compassion. The story’s background, the pain and suffering of war, was felt by those involved and me, the reader. Of course far from the degree of the soldiers……but emotionally it hurt my heart. The spirit of these two returning soldiers is powerful, as is the wife of one. This is a pure blend of love at its highest level. And you know……the handwritten letter by pencil is a message in itself! The best birthday gift that lasted 79 years!
They were truly the greatest generation. They did what they could with what they had, showed empathy for others, and witnessed by their words and actions on a daily basis. They weren't perfect, but were the best they could be more often than not. We would do well to follow their lead.
What an awesome story-much needed at this time in our world. A simple act of kindness is repaid over and over again with a reminder of how one sacrificial act can change so much!
My father in law was in the second world war. I have read his letters that he wrote to his mom and dad. In a few letters he talks of a new general that was taking over and he hoped the war would end soon so he could come home. The generals name was Patton.
My father in law was also a "trader". If you needed something he could find it. His locker was never opened for inspection because even officers needed something on occasion. Knowing officers also enabled him to send money orders home so every month he would send a money order home to help his wife with expenses. When he got home his wife had kept all the money orders (he said she didn't know what they were) but it did help get things started when he got home.
Combat vets have always had a bond. One of the best/largest car shows every year, contacted Ft. Lee to invite the Army which showed up every year. The female, now in charge at Ft. Lee turned down the invite. Turns out the Army showed up with a better than normal display. I asked a friend who explained. One of the car club members call the Pentagon. The proceeds from the show is donated to the Fisher house which helps family members who visit vets at the VA hospital.
Seaner, you had me at flugelhorn. I can never hear enough about our beloved Greatest Generation. Their sacrifices. Their honor. Their humility. Their sense of duty, country and family. And I 100% include their spouses and all those stateside during WWII. Please don’t ever stop sharing these gems. Thank you and remember your people love you today!
Oh, such wonderful reciprocity. It almost always happens when someone is generous and gracious, even when something as impressive and moving as this doesn’t happen. It may not come back in the form of a surprising gift. It may come only with a feeling that something has been made right with the world. And that is a wonderful gift that may last a lifetime.
My heart is so overwhelmed with much love from reading this beautiful letter and what a beautiful gift they got in return because this wonderful young woman gave not only hope to this man but love and happiness to go along with it and therefor she and her husband got the same gift back thank you so much for sharing these wonderful stories my dear friend 🙏
What a beautiful story of neighbor helping neighbor on this Monday morning of Holy Week. Thanks Sean
A great generation …..a great story…..a great heart filled with selfless love!! From a box of pencils to the last nub many uses and memories have flowed from a purchase bought with compassion. The story’s background, the pain and suffering of war, was felt by those involved and me, the reader. Of course far from the degree of the soldiers……but emotionally it hurt my heart. The spirit of these two returning soldiers is powerful, as is the wife of one. This is a pure blend of love at its highest level. And you know……the handwritten letter by pencil is a message in itself! The best birthday gift that lasted 79 years!
Ohmagosh Sean! I love how you get your story to sneak up on me! Well done. 😭
They were truly the greatest generation. They did what they could with what they had, showed empathy for others, and witnessed by their words and actions on a daily basis. They weren't perfect, but were the best they could be more often than not. We would do well to follow their lead.
What an awesome story-much needed at this time in our world. A simple act of kindness is repaid over and over again with a reminder of how one sacrificial act can change so much!
Sean,
That’s a home run! Your connection with your readers puts good material in your lap but you bring it to life. Thanks to all who send stories to you.
Phil
More tears in my coffee. The good we do is returned to us tenfold when it is done without reservations and comes from a loving heart.
It’s nice to be reading along and realize there’s a smile on my face. It happened about the time the couple heard singing outside.
Thanks for sharing this story Sean D. That's the old generation's generosiry! Turned out awesome Birthday surprise 😮 . Luv it 💓.
My father in law was in the second world war. I have read his letters that he wrote to his mom and dad. In a few letters he talks of a new general that was taking over and he hoped the war would end soon so he could come home. The generals name was Patton.
My father in law was also a "trader". If you needed something he could find it. His locker was never opened for inspection because even officers needed something on occasion. Knowing officers also enabled him to send money orders home so every month he would send a money order home to help his wife with expenses. When he got home his wife had kept all the money orders (he said she didn't know what they were) but it did help get things started when he got home.
Combat vets have always had a bond. One of the best/largest car shows every year, contacted Ft. Lee to invite the Army which showed up every year. The female, now in charge at Ft. Lee turned down the invite. Turns out the Army showed up with a better than normal display. I asked a friend who explained. One of the car club members call the Pentagon. The proceeds from the show is donated to the Fisher house which helps family members who visit vets at the VA hospital.
Darn it, Sean! I can't take another salty cup of coffee! Xoxo
One of your most heart-warming. Thank you, Sean.