Memories!!! (Chapter # 1)

Chapter # 1:

I read an article recently that was very interesting to me. It brought to memory many of the hardships we lived through during and after World War II. Life was not easy for a lot of reasons. EVERYONE was issued a book of ration stamps. We could not buy certain items without a stamp. We were allowed only 2 pairs of shoes each year. We had stamps for sugar, coffee and other food items. Because all the raw materials and metals were needed for supplies for the war, no automobiles were manufactured from 1942 until 1946. No appliances were available for purchase. Gasoline was rationed allowing each family only a few gallons a month. As the following article relates, lumber was also in limited supply or not available at all. There were many sacrifices but all was not bad. Families relied on each other and physical help was available when needed. I remember how many farmers would come together to help harvest crops when the land owner was unable to do the work alone since many of the older sons-----including my own dear husband as well as 2 of his brothers-----were serving in the armed forces. We leaned on each other and worked together where we were needed.

I think this true story is interesting for more than one reason. One of the reasons for me is that it happened in our very own little corner of the world. Another reason is to realize how blessed we are when we can do something for someone who needs help. This has been a desire of mine for my entire life. I seem to learn very slowly and perhaps do some things for all the wrong reasons, at least many of my efforts seem to "back-fire", however, I will not stop trying to help when I see a need.

And now the article: It is called "Luther's Lumber".

Luther had been home from the war for almost four months now and worked at the Carnation Milk Plant in Mt. Vernon where his wife, Jenny worked. This morning he was in the little Miller Cafe next door to the post office waiting for the mail to be "put up". Sitting across from him in the booth was his old friend, Fred Hill. They were discussing the war which was still going on in the Pacific theatre. Recruitment posters still lined the walls of the little cafe.

Fred had not been in the service because when the war started in 1941, his parents had been in very poor health, his father with a bad heart and his mother with cancer. He was needed at home to care for them and operate the farm. His parents had since died and the farm was now his---his and Maggies's.

When Luther, Fred's best friend since childhood, had flown over Miller in the B-17 and when the bodies of the Hobbs boys and Billie Martin had been shipped home, and when Perry came home with hooks where his hands should have been, Fred felt guilty. He felt he had not done his part for the war effort and in his own eyes, he was diminished. But today, it was Luther who seemed depressed. Fred asked him what was bothering him. "You seem down in the dumps today, Luther," he said. "I can't see what could be bothering you. You came through the war without a scratch, you got a beautiful wife and a baby on the way, you got a good job, what is the problem?"

To be continued---please tune in tomorrow!!!

Dortha