Tag: love

Love Letters to Lois By Art

Love Letters to Lois by Art: Letter #28

Debra Worden

Introductions by Debra

This is a true, first-hand account of the innermost thoughts of Art to his beloved Lois, written while serving our country as a United States Marine during World War II. My name is Debra and I am sharing the gifts of Art’s Love Letters. Art was my grandfather and Lois was my grandmother. It was 1944 and they were 21 years old when the letters began.

An entire week has transpired since the last letter that Art wrote. It appears Art did get the weekend pass he’d hoped to get but was not banking on until it was in his pocket.

The Letter Transcript

Thursday, July 6, 1944

My Dearest Lois,

Came back from the base show with a terrible longing for you. Seen “Christmas Holiday”, wasn’t much good, dismal in parts, but it made me think of you so much. The boy being split up from his girl gave me such a low feeling. God, if only the two of us could only be together. Time can be so slow at times, especially when you’re up there and I’m here. The song in the picture was very pretty, drumming through my mind now. The name of it was “Always”. Songs can really express my feelings at times. You know what I mean, don’t you, Honey?


The play must be real good if you all have to give it a few more times. By the way, received another wonderful letter today. Doing good Lois, keeping my courage way up there. If it wasn’t for those letters, yours truly would be on the bottom.

Had quite an experience last night, Honey, and so help me never was so burnt up in my life. Still am and one boy, when I find what his name is, is going to suffer, very dirty trick and it had me trembling.

This is what happened. Had a telephone call at the barracks last night. Answered it and some guy asked if I had a girl in Washington. I said yes and he asked if I wanted to speak to her. My heart jumped then and yelled to put you on. Then after a pause, the fellow said you were here on the station. Well, then Honey you can imagine how I felt. Thought maybe you had come to me to be married. I then asked where you were. No answer for a moment, and then suddenly he says “your girl just left with an officer to go to a hotel together. Not exactly those words, Hon, but I knew then and there that it was a hoax. Cursed him out and slammed the receiver down. Simply was trembling all over! A minute later that “ma’am” I told you about called up. I refused to answer it so my buddy, a married fellow, answered for me. Man, did he ever bawl the hell out of her. He said he personally would beat the hell out of the boy that called. Really, made me feel good being a buddy like that. She was behind the trick but can’t find out the fellows name. My buddy is the real tall fellow in the picture. He is married and has two kids. He told me if somebody called him up and said something like that about his wife he would kill the guy. So help me, Darling, was so upset I couldn’t sleep for hours last night. What do you think about it? Pretty rotten, wasn’t it?

Well enough of that, onto better subjects. Don’t forget, send me your picture as soon as the film is done. My brother wants one of you also. Everybody seems so darn anxious to see you. They don’t know what they really are missing. The brother also sent his congratulations to us.

Darling, don’t be afraid of me going across. Give you my word it won’t be for a long time. Besides, Darling, I’ll know long before it does happen and so long as I don’t mention it, let’s not even think about it. Rather, let’s think about the two of us being married as we plan, huh? Honey, the next time I come up can we set a definite date? I want to so badly. And Honey, no matter what you write I won’t do anything bad, it will instead be something I want to do so terribly much. What I mean by the sentence is, you wrote and said that if you keep on writing me that way I would do something bad.

Honey, I’m glad that you and your friend get along so well. Think she is really a swell girl myself. She will make some fellow very happy as she will be a perfect wife. In fact, almost as good as my little girl is going to be and that is saying something.

Held class this morning for a change. Have to earn my keep sometimes I guess. Have to muster three times a day now because of the restrictions, eight, four and ten at night. Couldn’t go sailing this afternoon as there was no wind, caused it to be very warm.

Don’t forget the call Sunday. Was paid today as can be seen by the enclosed ten dollars. Thanks Honey, it was swell of you. Still owe that fifteen but maybe my Lois will let it go awhile longer. Still thinking that package will come.

No, Darling, I haven’t had the bracelet fixed yet. Must get in town first and that is not for a while. I love it the way it is though, Hon.

Still a lot more to tell you, Lois, but will fore go it till the morrow. Sing this last part sweetly Lois “You’ll never now how much I love you”. Bye for now, Hon. Sweet dreams.

I Love you Always,
Art

Questions, Conclusions and Commentary

Commentary:

I have two points of commentary on this letter. The first is the realization of the downstream effects of putting out information that is nothing but a hoax or a dirty trick. This act could have severely damaged this young, blossoming relationship. I think all fake news and hoaxes must stop!

The second is my appreciation for how wise this young, 21-year old man was to have the insights to know that “thoughts are things” and they should not even talk about or write about him going overseas into the thick of the war. My grandfather truly was a deep, introspective, intelligent man. I love that I get to know and understand these sides of him through these letters.

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Love Letters to Lois By Art

Love Letters to Lois by Art

Debra Worden

Launching Labor Day 2020

Readings by Debra (Art’s Granddaughter)

In May 1944, my grandfather, Arthur Bornemann, was stationed in Washington D.C. as a United States Marine. There he met my grandmother Lois who was serving her church and was “kind” and fed him. He took a liking to her for this and they exchanged addresses. Recently, I was given the gift of the 100+ Love Letters he wrote to my grandmother during his time serving our Country. Apparently, she had an immediate liking to him as well since she saved the very first letter he ever wrote. It begins with…

“Dear Lois,

Remember me?”

As a child, I had always wanted to know what it was like for him fighting in wars, but he was too tight-lipped to talk about it. When he passed in 2016, I thought he had taken his stories to the grave with him. I now have been given this wonderful opportunity to finally hear his stories through the letters and I feel called to share them with the World.

I think it is important to give readers and listeners a true, first-hand account of one United States Marine’s experiences serving our Country during World War II. I did not learn until after his death that he was one of only two Marines to survive a deadly battle of Guadalcanal campaign. The campaign was the turning point in the war and the first major victory for the Allies. There is no doubt he witnessed the full horrors of War. It should be a telling journey.

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"Q" Land Stories, Christian Inspiration, Life

The Crystal Light of “Q” Land

Debra Worden
February 6, 2022

Once upon a time not very long ago, I had what I call a “God Shot” experience, the best kind of vaccine for my soul! It happened on my drive up a hill on a road I think of as the Green Mile of Quincy, a city known affectionately as “The Q” and also annoyingly known as the “City of Lights” since there are so many of them! The Green Mile is located on Quarry Street, which used to be 2 lanes in each direction for a total of 4 lanes. It is now reduced to a single lane in each direction with a new bicycle lane painted and barriers installed to protect the bike lane. At night, the barriers light up with reflectors shining out over the road that seem to keep going and going when you’re driving along side it. Unlike all the other light systems in Quincy, these lights are NOT there for stopping. It’s just Go and Green!!! On this particular drive, it was daytime though and I didn’t expect to see any lights shining back at me, and yet a Light stopped me. A woman. A total stranger.

She was sitting in wait, reading a book on a wall at the entrance to Avalon, a high-rise living complex. There were white, pink and purple flowers all around her in view at her feet. I was instantly captivated. She was a beautiful Living accent to the scene, dressed elegantly in all black so as not to take away from the colors of the flowers and instead complimented it perfectly. It was more than just how she was dressed though. It was her. She had an inner Light and its beauty was emitting from her Being with abundance, calling on me to capture it!

My heart was sparked with energy by what my eyes witnessed before me. As I drove past her the feeling of expansion in my heart fell to sadness and regret. The inner voice inside me said “Don’t neglect this moment! Go back and capture it! Listen to your Heart!”

I could not ignore the call. I turned the car around and drove back to her. I felt a bit of hesitation as I rolled the car to a stop and approached her. Another voice creeped in, the voice of doubt saying, “What if she doesn’t want her picture taken, you’re a total stranger!” Rather than drive away, I simply did the next right thing that came to mind. I rolled down my window, held up my camera and asked permission to take her picture.

She looked at me in astonishment and said “You want to take MY picture?”, as if she wasn’t worthy enough to capture and yet she SO was! Before I got the chance to even respond, she answered excitedly “Sure! You can take my picture! I will pose like I’m a model in New York!” Her Confusion was instantly replaced with a bit of Confidence!!!

I proceeded to get out of the car and cross the street. I only asked for one picture to keep of her beauty against the landscape. I had not intended for this to be a full-on photo shoot but she was having fun and starting posing away like the New York model she wanted to be in that moment! So I went with it and started to snap away like I was the professional photography I am not but sometimes dream to be.

She began to really enjoy herself and became more playful and creative with every pose. As she moved her body and as I moved around her trying to capture all angles, I could feel an energy building between us. She was chatting away as she moved telling me “I can do this and this!!” I echoed her energy back encouraging her with words like, “Yes, You go girl!, Yes, Yes, Yes!!! That’s Awesome! Keep going! You’re beautiful!” The energy between us was grand!!! I was intensely and awesomely Alive!!!

At the height of what seemed a Divine climax of energy, I said “What is your name?” She yelled proudly “Crystal! My name is Crystal with a C!” and points to her belt with a big C on it. I thought how perfect! Crystal! She was a Crystal Ball in my heart in this Moment.

Today, I look back on that day and the pictures of Crystal (below) and feel ALL the same energy in my heart for the Light that she is… a precious child of God willing to Live INTO the NOW moment with me. How divine it is when two sparks of Source energy, are open to allowing the Creator to create, witness and express the sweetness of his loving exchange through them. I know God would LOVE more of such moments. I would wager to bet that violence and all things ugly would fall away naturally if we listen and act in ALL the moments our heart gets captured by someone or something special to say or do.

It all starts by listening to YOU, the voice that matters most, the one within that speaks to you in silence when you’re open to seeing what can be seen in the Present moment. In that space, the “first” thought is usually the best One! The Gift!!!

The gratitude and love in my heart for Crystal is surely a gift of the most precious kind. FREE and Free-Spirited!!! I live with zero regret for honoring my heart-strings and daring to ask a simple question… “May I take your picture?” I can now look back on her pictures on ANY day to connect with the special Light who is Crystal of “Q” Land.

Here are pictures I captured of Crystal, my sister in the Spirit of God. May God’s blessings and goodness follow her all the days of her Life!!! Surely it will due to her willingness to Let Go and Let Loose the child within to play and pose for me… a Total Stranger.

Joined at the Heart ~ David Hasselhoff

A light through the wall
A pure crystal ball
A mystical call between us
Like spirits at the source
Within a silent driving force
Love that reaches everywhere
The energy from you is always there inside me too
Bound by inner visions that we share
I cut my finger and you feel all the pain
You cry and I can hear your prayer
Reading each other so close or apart
Two lovers (of God) joined at the heart
Two lovers (of God) joined at the heart
A light through the wall
A pure crystal ball
A mystical call between us
Like ships upon the tide
We ride the waves and don’t collide
I am you and you are me
Asleep and on my own
I never feel that I’m alone
You’re the dream illusion that I see
Holding each other at the altar of love
Worshipping souls on bended knee
Reading each other so close or apart
Two lovers (of God) joined at the heart
You know what I’m saying when I don’t make a sound
I hear your thoughts and set them free
Reading each other so close or apart
Two lovers (of God) joined at the heart
Two lovers (of God) joined at the heart
A light through the wall
A pure crystal ball
A mystical call between us
A light through the wall
A pure crystal ball
A mystical call between us
A light through the wall
A pure crystal ball
A mystical call between us
A light through the wall
A pure crystal ball
A mystical call between us
A light through the wall
A pure crystal ball
A mystical call between us
A light through the wall
A pure crystal ball
A mystical call between us

Love Letters to Lois By Art

Love Letters to Lois by Art: Letter #27

Debra Worden

Introductions by Debra

This is a true, first-hand account of the innermost thoughts of Art to his beloved Lois, written while serving our country as a United States Marine during World War II. My name is Debra and I am sharing the gifts of Art’s Love Letters. Art was my grandfather and Lois was my grandmother. It was 1944 and they were 21 years old when the letters began.

An entire week has transpired since the last letter that Art wrote. It appears Art did get the weekend pass he’d hoped to get but was not banking on until it was in his pocket.

The Letter Transcript

Wednesday, July 5, 1944

My Dearest Lois,

Received the first letter today and was it ever a lovely letter. Keep it up, Honey, you sure did a beautiful job on that one.

Makes me feel so wonderful to read you think I am okay. Really, Honey, I’m not good enough for you but if you feel that way about me it simply is lovely beyond words. All I’ll ever want to do, Lois, is make you happy and I know it will be that way always.

Sorry to hear about the talk you and Alice had but then I suppose she has her own way of looking at things. Personally, your perfectly correct in telling her she was afraid of married life. In fact, I think Alice thinks a little too much of herself and not of others. I think she is a swell girl but just has the wrong slant on things.

I can imagine how sleepy you were, Lois, and you had better get some very soon or I am going to worry about you. You must be glad to have that play out of the way now. The play plus me is some strain.

Honey, today I ran into some trouble. Thought that I was all over worrying about coming in late from Washington but this morning it broke. Somebody, and I know who it was, let it slip to the Gunner I was late coming back on the pass. Was called up for office hours and had quite a bawling out, also received two weeks restriction to the base. Not worried about that as I never go in town anyways but was plenty sore at the way it was done. Going to have it out with my “buddy” when I run into him. The Gunner is a real straight guy and I have no picks coming from him. Simply should not have happened if some big mouth had kept quiet. Did have enough money, Honey, just enough should I say. No worries about that as our checks will be here tomorrow.

Yes, Lois, hereafter I’ll have to get back on time. Easy to say here, but when I’m with you it is so terribly hard. If my Honey had not driven me out things would really have been bad. Darling, I so want to be with you all the time. If only we could be married so very soon. Guess I’ll have to hold off until you get your things together and I save a bit more money. Being at Cherry Point won’t be too bad and if I stay there any length of time you could live there, that is after we are married.

You said that right, Lois, parts of your letter did set me on fire. Lot of good it does me with you so far away. And then we have so long to wait. Good thing you have more self-control than I have. Well, anyway it is really something to look forward to, isn’t it?

I too hope the period isn’t around the next time. You still were your own sweet self, Honey, but it does keep us from doing some things. Not that I minded while up there as would never have known you were in the pink if you had not told me. Keeping track though aren’t you?

I’ll figure out that trip to Stanton on a map Lois, and let you know. It should be easier to go directly there so will find out about it.

Before I close out, do as those girls in the office said, stop thinking about me and eat something. Awfully sweet of you to say that Honey, but I do want you to eat so you’ll have your health.

Enough for today, Lois, will write again tomorrow. Oh yes, went sailing today, wishing you were along. Closed my eyes and thought about being in the canoe with you. Bye Honey.

With Love Always Yours,
Art

PS: All the boys thought the bracelet was swell! So do I.

Questions, Conclusions and Commentary

Commentary: I find it interesting that Art feels “wonderful” to know that Lois thinks he is “okay”. Okay is sufficient and good enough to him even though he feels not good enough… Humanity’s “core wound”. I need to remember the next time I feel “not good enough” or feel I’m not doing enough, or spectacular enough that “okay” is okay and perfectly wonderful and to find gratitude in that just like Art did.

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"Q" Land Stories, Meditations, The Little Children

Magical Meditations in “Q” Land: The Little Children and the Special Objects

Debra Worden
March 5, 2022

God brought me on a meditation many years ago. He does that sometimes. I closed my eyes and I saw myself. I watched myself from above. I was not myself as I am today. I was a little girl, innocent and pure. I was walking in a secluded field surrounded by tall pine trees filled with the beauty of nature. Even though the sun was shining intensely, the sky was still a bright blue. The colors of everything around me were so vibrant. The harshness of the bright sun washed away nothing. I was so happy.

I met up with other children in the field.  We all seemed about the same age.  They approached me from different directions.  A honey haired girl came from the left.  Then a blond haired boy approached from the right.  Two other children came walking together from the center of the field, a honey haired boy and a dark haired girl.  Like the field, none of us were tainted by the harshness of suffering in this world, not yet anyway.  We were open, free and uninhibited.  We were all so happy.

We joined hands in the middle of the field and began skipping around in circles like we were playing “Ring Around the Rosie”, but nobody was falling down, falling in, or falling out of the circle.  We were solidly joined and content to be playing, laughing and smiling up at the sky and at each other.  We all glowed with joy, just like the sun in the sky.

I saw birds of different colors flying overhead above us, like rainbows flying across the sky.  I saw animals in the field all around us, going about their business, happy and content just like us.  Even the blades of grass and the trees surrounding us were swaying in the breeze, seemingly dancing and filled with joy.  It was like heaven on earth for every living being in the field.

Then I and the other children stopped skipping in circles.   All at once, we ran to the center of the circle and lifted our arms to the sky.  A flock of white doves flew up and out of the center of our raised hands like magic.  They flew all around us and weaved their flight in and out of the spaces between us, like angels in flight.  Heaven had joined us.

Then we broke from the circle.  No words were expressed, but each of us started walking in different directions, filled with a sense of joy and curiosity.  Each of us was on a search for something in the field.  I instinctively knew when I found what I was supposed to be looking for.  It was a pure, white feather.  None of its hairs were stuck together.  It was perfection.  I was so happy I had found it, and yet it felt like I had been drawn to it like a magnet, sitting in plain sight at the border of the field, waiting just for me. I walked back to the center of the field to see what the others had found.  

The blond boy who had been on my right was already standing in the center of the field.  He looked so proud to have been there first.   He had something cupped in his hands but I could not see what it was.  He was waiting for the others to return to the circle.  I looked into his eyes and they shined with glee and excitement for what he’d found and held protectively in his hands.  

The honey haired girl then joined us.  She had a leaf in her hand, but it was no ordinary leaf.  It was a magnificent maroon colored leaf, laced with bright orange and flecked with gems that shined light like stars, even in the broad daylight.  She was overjoyed with her magical leaf that seemed to reflect what was inside of her waiting to shine to the world.  I felt a sting of jealousy that her object was so magical compared to my plain white feather, but I quickly pushed the feeling aside and expressed a genuine congratulatory loving smile her way.

Then the honey haired boy came slowly sauntering to the circle. He was holding a simple, gray rock.  I pondered to myself why he would have such a boring object, but he seemed quite content with his rock.  Then a realization came upon me that the rock seemed a lot like him, solid and steady, unmoved just like a rock.  Still, I felt a stirring of pain as if he should have something more significant.  Nonetheless, I was happy for him that he was content with who he was.   

I then looked at the blond haired boy.  He seemed like he could not contain his object anymore, but the dark haired girl had not yet come back to the circle.  I looked up across the field and couldn’t see her anywhere.  When the two honey haired children weren’t looking, the boy let me peek into his hand.  My breath escaped me by what I saw.  It was a beautiful baby bird, stark royal blue with white angelic feathers.  I looked at him with great joy for what I saw inside his hands.  He looked so proud and happy and I was so happy for him.  I wasn’t sure if he let me see it because he wanted to let me in on his secret, or if it was an attempt to give the bird a moment of space to see out, as if trying to keep it comfortable and content for a little bit longer.  

Then I glanced up across the field.  The dark haired girl was coming towards us cradling something in her arms.  It was a fluffy white-haired bunny with black splotches.  It looked so content in her arms and she seemed so happy to be lovingly caressing that bunny.  I sensed the girl and her beloved bunny had quite a lot in common in their journey of life, so soft and vulnerable, a nervous twitching, and an instinctive nature to hop from here to there in self-preservation.  Yet here, in this moment, the two of them displayed perfect peace and ease being together, filled with love for each other.  Again, I felt a pang of jealousy inside of me.  Both the blond boy and the dark haired girl had found living objects and mine was just a left behind fragment of something living.  Yet I was sincerely happy for her as well.  

Now that we were all joined again, we turned our attention to the blond haired boy. He was struggling trying to contain the item in his hand.  I looked into his eyes expecting to see the excitement I’d seen earlier but it was replaced with fear.  He did not want to open his hands.   I knew in an instant what he was feeling.  It had dawned on him that the moment he opened his hands, the baby bird would fly away and he would be left with nothing in his hands.  I sensed it was so important to him to have that little bird, to have a precious object of his own.  It pained me to watch his internal struggle.

The others began to get anxious.  They started to encroach and crowd in around him, excitedly trying to coach him to open his hands.  It made him more nervous and sweat began to break out on his brow.  I saw anger come across his eyes.  My breath became trapped as I watched him tighten his grip on the little baby bird.  I could tell he felt a momentary instinct to kill that baby bird rather than let the others smother it by their seemingly demanding demeanors in his state of fright.  I glanced in his eyes that were now welling up in tears.  I saw deep pain calling out to me wondering what he should do.  Everything in him did not want to hurt that baby bird, it was so priceless to him.  I gave him a reassuring look of love and understanding, and I prayed to the universe for him to do the right thing. 

In a sudden moment, he opened his hands and the beautiful little bird flew from his hands circling all around his head and then landed on his chest.  The boy was so happy and relieved that tears of joy fell down his face.  It wasn’t just tears that were falling from him.  All his fears fell away as he watched the bird flying freely and safe from the others, even from himself.  The fear that he would be left empty handed was no longer.  The bird had become his friend, content to be with him.

Then we all sat down on the ground and put our objects in front of us in the circle. Everyone looked so happy with their items and to admire the others. Genuine joy was felt by all for each other, except for me. I still felt a pang in my heart for the honey haired boy with his simple rock. I sensed the others were hiding within them a feeling that their objects were better than his. 

Then the boy picked up his rock and calmly and playfully tossed it back and forth between his hands as if it was a ball. He glanced at each of us as if waiting for attention reservedly, yet not wanting to be the center of attention. When he knew we were all looking, he opened the rock and showed us all the intricacies inside. There were crystal gems glistening bright light. Then he closed the rock into his hands and it became just a rock again. Then he opened it again and this time there were layers upon layers of colors like sediments in the soil. Once again, he cupped the rock in his hands hiding it from view and when he opened it the last time, there were puzzles upon puzzles hidden within the rock and only he had the answers on how to put it back together. The boy knew all along what was hidden in that rock. Yet he sat there humbly holding it content to have a simple rock. He was no fool.

Then I looked at my plain white feather again and I felt left out.  The honey haired girl and boys had their magical items.  The dark haired girl and blond boy had their living animals and I just had a plain, white lifeless feather.  It looked so insignificant now and it had seemed so special when I found it.  Deep within me I felt a searing ache of pain, but I kept it well hidden.  Something inside me said not to show it, to just be happy for the others and I truly was.  

Then God spoke to me from the sky and from within myself.  No one seemed to hear him but me.  He said to me “My child, the feather IS your object and couldn’t be more you.  It’s the feather of a white dove and doves represent peace in my world.  That is what you bring, this is Who You Are, and this is who you have always wanted to BE.  Each little hair of that feather is precious and fragile just as you are to me.  So take good care of that feather and treasure it as I treasure you.”

I wept because God knew me so well, yet I did not. I did not recognize the value of my object, nor the value of me, but God had revealed it all. It now meant the world to me that he chose that white feather for me and I wept even harder in gratitude for a God that is so knowing and good.

Days later in real life I would find myself walking through the field at the Snug Harbor school behind my home. Sitting on the edge of the field in plain sight was a white feather… just like the meditation… waiting for Me.

The White Feather from the field at Snug Harbor School, Quincy, Massachusetts (The “Q”)
Found 3 Days Following the Meditation
It was Magical!!!
Life

Writing My Way Home

Debra Worden
November 7, 2021

Today I Write Because…

I love God, sunsets, and the night sky. I desire the expression one feels when viewing such things to be spilled out onto paper… flowing like a river of tears… taking the reader deeper and deeper inside of themselves… to the place that hurts… the place no one touches… the place we don’t allow others… or even perhaps ourselves to touch… the place of a small space kept hidden… but feels safe enough to be felt when conveyed through the words, images and sounds of the creative artists God has gifted us with… over and over again… throughout Time and Space.

I really just want the whole world to have a good cry and get better again. It begins with me… writing this… feeling… crying… tears streaming with every word of expression… touching the space within me. This is what the space said to me…

I felt you.
It’s okay.
I’ve got you.
I’m sorry.
I love you.
I thank you.
I forgive you.
I love you.
I love you.
I love you.

Love Letters to Lois By Art

Love Letters to Lois by Art: Letter #26

Debra Worden

Introductions by Debra

This is a true, first-hand account of the innermost thoughts of Art to his beloved Lois, written while serving our country as a United States Marine during World War II. My name is Debra and I am sharing the gifts of Art’s Love Letters. Art was my grandfather and Lois was my grandmother. It was 1944 and they were 21 years old when the letters began.

An entire week has transpired since the last letter that Art wrote. It appears Art did get the weekend pass he’d hoped to get but was not banking on until it was in his pocket. He speaks of his time wt

The Letter Transcript

Tuesday, July 4, 1944

My Dearest One,

Just finished my washing and what a wash day it was. Not hard labor though as we now have a washing machine in our barracks. Quite easy that way, isn’t it?

Went to the dentist this morning and my wisdom tooth is going to be yanked. It is coming through the wrong way, butted up against another one. The gums are swollen and there is a slight infection. Bothered me a bit up in Washington. Next week sometime the pulling will take place. Some job so they tell me.

Feel real good today though after a swell sleep, simply died for the night. Got up early, for me, about six and was racing to go.

Oh yes, also went to the barbers this morning. Needed one pretty bad up in Washington didn’t you notice. You probably wouldn’t have said anything if you did, trying to be so darn nice to me.

Wrote home a little while ago and told Sis about the weekend. Told her almost everything we did and how I hated to come back. If my little Lois had said the word, yours truly would still be up there. Naturally I left out our little talks, etc. that will always remain between the two of us, right?

You know, Honey, it might be a good idea if you read up on that subject some more at the library. That is where I am headed after writing this letter. I’m surprised at the things I didn’t know after talking for a while. There is quite a lot to it and to insure a perfect marriage it is wise to find it all out. It isn’t like most fellows think, like I told you. There is much more than two people getting together. That is what causes more trouble than anything in marriages, ignorance of certain things. Like the fellows in the barracks, all of them believe they are in the know but it is surprising how many of them couldn’t answer many questions on sex. Most of them anyway have only one thought in mind and that is their own pleasure.

Our marriage isn’t going to be that way as we both have started it on the right way. We both will have a darn good knowledge of what it is all about. And that is the way it should be, sex must be treated as an open subject.

Naturally a couple of times I did get a bit passionate, Honey, but it simply couldn’t be helped. I don’t want you thinking bad of me because, Darling, it is bound to happen. After all, Hun, I am a man. Love, you know, is more than just what I am writing about and Lois I truly love you so much. To have and to hold you always is always on my mind. Love is the sweetest thing – never thought I could be sentimental but you, you little angel did it to me.

Every time I come back from Washington the first thing the fellows all ask is “Did you get married?” They all know you from my talking about you. I told them the next time yours truly has a leave we will be married, that is up from a five or ten day leave. But that is not for a while yet, darn it!

How is everything with you, Honey? Hope by the time this letter gets there you have had a few nights rest. And how is work, having any trouble with that new boss of yours?

Time to say goodbye, Hun. Let’s see, maybe there might be a letter tomorrow. Hope there is or I’m going to be disappointed. Say hello to the girls for me. Will write again tomorrow. Bye.

With All My Love,
Art

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Love Letters to Lois By Art

Love Letters to Lois by Art: Letter #25

Debra Worden

Introductions by Debra

This is a true, first-hand account of the innermost thoughts of Art to his beloved Lois, written while serving our country as a United States Marine during World War II. My name is Debra and I am sharing the gifts of Art’s Love Letters. Art was my grandfather and Lois was my grandmother. It was 1944 and they were 21 years old when the letters began.

The Letter Transcript

Tuesday, June 27, 1944

My Darling,

Well, it looks right now that I’ll be in Washington this weekend. Never a sure thing though, until the pass is in my pocket. It will be Thursday when I get the pass and I’ll call up the minute it is in my possession.

No letter from you today, Honey, and it looks like your skipping up on me a bit. I’ll forgive you, Lois, as that routine your going through doesn’t give you much time for anything. Even one of your letters was written at midnight. Hope Darling, your not too tired when I get up there. Frankly, I couldn’t take that late night and still be on my feet. That is one thing that beats me, is how a girl that doesn’t eat much can still have so much energy. And lots of women are like that too. Maybe you can tell me how you do it.

The picture I like best, Lois, is 148K. What do you think? I sent the Family picture home and also one of you. The rest I cut down and they now reside in my wallet. Now no matter where I am, can simply flick my wallet open and there you are, the sweetest little girl in all the world.

Lois, does writing letters come easy on some days than on others? Sometimes I can really rattle a letter off and on other days I can’t find a thing to put down on paper. Especially when every day here is about the same. Go to school every morning either instruct or sit them through. Afternoons go swimming or rowing. Have to keep in condition some how.

Your probably wondering how much longer I’m going to be here. Well here is some half way straight dope. Our commitment will be up here July 15th. After that, Honey, I don’t know. We are supposed to go to Cherry Point but that isn’t too bad, as I’ll be able to come up there from the Point.

Darling will cut it short now. Hope a letter from you is in tomorrow. Be terribly disappointed if there isn’t. I love you always, Lois. Bye.

With Love Ever Yours,
Art

Questions, Conclusions and Commentary

Commentary: I have to really admire these two. Letters are the only thing tying them together and nurturing their relationship and although Art writes to Lois every day, there is no guarantee he will receive a letter from her to read and today was another day with no letter. There is no guarantee he will receive passes to even see her from weekend to weekend, and he has no idea where he is going to be sent next. Talk about taking a risk and just trusting. Must have been very hard for both of them.

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Christian Inspiration, Dreams, flowers, Life, Nature, Parables, Transformation

A Parable of Flowers

Debra Worden

-Written in 2004

The Dandelion

Most of us look at Dandelions and think of them as weeds not worthy of fertilizing. Yet the Dandelion starts out a stunning shade of yellow like that of the Sunflower. Children are drawn to its bright, beautiful color and believe it to be a delightful flower worthy of picking. To a child, the Dandelion is a perfect masterpiece as it is. They are ignorant to the fact it is just a weed.

What is the fate of a Dandelion that no child reaches toward?  The once beautiful structure turns grey and is blown by the wind never to be seen again. The Dandelions are much like the lost souls who are suffering in our world without a relationship with God.  They are born as a masterpiece of beauty.  They begin as precious, innocent babies.  Any adult child of God would be drawn to love them, ignorant to the fact the child may be headed for a life of pain, powerlessness, nowhere, nothingness….

What is the fate of the lost souls that no one chooses to reach out to in our world?  Feeling unloved, they may be blown by the winds, growing old and grey without knowing a way home to The Father. 

The Phlox


The Phlox has a tiny stem.  By itself it doesn’t look like a flower of magnificence.  Its petals are few and its center is tiny.  Do not be deceived by the power of this precious, little flower.  This flower can be planted among the rocks and the worst of soil and still flourish and spread. Perhaps it is their tiny roots working together in community to seek their way down to find water in the soil together is what gives them nourishment to multiply the way they do. 

If you’ve ever seen a bed of Phlox, you know it can hardly contain itself. No boundary can withhold this flower from spreading its beauty. Each person who has found God is just like one of the Phlox. It is hard to comprehend that one little person in God’s flock can do so much for the rest of the flock, but it is harder to be filled with the Spirit of God when you’re walking the journey alone. By bonding together and gaining nourishment and strength from each other and our source, our cups overflow onto those around us and inevitably we extend our boundaries. Like the Phlox, most who have found God can hardly contain ourselves and we just want to spread God’s Love for the sake of everyone around us.

The Sunflower

The Sunflower has a stem so thick it looks more like a stalk.  It is full of the strength needed to uphold its massive flower.  The Sunflower does not need anything to lean on like other tall flowers.  No fence or trellis is required.  The only thing the Sunflower seems to yearn for is the Sun.  It looks to the source of its strength every moment of every day, its face obediently turning and following the Sun as it arcs across the sky from East to West, never wavering. 

Can you picture how hard it must be for that stalk to bend and follow its source of strength and yet still fulfill its duty to support that enormous flower? When I think of a Sunflower, it reminds me of Jesus.  Like the Sunflower, he was so full of the strength needed to uphold his massive mission.  He leaned on no one.  He always turned to his source, The Father, as his supply of strength.  He never wavered.

Is there another flower that has a center like the Sunflower?  Its heart is so huge and so full of seeds to be spread on the earth.  Likewise, I can think of no other man whose heart was as large as Jesus’.  Whether you believe in him or not, you have to admire how big of a heart he had.  My heart aches and wants to break over the thought of just one of those that I love not making it to heaven.  This man’s heart was so huge his heart ached at the thought of any soul not making it heaven. 

He must have been full of sadness for each and every one of us to wish to endure what he did and die for every last one of us.  Perhaps he didn’t just go into solitary places to pray but to cry his heart out seeing how far so many were from home.  I believe he is watching our world and still crying…….

While he spread so many, many seeds upon the earth to bring souls home to The Father, there are still so many Dandelions in our world who need the Phlox of Gods children to love them.

Faith Without Works

What would happen to the Phlox if each one became comfortable? What if they thought they were safe just by being part of the massive bed? What if they let the others do all the work of extending their boundaries? What if they stopped drawing from their source of nourishment believing they would be nourished by the work of others? Their mass would dwindle and become sparse. Their brilliance would fade since the Phlox are most admirable for their beauty in numbers.

What would our world look like if each one of us who believe in God became comfortable? What if we believed we were safe just being part of the masses but never trying to practice what the mass teaches? What if each of us believed there were others to do the work of extending the boundaries of God’s love and left that work all up to them? How would we treat others if we stopped drawing from the source of our own love from the Father?

You see, that Son flower must still be crying because there are still so many Dandelions out there … lonely, suffering or feeling unworthy, not knowing the love of The Father.  They have no one who cares to reach out and fertilize them with love as any young child would do for the Dandelion. 

How many in the flock of sheep are too comfortable in our self absorbed world?  We must become like little children who run to the Dandelions and proudly say “Look, Daddy, a flower!”.  We must run to the Dandelions of our world and with a great sense of joy and pride say to our Heavenly Father, “Look at the precious lost soul I have found and have loved!”

A Prayer for You

To the Phlox: The next time you see a Dandelion, may you be reminded of this parable. May you pray for a soul you know is suffering or feeling unloved to come into the flock of God’s sheep. May you be reminded of your innocence when you were a child and ran to the Dandelions. May you feel deep in your soul you are helping this person, pride within your heart for doing so, and God’s love shining upon you in gladness. Whether that Dandelion is young, bright and yellow one or an old and grey one… please pray, for even children find something worthy in the old and grey ones. In fact, if that Dandelion is an old and grey one, may you take a risk and feel like a child again, pick it, and make a wish upon it for a lost Dandelion of this world.

To the Dandelions:  May you know that you are loved by God even if no one extends love to you in this world.  May you know that you are beautiful just as you are.  May God introduce you to one in his flock who can help lead you into the knowledge of the fullness of God’s love.  May you enter the journey of becoming one of those in the flock who can help other Dandelions, for you can identify with the lost souls more then anyone else.  You are the least threatening to them and can do the most to reach them since you’ve been one yourself.

To Those Striving to be Sunflowers:  May you never give up in your determination.  May God give you the strength to endure the rest of your journey and the answers you need in order to get there.  May you pray earnestly for the Dandelions of this world.  May you feel the sadness that comes with knowing they need your prayers but still not lose sight of the joy. May you pray for those in the Phlox of our world to yearn to be Sunflowers, for just imagine what the world would look like if everyone in the flock of God’s children strove to be as obedient to their source as the Sunflowers.  It would be Heavenly!

Love Letters to Lois By Art

Love Letters to Lois by Art: Letter #24

Debra Worden

Introductions by Debra

This is a true, first-hand account of the innermost thoughts of Art to his beloved Lois, written while serving our country as a United States Marine during World War II. My name is Debra and I am sharing the gifts of Art’s Love Letters. Art was my grandfather and Lois was my grandmother. It was 1944 and they were 21 years old when the letters began.

The Letter Transcript

Monday, June 26, 1944

My Dearest Lois,

Two letters from you today and one of them contained what I’ve been waiting for. The pictures were really perfect. My little Honey, came out wonderful and I’m really tickled to death. Going to send some of them home tonight to show the Folks. They’ll be in love with you I know. They keep asking about those pictures we took. Naturally I’ll get them back as I don’t care to part with anyone of them. Thanks, Honey, you sure are a wonderful girl. Lucky guy that I am being engaged to you!

Darling, am enclosing my sister’s letter, what do you think of it? You know it would be awfully nice if you dropped the Folks a letter. My folks would be happy over it I know.

So you went to a fortune teller. Quite interesting even though it is so much baloney. We are going to get married next spring, huh? That is something we are going to talk over this weekend, I hope. Okay, honey? Hope that little package does come as it contains fifteen dollars (equivalent to $233.15 today, September 2021). The pin isn’t much but I’d like to see you get that money back!

Too bad about Alice leaving but will still live with you girls when she comes back, right?

Hmmm, sounds like my “Little One” is getting mighty P.O.’d at the office. Doesn’t sound like my Lois, but then everybody runs into some kind of trouble now and then. We have a lot of that too in the service Honey, but deal with it different.

Think I’ll wait to ask you some more questions Lois. Will find out tomorrow if I come or not for sure. No need to worry about censors, Darling, as there is no such thing in the States. That is only overseas.

I know I haven’t answered many questions Dear, but will answer them tomorrow. Have quite a bit of ironing to do tonight and must be presentable to my little women.

Oh yes, will call this Thursday and let you know for sure. No more surprises, huh?

Bye for now, Honey. I love you more and more every day. Be seeing you in my dreams.

With All My Love,
Art

Questions, Conclusions and Commentary

Enclosed in this letter was a comic strip clipping from a newspaper. Art took the time to put the names of his family members next to different characters in the comic strip, including the dog. I know his sister is Irmy and his brother is Bob. I’m not sure who Frank and Nancy are but I am sure my mother must know.

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