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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Plane Sailing" data-source="post: 8248625" data-attributes="member: 114"><p><h2>Chapter 4 - After the war we shall…</h2><h3></h3><h3>Anna (diamonds)</h3><p>My darling John,</p><p> </p><p>I am so pleased that my package was so good for your spirits. And I am so proud of you and all the lads. I told the ladies at the dry good store about you and the other boys at the front, and they ALL made mittens and hats and scarfs! We pooled our money to ship it to you and your company. By my count, there are twenty pairs of mittens with matching scarfs and hats, all from the ladies of our town, all in different bright colors. We debated the colors--dark and grey to keep you all hidden from the Krauts in your trenches, or bright to bring the love of home for you. It was quite the debate, and in the end they are mostly dark colors, but some of the fringe on the scarfs is very bright indeed. We hope you can tuck this into your coats. I also have a separate package for you, just from me, for my dearest love. A sweater. Be very careful unwrapping it, because inside it is a paper package with some hard cheese and a flask of scotch. I hope these provide comfort. And maybe the flask will be of use. Bring it back to me when you return, and we will see what we can fill it with next.</p><p> </p><p>Odysseus would persevere, as you do. He would keep his wits and wisdom and compatriots, as you do (I am so proud of you!) and bring everything to succeed and come home. I am thinking of what we can do after the war, and praying for your safe return. I will be here awaiting you with my own weaving. I hope it will be spring, and we can walk in the field of daisies behind the church. Let all the lads know that we at the home front are proud of you! Your strength in the face of danger and horrors, your duty to God and Crown.</p><p> </p><p>All my love,</p><p>Anna</p><p></p><h3>John (clubs)</h3><p>My Dearest, loveliest little Anna,</p><p>Your package arrived just in time.  I did not know France could be so cold.  I'm afraid the mittens are a bit dirty, but I think of you every time I wear them.  I'm very glad you are such a smart gal. I often need to wear both pair at once to keep away the frost bite.  I thank God every day you, mother and Eleanor are so skilled, thoughtful and loving.  It's as if the fibers of your love cover my ears so I hear the whistle of the bombs and the extra length of the scarf keep the shrapnel from my neck.  </p><p> </p><p>I'm doing my best to make you proud of me.  I try to be brave for my trench-mates.  I ask myself, "what would Odysseus do?" I pray to God that I am not away as long as he was.  Even if I am, I know you will be even stronger and more cunning than Penelope.  Keep in your heart and prayers as you after in mine.</p><p>All my love, always,</p><p>John</p></blockquote><p></p>

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