Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1918-12-12
supeesties for Mothers letter.

Son OF Mine:
They're sending you hnipe 10 me at
last Through all these months Of
waiting and longing I've been wearing
star for you and holding my head
high and thinking wonderful thoughts
about YOU. I've watched you through
ocean mists and dreamed anxious
dreams. Yes, and cried a little, too.
but not when people could see.
And now you're coming home oh,
II seems too good 10 be true I've just
read your letters again. They say so
much more than you ever thought
when You were writing then Just
happenings all most ~ the
things YOU wrote about were 20 Nou
But 10 me they said you were facns
the biggest thing In life. facing 10
bravely. as | should want nv son to
face 10. You were Offering your body
and Your soul for thing bigger tnmn
you or me or America.
Whom l wrote 90 You tricd fu
write cheerful. encouraging letters
because I did not want YOU TO 20 into
=
back from the big sacrifice. lis only
n"w. when the fighting Is over. mar
rlr lct down "a little and be- Just ,uur
uvtror. lust The woman WHO lao, ~
Nou better than anything else IN The
world and II 80 glad 20 know you're
coming back 20 her that she doesn't
car" who sees her cry.
ls.~l.uIa ~ SOM. tl,. l.,.e q, a..
have stood With you - finely through
these trials the fighting j. not yet 40
over. The fighting | mean is that be-
tween man and himself. and for
many of them this will be the hardest
battle OF all. During the long days
and evenings OF waiting before they
can start for home thoughts " IA creep
into their minds which will be hard
to reslSt There will be times after all
these months Of action when The long
ing for change and for the companion
ship ~ women may lead them into ms.
sociat!ons which will spoil their home
coming and cause them shame and hui
initiation. and even perhaps mike
them UNIT 10 receive the love that
awaits them here.
You dearest boy. are just 80 human
40 your comrades, and feelings like
these may come 10 you too. l don't
ask you to crush them. They are nat
ural. and they only prove that war has
failed TO dry up the well spring OF
your emotions. ask you only 10 rec
oEnixe them when they come and To
control them with the fine strength
you have gained while fighting for the
ideals and principles Of America. Just
remember that many Joyous wears of
life are ahead OF you and that the risk
Of spelling them and the love that will
Ill them il too tremendous to run for
. short hour Of seeming pleasure
Many OF the boys who will come
home with you have no mothers 10
write 10 them. Some OF them may
think that no one cares what they do.
But somebody does care. America
cares. And the girls they viii marry
some day care. And. oh, the difference
II will make In their lives II they viii
just remember that there r. always
somebody. always.
Help them TO remember. Help them
TO come home clean and fine Don't
lst them spoil everything now They
have been 40 splendid. IL you think
this letter will help them give IL To
them. IL they have no mothers let nae
be their mother until they have come
back and taken the high places thar
await them here. Tell them 10 write
to me How I should treasure fhoir
letters
And. OF course, you will write 10 me.
Just say that You underestimate
you know why | have written this let
ter. Then l can walt months-yes
even years-knowlng that YOU Will
come home 10 me as fine and Glenn ~
you were when l sent yon away 10
camp so long ago. MOTHER