The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-09-23
A Thought for Today
Christmas Letter to a Lonely Heart

nom home this Christmas, IN strange,
new surroundings. Some will spend
listless, unhappy day in army camps;
others will be herded on troop trains or
conveys bound for destinations un-
known; still others will be fighting
through the grim horror Of actual bat
tie. Though they and we realize the ne
ceSSity for this suffering and separation,
our knowledge will not ease the sorrow
and heartache Of being apart, for the
meaning Of Christmas and the memories
it evokes will be too vivid, too real for us
to deny. For fighting men, especially,
world will contrast poignantly with their
remembrance of the happy peaceful
Christmases of other years.
To diminish their loneliness is the duty
Of all Of us here at home. The gifts we
and will probably fulfill the few material
needs a soldier has. But no gift, no
Christmas dinner can allay the loneli-
ness Of his heart, the needs of the spirit.
To bridge this gulf Of separation, to reach
the soldiers heart, to bring him cheer and
comfort and love-write letter.
Write a keepsake letter, one that he
can cherish and treasure and reread
that will bring him an awareneSS OF
home, q host of pleasant memories, and
strong sense Of faith in the future Though
your letters may usually avoid the senti-
mental, don't hold back the words Of love,
devotion, and reinsurance this Christmas
time. Think Of the soldier to whom you're
writing, Of what you'd tell him II you were
with him, and then write everything your
Overlooking heart dictates. Make your
letter intimate, make 1t sound like YOU
and It viii speak to him as II you, your
self. were present. Fill 1t full OF the Joy.
the sights, the smells, the memories OF
other ChristmaseS and your man-ln-
Service will be transported for few bliss
full moments to where his loved ones wait
for him.
As in all letters to fighting man, your
first thought will be Of him :. will TINS
help his morale? {. Is this the news the
way he wants to hear It? Because mes
away, does he want you to spend your
day alone and unhappy -. or rather
does he want your day to be spent
a much as possible like the days he re-
members, knowing, Of course, that you
miss him and think Of him constantly?
would he prefer whining complaint OF
a rationed Christmas dinner to an anus
ing account Of an excellent "ersatz" tur-
kew? Would he like to hear that the lam
ily "a not exchanging gifts because OF the
terrific taxes or should you tell MN
that expensive luxury" gifts are being
replaced by war bonds, but that every
one will have presents Of some KIND unoer
the tree on Christmas Eve?
Write letters that begin Remember
when" send him smudged, but LOVING
notes from the children in the family
circle send him snapshots OF friends,
family, familiar Scenes-any memento
that viii make him feel you're sharing
YOUR Christmas with him.
What your fighting man away from
home needs Is a renewed knowledge o!
how much you at home are thinking OF
him, Of how you are supporting him on
the home front, of how carefully you
are preserving the traditions he's tight
ing for. All this you can do In
letter.
Remember, too, that Army and Navy
nurses, WACS, WAVES, defense work
ers - all who are away from home wag-
ing our battle in one way or another
need the same encouragement ana
solace as the fighting men.
Today, when the spirit of Christmas
peace. goodwill toward men - the very
foundation Of our belief and hope IN
better world to come, is so obScured In
world at war, make a special effort 10
keep your personal, intimate world OF
friends and family haven of love and
kindness through letters.