Another World

 

My wife and I spent yesterday afternoon at the Willamette National Cemetery. We were there for the interment of her stepmother. She was going be interred next to Karen’s dad. Karen’s dad began WWII as a sailor in the Merchant Marine and, before the war ended, was a sailor in the US Navy. While waiting to be escorted to one of the shelters for the memorial service, Marines arrived for another service. So we missed the endless parade of pundits for the Senate verdict on President Trump’s impeachment.

Karen’s dad was a farm boy from North Dakota and joined the Merchant Marine to escape the farm, and a chance to see the world that existed beyond the Dakota plains. He saw a bit more of that world than he bargained for. On his first voyage, his ship was sunk by a German U-boat. He and some of his shipmates found themselves in a lifeboat and watched as the U-boat surfaced. They thought that the Germans were going to finish the job they started. The sailors on the U-boat gave them some food, and then gave them directions on the course they needed to follow to get back to the US coast.

Karen’s stepmother was a kind and gracious woman. Years ago, our daughter almost entered the world in their living room. We made it to the hospital in time; about an hour after Karen went into labor, our daughter was born.

There was some laughter and tears on that cold, rainy day yesterday. Two blended families sharing memories of someone they loved, and who loved them, and later talking about children, and grandchildren.

Karen and I didn’t miss anything yesterday in the big world; we had everything we needed in our little world.

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There are 6 comments.

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  1. Jim McConnell Member
    Jim McConnell
    @JimMcConnell

    A refreshing change from all the political news. Thanks for the post.

    • #1
  2. ShaunaHunt Inactive
    ShaunaHunt
    @ShaunaHunt

    Thank you! Posts like these make Ricochet worthwhile.

    • #2
  3. Hank Rhody, Badgeless Bandito Contributor
    Hank Rhody, Badgeless Bandito
    @HankRhody

    Doug Watt: He and some of his shipmates found themselves in a lifeboat and watched as the U-boat surfaced. They thought that the Germans were going to finish the job they started. The sailors on the U-boat gave them some food, and then gave them directions on the course they needed to follow to get back to the US coast.

    It’s good to remember that not all the Nazis were, well, Nazis about it.

    • #3
  4. Locke On Member
    Locke On
    @LockeOn

    I think you mean interment.  </pedant>

    • #4
  5. MichaelKennedy Inactive
    MichaelKennedy
    @MichaelKennedy

    WEB Griffin’s novels about the Army after WWII and about Army aviation have much sympathy for the Germans.  He was stationed there after the war and his “Brotherhood of War” series is largely autobiographical.  He married an Austrian girl.  I have been a fan of his novels for many years. They are so well researched that he has the street names of officer housing at Fort Rucker correct. Pretty good history, too.

    • #5
  6. Doug Watt Member
    Doug Watt
    @DougWatt

    Locke On (View Comment):

    I think you mean interment. </pedant>

    I made the change, thank you.

    • #6
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