Reflections on a Happy New Year

Happy New Year is the sentiment and good wishes we hear at the beginning of each and every new year.

Let's take a brief moment to focus on each of these three individual words.



Happy - What does that really mean? It can mean different things to different people. We all seek it, but in different ways. We all want to be happy and so many of us search for things that we think will satisfy this need. Some believe it is wealth, others pursue pleasure, and there are those who seek power, then some just want to be honored and adored. Any and all of these things are sought after in the belief that it will bring happiness into their lives. Yet we all know that if we do attain any of this, it can be temporary and fleeting. Ask any wealthy person who's lost everything, ask those who are addicted to porn or "free love and sex" how satisfied and happy they are after their initial highs. Ask all those kings and dictators who have fallen from power over the centuries, and ask the actors in Hollywood how quickly they can lose their notoriety and celebrity status. Beauty is fleeting. Fame is fickle.

So should we invest our lives in all of these things that are perishable? Our Creator has told us the irony is that when we "die unto oneself", by losing our pride and self-centeredness and increase our love and compassion for others .... that is where we can find true joy and happiness. People, and most importantly Our Lord, will remember your kindness to others forever. "Whatever you do to the least of my brothers, that you do unto Me." These good works are not perishable or fleeting, and they will bring you immense satisfaction and rewards in the here and now, and in the afterlife. The Lord loves a cheerful giver. This is the only true and lasting state of happiness.


New - New, as opposed to old, is a concept to reflect on. In the context of the new year, it can mean a fresh start. The beginning of a new phase in our lives. Many of you have heard the saying, the only thing constant in life is change. Think about how we started out as a tiny, microscopic fertilized egg, then transitioned into an infant, then continued to grow as a child, a teenager, and then a young adult. We continually were evolving into a new phase. We then have taken a variety of different paths that could have included becoming a college student, or started a career in a trade, possibly got married, started a family and began raising your own children.

Each new phase of your life is unique in it's own way. We learn to adapt and cope, because many of these new transitions bring difficult challenges to us. Then we get older and reach mid-life and start to reflect back on our lives, and many ask ourselves "What's it all about?".... life, that is. We tried to do our best, yet those difficulties arose. People moved in and out of our lives. Relationships changed. Medical issues had to be dealt with. Meeting basic needs might have gotten harder and harder. Yet the human spirit tries somehow to conjure up the strength to persevere and meet all of these trials and tribulations head on. We derive this strength from the hope that these things too will change over time .... and hopefully improve. Tomorrow brings the hope of a new and better day. This hope and strength comes from the grace of God. And after it's all said and done in this life, we have the promise of a new, and much more different one that awaits us. He has prepared a place for us.


Year - This is obviously a measurement of earthly time. The older we get, the more we start to focus on our own mortality. The earth we occupy now is also another temporary thing in our lives. We are not just human beings .... we are cosmic beings, with a soul that lasts forever. I know this, not just from my own faith's teachings, but I also read this from a God-doubting neurosurgeon who had a near death experience of his own while in a coma, and he received what he called a foretaste of the afterlife. He said it was all so real. Earthly time obviously did not apply. Language did not matter. He thought of a question and then he immediately became aware of the answer. Can you say telepathic? He also immediately understood the answer. This knowledge he acquired wasn't like the sometimes arduous learning process that our human brains experience here on earth.

He travelled through what he called a Gateway, and then eventually to the Core, which he said was Divine in nature. He was unable to describe in human words the immenseness, and the love and warmth that eminated from this Core. After this experience, he no longer is one who doubts the existence of God.

He also had an angelic escort with him during this experience. I'd like to think it was his guardian angel, that we're told is present with us in the here and now also. Angels are God's messengers. God is always trying to reach out to us in different ways. We just have to open up our hearts and be receptive to His subtle and gentle ways of communicating with us, whether it's through thoughts that pop into our heads, or experiences with people or things that could be called coincidences .... yet we wonder if they are. He is One who is always prodding us to do what is right .... and you could also say, giving us the desire to want to make Him proud! I hope at the end of my earthly life, I will hear "Job well done, good and faithful servant!"


So, I pray that you will be open to seek the true happiness in this earthly new year. It is there for all of us to find and receive.

From Barack Obama's book titled Audacity of Hope:
"I will stand with the Muslims should the political winds shift in an ugly direction."

"The Democrats are for Cradle-To-Grave entitlements.  It's getting to the cradle that's the hard part!"
- Dennis Miller

Women's rights activists claim abortion should be safe, legal and rare.  Well since when should rights be considered "rare"? 
-Laura Ingraham

A FEMALE HAS A RIGHT TO HER OWN BODY,
EVEN IF SHE'S STILL IN THE WOMB!

Our secret decoder rings

I guess my fellow conservatives and I are going to have to get out our "secret decoder rings" in order to decifer what the liberal/progressive Democrats claim we're talking about.  They're the ones saying we're talking in "code".  It's truly amazing how they interpret what we say.  As the saying goes....Perception Is Everything.  It doesn't mean their attacks on us necessarily have to be true, it's just that their claims have to stick.  It's getting really pathetic.  At least they're not saying we're felons or are the cause of some poor woman's cancer death! 

So the word police is out and about, doing their investigative work on all those dreadful code words the Tea Party, Christian, fiscal and social conservatives allegedly use.  So it's not enough that we've been accused of being intolerant, racist, homophobic bigots who have a war on women.  We're now in the pretend world of Star Trek type science-fiction who speak in coded language to get our points across.  No wonder we have a failure to communicate!

I believe it goes to show that if they don't have a good defense or comeback on the topic being discussed, then the Rules For Radicals kicks in, and that is to attack your rival with some ignorant accusation and hope it sticks.  But I think (and hope) people listening to these debates are able to see right through this.  Liberals like to claim that they are the tolerant ones, yet their tolerance does not seem to apply to the people who disagree with them!  So much for free speech in America.  But I think they should be put on notice that these tactics are not working for them. 

 

Are we being put to the test?

Check this video out, if you aren't one of the almost 2 million people (as of today) who have already viewed it!

Test of Fire
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9vQt6IXXaM

NO NATION CAN REMAIN IGNORANT AND STAY FREE.  EDUCATE YOURSELVES!

My goodness, this post would have qualified for Twitter because of it's brevity!

I'm back, after almost a year's absence from posting on this blog.  I've made a slight change to the name, from Hyperopic One to Hyperopic View.  Hyperopic means far sighted, if anyone didn't want to take the time to look it up.  I am literally far sighted, concerning my eyesight, but I also like to think my thoughts and concerns are always looking towards the future....and not just here on earth, but it's also my heavenly goal.

My main interests are still religion and politics, so that's what most of my content will be.  Hopefully I will be able to spark some interest in what I have to say.  I don't do Facebook or Twitter, so this is my outlet for spouting off on current events.  I've been accused by my friends and family of getting a little too long winded sometimes, so I could never be on Twitter when I'm only limited to 140 characters!

The story in the news for the last couple of days has been about Todd Akin.  I must say I was a little disappointed at how quickly the Republican big wigs "threw him under the bus".  Granted, his comments were inartfully expressed and misunderstood as being insensitive, but he did apoligize. 

If this was a test for how the GOP party bosses are going to stand with the Christian conservatives, then I believe they failed this test.  They are too afraid of the Dems and the liberal media branding us all as being politically incorrect bigots.  I understand they don't want to risk losing this seat from Missouri, which should be a somewhat easy pick up for them, but what I'm sensing is that there is still some strong support for Akin, despite all the condemnation.  However, we fiscal and social conservatives are fired up and the Republicans should know that they can't afford to alienate this strong voting block.  They should know that we truly do stand for what's good and true.....Life and Liberty.  Let the Dems go ahead and have their convention theme be Death and Taxes.    

Deja Vu?

"Pass this bill" is what we've heard over and over again in the President's speeches regarding his "American Jobs Act".  In my opinion, that's about as believable at the "Affordable Care Act" (Obamacare).  The deja vu part is that the progressive Democrats want these bills passed before we even know all of what's in them, just as Nancy Pelosi stated with the healthcare bill.  Put a great (but vague) spin on the bill, all while duping the American public as to it's true nature.  Haven't we fallen for this before? 

So the Pres. is taking himself via Air Force One to one state after another spreading this message in the hopes that by "taking it to the people" they will put pressure on their representatives in Congress to "pass this bill".  I say, save the taxpayers some money and quit flying all over the country with your phony speeches, and campaigning, and going to fundraisers on our dime. 

He's banking on the fact that the poll numbers for Congress are worse than his.  But there's a reason why there's gridlock in the Congress.  Some may view this as a negative thing, but many...if not the majority now, are glad there's some gridlock.  Someone has to put the brakes on these "Dems gone wild"!  The last election in 2010 sent many sensible people to Congress to stop many of these deceptive bills that have been "rammed down our throats".  Yet, Democrat Maxine Waters has been quoted as saying she wants these people to "Go to hell".  Ain't that nice?!  I guess she didn't get the President's civility memo! 

Little by little we're finding out what's in the healthcare bill and it's not all they said it would be.  It was repeated often that "You will not have to change your doctor", yet many physicians are finding out they're one of the ones who will be getting stiffed.  Is it possible that these doctors may start refusing to take patients with govt. insurance if they will be expected to increasingly discount their service fees?  That's only one small part of the numerous things I could say about this disingenuous, misleading and deceptive bill. 
 
So don't believe the wolves in sheep's clothing and their spin on how great their vision for America will be.  It's nothing but a big government power grab.  Having the government pick winners and losers, such as in business and banking, instead of the free market determining who should survive in this economy, is wrong.  Need I say Solyndra?! 

This Jobs Act will be nothing more than another wasteful Stimulus #2.  Weren't many of the roads and bridges supposed to be fixed with the first stimulus?  What happened to that?  Here's a good one I heard about more borrowing for government stimulus spending....it was an e-mail that was sent to one of the cable TV news pundits that said (I'm paraphrasing)  "It would be like asking your boss for a raise after you blew your paycheck at the bar."  Or how about a college student who's maxed out their credit card and then wants to borrow more money from their parents....not to pay the card off, but to spend even more.  You're never goning to get ahead that way, but they think we can tax and spend ourselves into prosperity.  Sadly, history has shown it doesn't work that way. 

Face the facts folks.  The truth is we need to get ready for some painful cuts, not receive more goodies.  This would be the responsible thing to do....and most of us know it.

Actions Speak Louder Than Words

This seems to be the theme for this Sunday's gospel reading.

Jesus said to the chief priests and elders of the people:
"What is your opinion?  A man has two sons.  He came to the first and said, "Son, go out and work in the vineyard today."  He said in reply, "I will not," but afterwards changed his mind and went.
The man came to the other son and gave the same order.  He said in reply, "Yes, sir," but did not go.

Which of the two did his father's will?"  They answered, "The first."

Jesus said to them, "Amen, I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you.  When John (the Baptist) came to you in the way of righteousness, you did not believe him,  but tax collectors and prostitutes did.  Yet even when you saw that, you did not later change your minds and believe him."  

Matthew 21:28-32

The chief priests and elders held a high opinion of themselves, proud yet hypocritical.  The tax collectors and prostitutes were considered on one of the lowest rungs of society at that time.  That can still be true to this day.  The writer of this gospel Matthew was a tax collector before becoming one of the apostles, and Mary Magdalene was a prostitute before she became one of  the followers of Jesus.  Both achieved sainthood in the eyes of His Church.  Just as Jesus taught....He came for the sinners, the lost lambs.  Also, He came not to judge them, but to save them.  True repentance is the key, then mercy and forgiveness are yours. 

God's Message To The World

If My people, who are called by My Name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My Face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

2 Chronicles 7:14

Sign of the Times

The following is a sign seen in front of a local church.

We have two choices.  We can either....

A.   Follow the herd
or
B.   Follow the Shepherd

I love this one because it is so true.  It's very tough today, and takes a lot of courage, to go against popular culture and stand up and speak out on your  beliefs.  You may very well be viewed as being politically incorrect.  You can be accused of not being a compassionate person if you don't go along with all kinds of perceived "inequalities", such as same sex marriage.  Our liberal culture is pressuring us to give the LGBT community their rights, yet does not expect us to acknowledge the rights of other human beings, such as the fetus.  Those who truly are the most innocent and blameless ones among us are victimized by the abortion holocaust, yet the criminals in our American society are given the presumption of innocence and a rigorous defense (which is paid for by the taxpayers if they can't afford it themselves). 

Also, here's a little more food for thought.  Just compare the recent stories in the news of Jaycee Dugard and Casey Anthony and the difference in their attitudes toward their offspring.  Jaycee, who was kidnapped at age 11, held hostage and repeatedly raped for 18 years, gave birth to two children by her captor/rapist during that time.  Despite all that, she lovingly took care of those children, and did not resent them for her difficult situation. 

Casey, on the other hand, had been free to go about and live her life.  She seemingly used that time to enjoy herself and voluntarily be promiscuous.  She did not even have the inclination or desire to report her own child (from an admitted one night stand)  had been missing for 31 days.  She then lied to her family and the police repeatedly when they tried to help find her daughter.  She reportedly told Equisearch it was a "waste of time" to look for Caylee, all while falsely claiming she believed she was still alive at the time.  Why wasn't this brought up at the trial?  Motive and evidence appeared to be there, yet a jury could not seem to connect the dots.  The jury was either confused and/or duped by the defense's argument of what is considered 'beyond a reasonable doubt'.  Or maybe the jury just had more of a conscience about the possibility of inflicting a death penalty on Casey.  Too bad they didn't seem to observe or take into account Casey's apparent lack of a guilty conscience and grief over her daughter's death, no matter how it happened.  Also, why did Casey have a panic attack when she was told Caylee's body was found?  Why wasn't this brought up at the trial either?  What's wrong with this picture?  What's wrong with our culture?  What's wrong with our system?
      

Sunday's thoughts

The only thing that hurts God more than sin, is our denial of sin.

We live in a world full of temptation and confusing messages in the media. To deny the fact that this current social media culture of ours is sinful, could be a willful suspension of belief.  There are people who have an 'ignorance is bliss' attitude, and then there are others who have total indifference.  

In other words, you either don't believe in God's natural law, or you're oblivious to it....or you do realize it and you don't care.  It's all about what feels good to the individual.

However, I reside comfortably in knowing His Truth.  He loves us and knows what's best for us.  I pray for the ones who don't know Him, or deny Him.



Political Ironies

Memorable quotes


The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of blessings,

the inherent vice of socialism is the equal sharing of miseries.

* * *

Some regard private enterprise as if it were a predatory tiger to be shot,

Others look upon it as a cow they can milk,

Only a handful see it for what it really is - the strong horse that pulls the whole cart.

* * *

You don't make the poor richer by making the rich poorer.

* * *

If you are 20 and not a liberal, you have no heart,

If you are 40 and not a conservative, you have no brain.

(I prefer a more kinder and gentler term of having no common sense.)

* * *

The farther backward you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.
Learn from past mistakes in history.

A Sad Anniversary

Many of us know God's teachings are wise. We know how His guidance is righteous. We know deep in our hearts His plan is right for us. Living by God's teachings will help us to avoid difficult situations. For example, when we engage in casual sex, it can have dire health and/or emotional consequences for us. It will affect not only our own lives, but the lives of others too. Help us to avoid hurting one another.

We should always keep in mind that God did create us to be sexual beings, and that is a good thing when used in the proper circumstances, such as when you are in a committed relationship. This is because our actions can result in the creation of a new life. It is a life that has both it's own unique DNA, and it's sex already determined at conception. The heart begins beating within 16 days of conception, which is often prior to the woman even realizing she's pregnant. 

There are those that would prefer to use the term fetal tissue, instead of calling it a fetus or baby.  This is understandable because most women are required to process and rationalize the thought or action of having an abortion as something other than ending the life of their own flesh and blood.  They have to diminish or overlook the existence of it's own humanity, for them to be able to cope with and tolerate what should be intolerable.  It takes guts to go through with an unexpected or unwanted pregnancy, especially if you don't have the spousal and/or family support.  It takes guts to raise a child you know in advance may have health issues.  It takes guts to raise a child that was conceived during a tramatic rape or incestual incident.  Yet, those conditions are not the baby's fault. 

Thus I believe the term human being should be used in debating this issue. Then it's humanity and subsequent rights would have to be recognized.  There should be no disputing that fact that when you see what's been previously written concerning the unique and individual human DNA, the sex determined and the heartbeat detectable very early on, that this is a human being.  Thus, since there is no scientific doubt that it's a human being, it's life should not be diminished, cheapened or cast aside. Life should be given respect in all its stages, even when it is conceived in less than desirable situations or when the thought of the future care of this human being would be a challenge.

The plain and simple, in your face truth is....

You cannot claim to be a Christian and also be pro choice. That is an oxymoron.

Psalm 139:13-14 tells us.... For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

Ephesians 2:10 tells us.... For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

God has a plan for each and every one of us. However, as we recall the 38th anniversary since Roe v Wade was established, over 50 million lives have been snuffed out, because some feminists convinced others it should be their legal right to choose to abort their unborn child. They said it's just a piece of tissue to be removed and discarded. Their thinking was that it would be a quick "solution" to a physical "problem". But unfortunately for those who have chosen to go this "quick" route, it has haunted many of them emotionally and yes, even in some cases physically, for the rest of their lives. Some women have even lost their own lives in the process of this legal procedure. Many of these stories go unreported.

There is a better way.....God's way. Teaching sexual morality, responsibility, and respect for oneself is desperately needed. Our current media culture of music, movies and TV shows are showing just the opposite. It's cool to sleep around and "experiment". But they're playing around with the lives of others. The media doesn't always show the down side of having all this "fun". There can be difficult consequences in a variety of different ways. In reality, young people can be gullible and easily confused by these mixed messages, and they're being misled by our secular culture. We can remain silent no more.

A Prayer for the Unborn to the Holy Family

Jesus, Mary and Joseph I love you very much. I beg you to

shine Your love and hope upon the worried mother, so she

will spare the life of her unborn child that for now, may be

in danger of losing its chance for life, due to an abortion.


I will be their voice....


Let me live...

Let me walk into the sunshine...


Let me live...

To feel my mother's arms around me...

To feel my father's love surround me...


Let me live...

To be a part of God's creation...


Let me live...

Isn't life strange?

Isn't life strange?

I never met one U.S. veteran who enlisted, in order to fight for Socialism.

I know this term "socialism" has gotten thrown around a lot in our national discourse. Just for a refresher, written below is the actual definition of socialism according to dictionary.com

Socialism

1. a theory or system of social organization that advocates the vesting of the ownership and control of the means of production and distribution, of capital, land, etc., in the community as a whole.

2. the procedure or practice in accordance with this theory.

3. (in Marxist theory) the stage following capitalism in the transition of a society to communism, characterized by the imperfect implementation of collectivist principles.

After reading this, shouldn't it be understandable why there are many Americans who view the policies, bail outs and bills we've seen recently, as being somewhat similar to socialism? Some in the mainstream media aren't even hiding that fact now. After Obama's election, Newsweek had a front cover which was titled "We're All Socialists Now".

So who really are the so-called stupid ones? The Tea Party? How can it be, when there have been so many obvious "red flags" in their faces?  They should be considered the alert and astute ones.  How are they supposed to act when faced with all the news reports of what's been coming out of Washington D.C. over the last two years?

They ask, "Why are so many people upset? Why is there so much venom and vitriol?" Well, if you see a train wreck about to happen, what are you supposed to do? I guess they must not yell....they must be civil, right?! Are they supposed to take all this with a smile?

To put it simply, many feel this is all about a big power grab by the progressives, disguised as "compassionate" help. But we must know our history. It can repeat itself! Liberalism has been on showcase, and it has been rejected, as shown by the results of the last election.

Don't forget too, that our president wrote in his own book that he sought out the Marxist professors and students when he was in college. He also started his political career with the help of Bill Ayers, who had a known past as a leftist radical bomb thrower (literally) with the Weather Underground, who had a big grudge against the "establishment". Sorry, but facts are facts.

When Obama said he wanted to "transform" America, he wasn't kidding! But is this the transformation we needed, or even expected or wanted from him? There were quite a few prior disconcerting hints (a couple stated in the previous paragraph above) that seemed to go unnoticed by many who voted for him. Maybe some knew, but it didn't matter to them. They were just tired of eight years of Bush and they thought this new "transformation" with hope and change that Obama spoke of would be great. He took advantage of this, especially when our country was in such a vulnerable state with the economy, and they "couldn't let a crisis go to waste" (Rahm Emmanuel quote). They knew the masses would be primed to look towards the government for "solutions" to all of their problems.

Many U.S. veterans fought against oppressive dictators and communist regimes overseas in the past, so the last thing many wanted to see is that form of government slowly taking root in this country. That's why we've seen all the Tea Party protests, which some claim are without merit....plus, these people are so darn threatening! They're all so crazy! If only I had a dime for every time I heard that said. But are they crazy?

The leftist mission is that they must demean and discredit them. That's a Saul Alinsky "Rules for Radicals" technique. Anyone who has an opposing view must be silenced! So much for the freedom of speech our soldiers fought and died for.

History has also shown us that these socialistic forms of governing and managing the masses has not worked. Capitalism isn't perfect, but it still gives the average person the best chance at the opportunity to lift themselves up and out of poverty, if they are so inclined to do so. Otherwise, the other alternative is that they can become dependent on the nanny state which will then "distribute" what they deem is the proper food, housing and healthcare for everyone who chooses to go that route. The Dems will keep handing out all these "goodies", thereby guaranteeing their votes, which they believe will keep them in power....that is, until all the ones who provide the money to pay for all of this are gone, and our country is bankrupt. Is that too uncivil to say?

If we're going to turn this around, we're all going to have to make some sacrifices. Unfortunately, the reality is that it probably will get worse, before it gets better. But no pain, no gain.

I personally believe the housing market will not improve until the jobs start to come back. And what the government should be doing is tightening their belt, like the rest of us have had to do. Also, they need to establish a much more stable environment for businesses, to make it possible so they can flourish here (not overseas) and then begin hiring again.

As it has in the past, capitalism, the independent free market, and conservative values and principles will eventually get our country back on track, not more liberal taxing and spending on ever-expanding socialist programs that create more dependence on government.

And don't forget this very important distinction....Social Security and Medicare were and are paid into by the ones receiving it. They are owed that promised benefit, which the government has unfortunately raided over the years. The other government "safety net" programs like unemployment, food stamps, rent subsidies, welfare and Medicaid are NOT paid into by the ones receiving them. It's paid for by the businesses and their workers.

So what do we want to teach our children and grandchildren?

Dependence or Independence?

We, the people, have to make that call.

Old Love Letters - Chap. 6

(The one thing I was hoping for was that one of these letters would have a photo of "Tom" in it.  This letter I'm posting next did include several photos of the different aircraft on the base he was serving.  He is in some of the planes, but the pictures were taken from so far away that you can barely see him.)

July 24, 1945

Dearest Marge,

I'm so tired tonight I could sleep forever.  Just had a seventeen hour mission and ran into a little trouble, so had to work like fury for the last four hours, and we just did make it back.  Being a little bit new on this type of ship, I had to learn the hard way, but I sure learned plenty today.  As soon as I finish this I'm going to sleep for twenty-four hours without stopping.

I'm sure glad you got your wings and like them, and hope you wear them always.  I'm in the process of making you a bracelet in my spare time, and I hope you like it as well.  Of course it won't be very nice, but I like to make things like that, and even if you don't wear it, you can keep it for a souvenir.

I went downtown and had my picture taken last Sunday, so if it is good I will send you one, if you want it.  And I have all of my ribbons on too.  I've been awarded another cluster to my O.F.C. so that makes the third one for it.  But I wish they would give me something with a little more money with it.  Boy, I'm always broke.  Not that there is anything to spend it on here, or any place to go down here.  This is the dullest place you ever saw.  Just our movie house shows all second run movies at that.  I went to the N.C.O. club house on the base Saturday night and had a few beers and they had a fair floor show, so had a pretty good time.  I sure wish you could have been here with me.  I know we could have had fun.

But I still say that flying isn't glamorous, because if you had been with me on this last trip, and could have seen the way the crew had to work, you would change your mind.  Of course when we are up there with nothing to do but watch the clouds go by like lovely ladies in trailing white veils, and see the stars shining like your eyes do when you see something pretty, and the earth is a dark green, spotted with lakes like diamonds on a cloth, and the song of the engines give you a sense of security and power.  You feel that there is nothing but your own little world and no trouble anywhere.  It's times like that, that I think of you and I feel that I want nothing more.  Sometime I'm going to take you up on a moonlit night and see if you can understand something of how I feel about you.  For I love you more than I love to fly, and up till now I've loved flying more than anything else in the world.  When I watch the stars up there I seem to think that you are watching me, and it gives me the feeling that nothing is impossible.

I've taken some pictures of a few of the different ships here on the field and am sending you a copy so you will know what they are like, and I hope you like them.  I am in some of them but you can't tell who it is for sure, but you may remember what I look like.  Do you?  Say, do you ever get the chance to get Kodak film?  If you can find some size 620, I will send you lots of pictures, for I always have my camera with me, and like to take pictures of places and things. I have an album full I would like to show you some day, and all of these are of places I've been, both here and overseas.  I wish you would send me your picture, even if it's just a snapshot.  Will you?

Well Darling, I must hit the sack, so I hope you write soon.  And as always,

I Love You,

Tom

July 28, 1945

Dearest Marge,

Things have settled into a nice routine now so I'm beginning to have a little more leisure time, and am catching up on lost sleep.  But it's so hot that you're never comfortable, and I can never quite get used to it.  Maybe I will some day.

Yes, Donnie is doing fine and hopes to be at home in another month.  It's wonderful what being near home does for him.  Mother says he is gaining weight and looks very good.  I'm very glad you've heard from your brother, although he is in a rather rough place. 

As for sending him candy and things like that, if you can buy it in sealed jars or cans to send very well packed, it will be fine, but soft candies like chocolate bars will spoil very easy, and the ants will get into it very quick.  But if you wrap the bars in a waxed paper and put in sealed tins, it will get to him in very good shape.  You say you have cans with tight tops, so wrap your candy very good and seal your lids with scotch tape, and I'm pretty sure it will be all right, especially if it is moisture proof.  The biggest trouble there is the moisture and dampness that penetrates everything and causes mold, so the best I can tell you is try to pack it so it will stay dry and not melt and run together, and then it is just a chance at the best.  But I know he will appreciate all the candy and gum and nuts that he can get.  And don't forget razor blades, shaving cream and after shave lotions or face powder.  And don't forget a kiss or two, just to let him know that you always think of him.

I like the way you've answered the question I asked you, and if it is possible I will go to Chicago as soon as it is possible, and I hope you will let me meet your people and get better acquainted with you, and show you that I am sincere, and that I know in my heart that I love you.  I know that it came to me so quick that I didn't think it could possibly be true, but now I'm sure that it is, and all I can ask is that you will give me the chance to see you and prove to you that I am sincere and love you with all my heart.

I'm supposed to get a furlough in November, so if I can't see you before then, I will see you at that time.  Although I'm hoping we get to make a trip up there soon and see you.

I hope I can get Bill to arrange a cross country flight and drop me off in Chicago for a few days and let me see you.  And I do hope you get some good pictures so that you can send me one.  I will have one for you in a week or so and I hope you like it.  I've already sent you a few snaps of the planes on the line, although there is none of me that you can really see.

Well it's time to eat and go to work, so will write more later.

Adios Muchacha Mio

Love, Tom

Old Love Letters - Chap. 5

Just a reminder that my own comments are in parentheses.

July 19, 1945

Marge Dear,

Just had your sweet letter and you've no idea how much I liked it.  It seems so nice to hear from you and then sit here in the barracks and read it over and over.  When I come in after flying my four hours, I am so tired and nervous, I can't sit still, but tonight your letter has made me feel so darn good that I feel like a new man and could do another day's work.

We're really getting in the groove now and I have seven students assigned to me and am with them from five in the morning till six in the evening, and have to teach them everything I know, so they can do it better that I can.  Most of them are kids from 17 to 20 years old and they learn fast, so they're not much trouble.  Only, they call me "Pop" and I don't like that very well.  I'm only 35 and am a better man physically than most of them.  Although I will admit I am pretty well beat up and am getting gray, but I'm still able to do more than my share, and do every day.  But I shouldn't care, for they do it mostly in fun.

We're still getting lots of sunshine and I wish you were here to go to the beach with me next Sunday and have a picnic lunch with Capt. Jordan and his wife, and swim in the surf.  We're trying to get a boat and surfboard so we can go way out and have fun riding the big waves.  We've had a big argument as to who can ride the board the longest and have a $20 bet up (that was a pretty decent amount of money back then), so keep your fingers crossed for me. 

I seem to run into the nicest people wherever I go, and Bill is really tops.  His wife is a Chicago girl and also knows some people I know in Salt Lake City.  When we first met, Bill said it sounded like old home week.  I'd sure like to have you meet them and Bill says if we get a chance, we will fly up to Chicago and spend the weekend.  I know that I would sure like to see you, and if I do get to go, I will call you as soon as I know.  Darling, I didn't know I could ever miss anyone like I have missed you, even while I'm so busy, I can't think.  Bill is always teasing me about you and sings that song "Margie" over the intercom phone while we're flying, just to hear me yell at him.  But then I catch myself whistling or humming it myself and thinking of you.  When we're  up there and I'm watching the clouds for our "enemy" to come out, I can see your face there and you sometimes smile back at me, then I know everything is fine.  I'm not a poet, but I sometimes wish I were, so that I could tell you how I feel and some of the things I think of when I see you like that.  With all the things I have to do, you are always in my thoughts, then when I have a few moments I can just sit up there and dream.  But I guess you think I'm just a little off to tell you all the things I think, but I know that I love you, for I've never had another girl that I could get so much pleasure from just thinking about and remembering the little things you do.  I seem to remember every little thing you did while I was with you and every memory is perfect.  Darling, I never dreamed that I would ever meet you, and now that I have, I'm just hoping that you will say yes to a question I want to ask you some day.  And Darling, if you think I'm too presumptuous, and I hope you don't, I won't say any more until I can see you and you may learn more about me.  But I'm going to keep on writing to you and I hope you will continue writing to me.  Will you?  And I would like for you to tell me how you feel too.

So my Dear, I will close now for I have to get some sleep and it's getting late.

"Adios Muchacha Mio"

I Love You,

Tom

P.S.  Please write more often if you can.  Have you received your wings yet?

(Since my blog's theme is about God, Family and Country, I think these letters of his combine it all.  I thought it was rather funny when he mentioned in one of his previous letters that he was going to the Catholic services, and thought their sermons were better than the Protestant ones.  That may have been true, but he might also have had an ulterior motive by saying that.  That is, he might just have been trying to score some points with my Mom, since she may have mentioned to him that she was Catholic. 
Also, they both spoke of their families, the importance of them, and the concern they had for their loved ones.  You can certainly count personal relationships as being linked to family also.  And, obviously, they both loved their country, and his service represented that.  He will have some more interesting thoughts on that, in future letters I post.  He also comments in a future letter that my Mom did some work with the Red Cross, which I didn't know about either.
We've all heard of love at first sight, and this fellow certainly seemed like he had been hit with Cupid's arrow!  He's already professed his love and is also now hinting at "popping the question" the next time he sees her, and hoping her answer will be yes! 

My Mom was a sweetheart, and I'm sure the time she took to pay a little attention to this soldier, obviously left a big impression on him.  He admitted in a previous letter that he had done most of the talking during that time they had spent together.  She was a good listener and I'm sure she had some kind and compassionate things to say to him, whenever she got a word in! 

I wonder if she was shocked with what he wrote.  I assume she was already corresponding with my Dad too.  I wonder if she had told her sisters about this guy and the kind of letters he'd been writing to her.  They're both deceased now, so I can't ask them.  All I know is, she never told me about this other fellow.  What I do know is, I'm enjoying every letter....and I'm writing them down as written, even though he seems to have a lot of long, run-on sentences.  He sometimes gets a bit repetitious too.  I must admit I have added commas, just to break it up and add the necessary pauses between his thoughts, though.

Well, I'm only posting this one tonight, because it's one of his longer ones.  Plus, I've added some of my own commentary too.  Hope you're enjoying them as much as I am.) 

Old Love Letters - Chap. 4

July 14, 1945

Dearest Marge,

So I've had my first letter from you and sure enjoyed it.  Of course, you would have to go back to work, we all do, but vacations are nice, till they end.  And being in Chicago was a vacation for me and meeting you was the nicest thing that could have happened to me.

But I'm back in the old groove again and sure feel good for I'm flying again and is sure feels good to be in the air again.  You spoke of me gaining weight and I have, for my exam last week I weighed 162 lbs and was sure supervised, for when I left here for Chicago I only weighed 154 lbs, so that's doing pretty good.  And I know that you have brought me good luck for I would never have made the grade, except for you.  Of course, I enjoy doing my work and as we have all the new stuff to work with, it is really a pleasure.  I would volunteer for overseas service again if I thought I could get to go, but I know they wouldn't let me, for they say I'm doing more important work here.  I hope you don't mind me telling you about the things I do, but I do believe that I help a little in my small capacity and am rather proud that I can still do something.

Two months ago I thought I was all washed up and would be driving a truck for the duration, but then I met you and I've sure had good luck ever since.

I'm sorry to hear that your brother has to go overseas again.  I wish that I could take his place.  And my brother Donnie is doing fine in Denver and Mother is staying with him.  She says he is very cheerful, although was a lot worse than they let her know.  He must have been pretty bad, for they flew him back from the Netherland Dutch East Indies and really rushed him home.  Mother says he will be home in six weeks or two months and I'm sure glad.  Although he will never take an active part in the ranch again, it will sure be good to have him at home.

Darling, I hope you don't mind me telling you all about my folks, and if you do, just let me know and I will find something else to say.  Just as long as you will let me write you.

I sit around in the evenings and study and when I get tired of that I like to write letters, and even if they don't make good sense, sometimes it helps pass the time away.  I'm studying quite a bit and trying to improve my use of the king's english, but think it is sort of hopeless because I've lived on a ranch all of my life and missed most of my schooling.  So if I make a mistake now and then, I hope you will overlook them and know that I mean well.

Do you remember me telling you about Wanda, the girl I was almost engaged to?  I had a letter, or rather a note from her today, and she has married a marine from California.  I thought she would when I was at home the last time, but didn't say anything for I never like to borrow trouble.  So that is really a load off my mind.  At least I feel better now for I sometimes wondered if she was the right person, and now I know she wasn't, but I know who the right one is, if I can only find some way of telling her.  Of course, she doesn't know me very well, but I'm hoping to see her again soon, and maybe she can help me a little.  I hope so.  

But now it is getting late and I want to get up early in the morning and go to church, and I think it will be the Catholic services, for we have a wonderful chaplain there and I seem to get more from his messages than I do from the Protestant services here.

So my Dear, I hope I haven't bored you with my long letter and I do hope you write soon.  And please don't say good bye in your next letter, just....

Adios My Dear,

Tom 

July 19, 1945

Dearest Marge,

I've just got back from a nice trip and although I'm sort of tired, I'm feeling fine and happy.  I've been to Denver, Colorado and got to spend all day with Mother and brother Donnie.  The way it happened, I was talking to Col. Jordan, our pilot on the ship I'm assigned to, and told him about Donnie and he asked why I didn't go see him.  Well I told him why, and then forgot about it, but then he called me to the line (?) on Monday morning at 3a.m. and told me to check the ship for a cross country trip and have it ready by 5a.m.  I never gave it a thought and was ready on time and took off at 5:30a.m.  Everything went well and we landed in Denver at 4:40p.m. that evening and he said, "If you're going to see that brother of yours, you had better go and I don't want to see you till Wednesday morning at eight, so scat".  Boy, it didn't take me long to scat either.   I called Mother at the hotel and grabbed a cab and went to the hotel and then to the hospital.  Was I ever glad to see them.  We sure had a good visit, even if I didn't have any clothes with me.  Just my coveralls and not even a razor to shave with.

But enough about me.  What about you?  What are you doing now?  I've not had another letter from you and I'm just a little disappointed.  And how is Chicago?  I sure would like to be there and see you.  Maybe we could walk in the park again.  Quein Sabe?

Have you heard from your brother again?  I do hope he is O.K. and doesn't have to stay over there very long.

I've been hoping I would hear from you and that you would enclose a snapshot or small picture of you so that I might carry it in my billfold, and have something more to remind me of you than just the memories of walking through the park and talking to you.  Or maybe you think that I am asking too much.  Am I?  If I am, I'm sorry, but I think of you so much and wonder why I couldn't have met you long ago and have known you a lot better than just those few hours we spent together.  

I had a good talk with Mother about you and she thinks it would be fine if you could visit us this fall.  And she also told me about some other things that happened at home while I was away, so now I'm completely free and have no ties, except for the family and the ranch.

This is what I'm trying to say, and I know that it is not the way to say it, but in the few hours we were together, I learned to love you.  I wanted to tell you when I called you that last day, but was afraid, for I know it was much too soon, as it is now, and I'm using very poor taste to tell you in this way.  But my Darling, I can't wait any longer to tell you and I hope you don't mind too much, the crude way I've said I love you.  It seems that it has always been you that I've looked for and dreamed of, and as soon as I saw you, and while sitting on the steps that afternoon, I wanted to tell you.  I don't know what you will say, but I'm just going to hope for the right thing to happen.  If there is any way that I can see you in the near future, I'm going to get up there and see you, if you will let me.  And Darling, as little as I have to offer, I love you and hope you will let me see or hear from you soon.  With my hopes in the sky and you, I love you.

Tom

P.S.  Write as soon as you can   

                                           Please  

Old Love Letters - Chap. 3

July 11, 1945

Dearest Marge,

I hope you don't mind me writing to you so much, but since I've met you I can't seem to think of anything else, so I'm hoping I don't bore you. 

Yesterday I went up for a physical exam to see if I was fit to fly again and passed with a good margin, so today I'm starting to take a refresher course in Gunnery and will be going to school for a couple of weeks.  So I'm writing this in the classroom, for the stuff we're getting today is all about how to care for our guns.  Being used to caring for them, I'm not studying very hard, so I have plenty of time.

We went up for awhile this morning and it was my first flight in a B-29, so I really looked the ship over and learned a lot.  Tomorrow we're to make an altitude test flight to see how far up we can stand to go without oxygen, then test our reflex actions against a simulated attack.  So it's just like training all over again, only what I learn here I will pass on and teach to the kids that are really going.  It's lots of fun to be going through it all again and when I feel the kick of the 50's it makes me think of the days when we played for keeps.  Although we know this is just practice, it sure looks like the real thing.

I wish you could be here and see some of the wonderful ships (aircraft) we have.  The one I am assigned to is a new one just from the factory with all of the latest features and it flies like a dream.  They have a new system of training now that is really good.  They have P-47's to use to "attack" us and we fire on them with frangible ammunition that flies apart on contact and is harmless against armour plate.  Each hit is registered in the cockpit of the 47 so that we may know just how many hits are made with so many rounds spent.  It's so much like actual combat that sometimes it looks as though it were.  But I don't suppose you're very interested in all of this, and if I do bore you, just tell me to quit writing and  I will.  But I like to think that you are interested and will let me keep writing even though my letters are dull.

I would like to hear from you as often as you can write and will promise to answer every one.  I will never forget those two glorious days we had together and have hopes of seeing you again some day.

Mother wrote to say that Brother Donnie was improving and that Brother Louie had gone back to the ranch and that everything was fine at home and that she was expecting me home for Thanksgiving.  I only hope that I can make it.

So Darling, I will close now and will hope to hear from you soon.  I hope your sunburn is all right now.  Please write soon, for I really want to hear from you.

With love,

Tom

July 12, 1945

Hi Darling,

It's been a pretty rugged day so far, as we went up this morning at 5a.m. and flew till 11a.m. and sure got up high, but this afternoon we're sitting here in the classroom sweltering in the heat and trying to soak up a little knowledge.  But that's kind of hard for I'm sleepy after getting up at 3a.m. this morning.  I guess that I'm going to make the grade though, for tomorrow I'm to take my exams, so keep your fingers crossed for me.  I'm still a little dizzy from going up so high this morning, so if you can read this, you're doing good.

It's started to rain so it's a little cooler now, but has sure been hot.  How's your sunburn?  I hope it's better now. 

Oh yes honey, I sent your wings and I do hope you like them.  They are smaller than mine but are exactly like them every other way.  You know you promised to wear them, so I hope you do, and when I see you again, I would like to give you something more than just a pair of wings.  Would you mind?  Do you know that I keep thinking of you all of the time and I can't keep my mind on my studies, for your face comes between me and my books, and I find myself daydreaming, and although it's very nice, I do have to study some.  Honey, you probably think that I'm "ticked in the haid" (I'm not sure if I could make out his handwriting on this or have the words right but it appears he's trying to say something like he's crazy.  He continues....), but I can't get you off my mind, and I'm not sure that I want to at all.  I just keep remembering that day in the park when we sat there on the grass and talked, and you were so nice and let me ramble on and on.  But maybe it was just a nice dream after all.  Was it?  I'll just keep on dreaming anyway if you don't mind, for you're the first really nice thing that has happened to me for a long time.

Of course, you can tell me to quit writing to you, but you can't take back the nice things you did to me and I will always remember them and you.  So I hope you don't mind too much, for I really want to hear from you.  You will write, won't you?

I will say good night now and will keep looking for a letter from you and hope it has a picture of you in it.

(Then he signs off in Spanish.  I will try to copy and type it, but I'm still getting used to his penmanship.)

Hasta Linguia La Monana

Querido Mio  (?)

Love,

Tom

(So he's sent letters to my Mom on July 7,8,9,11 & the 12th so far and it appears she hasn't written him back yet....but there's more to come!  Stay tuned!)