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Letters In My Casket: World War I and II
by Mary Cox-Bilz
Category: Spiritual/Religion
Description: Meet Salena Brown, an African-American soldier in WW II ... Salena's father was a WW I veteran. Both her parents are deceased, by the time she ships overseas, but the faith they taught her is strong. Sometimes God calls us to BE and Do beyond ourselves. Salena treasures her mother's letters and keeps them in a little brass casket, always near at hand. When she is especially sad, or especially angry, Selena still writes to her mother.
eBook Publisher: ebooksonthe.net, 2000
eBookwise Release Date: August 2005
 
Available eBook Formats: OEBFF Format (IMP) [36 KB]
Words: 7053
Reading time: 20-28 min.
CHAPTER 1: DISPATCH: GIFT Good morning, Mother! I discovered your box of letters in the back room. The stack you began to write when I was a baby. They were bound by years with rubber bands. Your desire for me to find them, after the death of you and daddy, was fulfilled. Memories simmered in my mind. Mother, how many times did you watch me, as a little kid, march through the house? You never spoiled my fun by telling me that black women were banned from the ranks. Instead, you and Daddy drilled in me greatness. Complaining was unwelcome. I will always remember the time Daddy got mad at me and gave me a lecture on black is not a handicap. You got so upset when he tied my two wrists together with an old shoestring and made me sit in the corner through supper. He wanted me to experience a real handicap. Every day I recall the first time this woman of color put on an Army uniform and walked into the barrack showing her minority status. Did you know that my name, Salena, means salt? I bet you did. You and Daddy never made a decision without thinking it through. "Stand up straight, Salena! Think positive and do not be arrogant or God will knock you down a peg!" These were your words. This is the truth, Mother. Though my desires often conflict, God does not permit temper tantrums. Therefore, I bite the bullet and wait for the harsh wind to blow out to sea. Mother and Daddy, thank you is not enough. You brought me into this world to make a difference. It is not my home. Your present Home is the place I hang my hat. I am merely here, as you were, to grow up in Christ. Then leave. When this earthly temple dies, your letters will be wrapped in royal blue cloth and placed in the casket beside my pillow. Thank you, Lieutenant Salena Brown
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