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This letter was written by a Roman sailor in II A.D. Many things change over hundreds of years but the love of a mother for her son and a son for his mother never change. Apollinarius to Taesis, his mother and lady, many greetings! Before all I pray for your health. I myself am well, and make supplication for you before the gods of this place. I wish you to know, mother, that I arrived in Rome in good health on the 20th of the month Pachon, and was posted to Misenum, though I have not let learned the name of my company (kenturian); for I had not gone to Misenum at the time of writing this letter. I beg you then, mother, look after yourself and do not worry about me; for I have come to a fine place. Please write me a letter about your welfare and that of my brothers and of all your folk. And whenever I find a messenger I will write to you; never will I be slow to write. Many salutations to my brothers and Apollinarius and his children, and Karalas and his children. I salute Ptolemaeus and Ptolemais and her children and Heraclous and her children. I salute all who love you, each by name. I pray for your health. [Address:] Deliver at Karanis to Taesis, from her son Apollinarius of Misenum. June 30, 1863 My dearest Sarah, Many nights have passed since Fortune granted me license to gaze upon your sweet face. I keep your memory in my heart always as I continue the glorious fight against the failing bonds of American decency that have led the rebels to perceive a right to dissolve our sacred Union. I know you wait for me anxiously, my love, and with a heavy heart, but your chastity and virtue will be rewarded when I return and we are wed. With e’er-growing fondness, Thomas December 6, 1941 Dear Crews of the USS Arizona, California, Vestal, Nevada, Oklahoma, Neosho, Tennessee, Maryland, Avocet, and West Virginia, What could possibly go wrong? Best Wishes, President Roosevelt February 14, 1991 Dear Linda, All day and night I crouch in this foxhole, thinking of you, wondering if I will ever see you again. It gets boring as hell sometimes, but that’s when they come at you. They come at you when you least expect it. Slow at first, but gradually faster and faster. Always faster. Sometimes in a T pattern, sometimes an L. Nothing strikes more terror into a man’s heart than one of those damn Z formations. But sooner or later they all fall into place; sometimes you get lucky—they slip up and come at you in a straight line. And when they fall into place, baby, it’s like a rocket going off in my head, and everything falls away in that magic moment…everything’s clear. But it’s just a matter of time before the s*** starts piling up again. Tetris is hell. —Tony P.S. Send batteries. Letter from soldier in Iraq date unknown How can I ever really thank you Mom? As an infant you nursed me and gave me love. I couldn’t do anything for myself. I couldn’t speak, couldn’t read, and couldn’t write. I could always eat, as you would find to be true throughout my life, especially as a teen. Yet it didn’t matter what I couldn’t do as a baby because you did it all for me, knowing in good time I would get there. Mom you have always carried yourself with such class. You have always been well liked by your co-workers and subordinates at every job you’ve ever had. I want you to know you’re a wonderful mother and I’ve always known how lucky I’ve been throughout my life to have had you as my mom, especially when I look around. I never knew until I got much older that we had some really tough times. Maybe it was because you were such an amazing caregiver. Or maybe because you were a great protector and provider; but it was probably just because you loved me so much you never let me know that you were in pain. I do remember some hard times. I remember clutching ‘Teddy-John’ (my Teddy-bear) on the sidewalk, with my sister holding my hand, after we had been evicted from our apartment as a child, because we couldn’t pay rent; you were there smiling at us. For all I knew it was just a new adventure. My imaginary friend was there with me too, do you remember his name? It was ‘Robby.’ I remember you spanking me for stealing when I was 6-years-old, saying ‘if it’s not yours then don’t touch it!’ I remember you protecting me when people lashed out at me or my sister, even if we were at fault, and then us getting it worse from you for being at fault. Saying ‘you were raised better than that!’ I remember you holding me and telling me everything would be fine when I would cry or was in pain. Even as I got older and still needed your, guidance, love and touch. I remember you spanking me for stealing when I was 9-years-old, saying ‘if it’s not yours then don’t touch it!’ I remember when Dad would yell at us for something and you would give us a quick look or a wink to let us know everything would be OK, even when we were in trouble. I remember you working nights because it paid a ‘little more,’ and although you didn’t like it, you did it for us. I remember you in pain at times, crying in a separate room, and doing your best to shield me from it, but Mom I will always be there for you, so you can cry whenever you need to and all you want. I remember you spanking me for stealing when I was 12-years-old, saying again ‘if it’s not yours then don’t touch it!’ Dad spanked me that time too when he came home from work and it was a good one. I learned my lesson…. finally. If it’s not mine – then I don’t touch it. No stealing – unless it’s Lindsay’s heart ! Mom, I mainly remember the good times though! I had a great childhood filled with happy memories. Like when I stole a watch for your birthday! Just Kidding! I always had great birthdays! I always had a hug from you (or Dad) if I wanted. I was always encouraged to be more. I am more. I weigh more – thanks a lot mom! I cherish the family reunions in Hartwell as a kid, Eddie, Laurie, Christy, Aunt Jinx, Aunt Ginny, Uncle Ed, Machiko, Tinker, Grandpa, you, Taura and especially one of my heroes; my brother Cary, whom I love without bounds! Mom I remember Dad, you, me and Taura and Annie on Christmas morning, laughing, smiling and being together as a family. Every holiday was special. St. Patty’s Day before school the tablecloth would be green and I would eat my cereal with green milk. I remember the Spaghetti Open Houses when we would feed the neighborhood. Mom, you were always a good example of what a mother should be. I remember Dad teaching us to sing the ‘Mother song’ – ‘M’ is for the million things she gave me……on Mother’ s Day so we could sing it to you. But Mom, the main thing I could always count on you for was your understanding, sensitivity, and compassion. You were always there for me when I needed someone to be there, and I want you to know I will always be there for you. Happy Mothers Day Mom, I love you, Stevie, ‘Robby,’ & ‘Teddy-John’ PS – Happy Mother’s Day to Mom-O (Judy and Loretta), Mrs. Webb (s) (LBG), Taura, Mrs. Phillip’s, Mindy Horgan, Laurie P. (my cousin), all my aunts, to all my friends and extended families with Mom’s, Kenyatta, Sarah Nunan, Mrs. Baniak, all the wonderful Mothers and Wives of the 138th Fires Brigade, all the Mom’s in Lexington and the great Commonwealth of Kentucky, and of course to you Lindsay, YAMWW. Happy Mother’s Day, Love Steve |
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