It was was January 29, 1942 and I knew the war was getting bad. All the posters basically begging for men to join was hard to ignore. I, however, was 47 years old with a wife and 3 kids at home. I had no intention on joining. I had always been a businessman and a family man. I never really had many late nights. I was home for dinner and recitals. I loved my life.

That was until, the letter came. That was it, I had been drafted to be in the Second World War. How was I supposed to tell Anna? What am I going to tell my sons and daughter? What if I don’t make it? How are they going to afford to live? So many questions filled my brain.

That’s when I heard my wife “Honey, dinner’s almost ready. The boys are outside, will you holler at them?” she proclaimed as she turned the corner.

“Of course, my love.” I managed to squeeze out between the panic.

I stood up from the chair I sat in daily. As I did I dropped the letter. As it glided across the floor so gracefully, I watched my wife’s eyes follow it and watch as it stopped right in front of her like a movie.

As gracefully as always she bent over and picked it up, immediately recognizing it. I watched her beautiful blue eyes that were just filled with love, now well up into tears.

“Honey?” I managed to murmur.

“NO!” She shouted. “I do not want to hear it. You have to go.” Anna cried.

“We can not afford it!” I shouted back.

“No, it’s you going to prison that we cannot afford, James. That’s what they do if you refuse. Is that what you want?”

“Of course not.” There was a long pause before I spoke again. “I will, I am set to leave first thing Monday morning. We have until then to be together let’s make the most of it yes?” I said slowly walking up to her and grabbing her hands.

The day that I had borded the plane was February 2, 1942. I made sure I gave my family their hugs and kisses goodbye. Man am I glad I did.

Not even 2 months into battle I made and lost more friends than I ever had at home. I needed Anna more now than ever. It made me realize that could be the last hug or kiss I’ll ever get from them. And it was…. Exactly 4 months after my letter came I caught a bullet right between the ribs. I died 2 days later. They did everything they could to keep me alive with no avail. I now watch over my beautiful little family from heaven. I just hope they know I’m still here and I will always love them.