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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Pen and Paper (07/17/14)
March 21 1916
Dear Ethel,

We've landed. There's not a lot I can tell you. Some things are hush hush. But I'm safe and I'm missing you a lot. As I hang around here in the trenches I remember walking down by the creek with you. It's a good memory ...

Yours sincerely,
Tom


April 15
Dear Tom,

It made my day when your letter arrived. I was so excited that I dropped everything. Not literally of course! Mum wouldn't put up with a pile of broken cups right now! I'm so glad that you're alright.

The days are getting shorter now but, because of the rationing, we have to go easy on the candles and the coal for the fire. So I'm often in bed by eight thirty. At least it's warm there.

And we can't get some of our usual food. But, what am I talking about! Here I am with lots of comforts and you're out there doing the hard yards for us ...

Fond regards,
Ethel


May 10
Dearest Tom,

I haven't heard from you for ages. I tell myself that it's just the slow mail of the war, but I do fret a bit, I admit. I know you're getting on OK but I would so much like to see an envelope with your writing on it in the letterbox. I think about you all the time and I'm so looking forward to when you come back.

I'm helping Mum in the garden a lot and we've managed to keep ourselves in vegetables. Sometimes a man comes around selling rabbits. I never fancied rabbit before the war, but it's meat. Mum and I are working out lots of rabbit recipes.

Rose had her baby so I'm an aunty now. It's a little girl. I wish you could see the dear little thing ...

With fondest regards,
Ethel


June 3
Dear Ethel,

Yesterday was a red letter day here. The mail arrived at dinner time and dinner had to wait. Everyone grabbed their mail and stopped everything to read it. I got five letters. There was Mum's, Fred's, and, best of all, two from you. And guess which ones I read first! Yours of course. The second one had caught up with the first. It was so good to hear your news. I think I could smell your perfume on the paper too.

I'm still alright but things have been pretty bad round here. My good mate, Ron, copped some shrapnel in his leg and things aren't looking good for that leg. I've had a bout of diarrhoea and that's no fun out here.

But things started looking up as soon as those letter from you arrived. I'm glad that you're keeping busy but I hope not too busy ...

Affectionately yours,
Tom


June 29
My Dear, Dear Tom,

I was nearly beside myself when nothing had come from you for so long. But when I got your letter I did a jig right there at the letterbox. Syd Rollins was going past and he just stared, and then burst out laughing. But I didn't care.

Winter's set in with a vengeance and we're all rugging up with our woollies. I guess it's Summer over there, though I can't imagine warm weather right now.

I'm so sorry to hear about Ron's leg. I hope he's much better now. I hope you are keeping well too and there's been no more of the runs ...

With loving kisses,
Ethel


July 9
My Dearest Tom, …


July 16
My Dear, Dear Tom, …


July 20
My Dearest Tom, ….

I still haven't heard from you since your letter of June 3. Are you alright? I am so worried that I've heard nothing. I know it's a war and all that, but I so much want to know that you're OK. Please write soon ...


August 14
My Darling Ethel,

Thank you for the three letters. They all arrived at once but that made them all the sweeter. The mail is so terribly slow and I was desperate to see your beautiful handwriting again.

It's stinking hot here and the place really smells as well. There have been a lot of casualties too. No-one that you know my dear one ...

Will you please be my girl, and wait for me, darling Ethel.

With deepest love,
Your own Tom.


January 16 1918
Tom Lawson, will you take this woman, Ethel Mitchell, to be your lawful wedded wife ...
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This article has been read 690 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Charla Diehl
07/25/14
How real this feels to the reader. So many young men and women stayed connected through letters, especially in war times. Words on paper became lifelines to many. So glad this ended on a happy note.
C D Swanson 
07/26/14
Awww. This was a sweet and poignant read. Well done!

God bless~
Danielle King 
07/27/14
Aw, I love a happy ending. I liked the style of your entry and the bit of nail biting in the middle when the letters were delayed. A sweet tale of long distance romance in WW1. And possibly a true story for some.
Jennifer Liang 
07/27/14
Hi,
I liked this story and the happy ending. It felt real even down to the describing of seasons.
I felt though that exclamation points may have been used a little too often.
Blessings,
Jennifer
Laury Hubrich 
07/27/14
The world was a very big place. So much has changed since then but the power of the written word never changes. Loved this piece:)
Glynis Becker
07/27/14
Great job. I loved the way the letters felt real. And I always want the happy ending, so thank you!
Bea Edwards 
07/30/14
Nicely executed idea. Precious and heartwarming interactions between your two MC's ended well.