Day 29 —You are at a cemetery reading gravestones. Write about one of the people you find.
"Here lies Mary Wadsworth (1908-1980). Loving mother, wife, and friend. May her soul find peace and may she always stay in our hearts."
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Mary was not ready for marriage. She was 22 and had just graduated from Vassar. Her parents were convinced that if Mary and her boyfriend Michael were not married soon, the town would begin to talk. And of course, that was unacceptable. But Mary wanted to travel, she wanted to go the places she'd only read about. She wanted to see amazing monuments and buildings all while she still had time. Except, the likelihood of that ever happening was especially slim due to the Great Depression. How could her parents want her to get married when Michael barely made a living wage?
As she thought about her future, Michael joined her. He seemed anxious.
"Yes, your mother just asked when we're getting married…again, but other than that, everything is fine."
"I'm sorry she keeps pushing you about it."
"It's quite alright. I just wish I could explain to her that I can't provide for you yet."
"What if it wasn't just you working? I think I might be able to help at the local hospital here and there."
"Are you sure? I don't want you doing anything unless you're happy about it."
Mary smiled, she was lucky to have someone like Michael. Unlike many other young men, it didn't bother him that she had gone to university or that she wanted to work. He genuinely wanted her to be happy, regardless of how it happened.
"I'm sure. It won't pay a lot, but it'll certainly help."
"Well, in that case…" He got up from the porch, turned to face her on bended knee, "Mary Anna Wadsworth, will you marry me?"
Mary laughed and nodded "Yes, yes I will."
Later that evening the two of them broke the news of their engagement to their respective families, amidst much celebration.
They got married three years later, finally having enough money, and a year after that, their daughter Elizabeth was born. Mary was absolutely delighted and Michael spoiled his little girl.
Two years later Mary gave birth to a son, William. Her mother doted on the boy and spoiled him rotten.
And in 1941, Michael got drafted into the army.
He left for training at a camp somewhere in Kansas during the early morning hours.
The next few months were spent in agony. Mary was constantly worried, what if he was sent overseas? What if something terrible happened? How would she be able to take of the children all by herself.
She needn't have worried. Michael was sent overseas, but as an engineer. He had suffered an accident during training that was serious enough to exclude him from combat, but not so detrimental as to keep him from aiding the war effort.
For the next few years they only communicated via letters and the occasional telegram. Mary and her children were beginning to wonder if the war would ever end. Just as she began to lose hope of Michael ever coming home, the news of VE Day came across the radio.
