Written for Sammi’s Weekend Writing Prompt #394
incorporating the word “berate” in exactly 90 words.
I have also used one of the awesome images by Kevin
at No Theme Thursday. In 90 words, this is my story.
“I wonder what my sweet Mary is doing tonight. Oh, how I miss her! I never dreamed war would be like this, death and fear my constant companions. I enlisted because Mary’s father said I wasn’t a man worthy of his daughter …. that I wasn’t strong or capable of caring for her. He would berate me day after day in front of Mary and I started seeing the disappointed look in her eyes when I didn’t stand up for myself. I just want to be home for Christmas with Mary.“
NAR©2024
90 Words
This is “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” by Bing Crosby
All text, graphics and videos are copyright for Nancy ~ The Sicilian Storyteller, Nancy (The Sicilian Storyteller), The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk, and The Rhythm Section and are not to be used without permission. NAR©2017-present.
The Elephant's Trunk 
Outstanding, Nancy! Excellently written, and something a lot of fellas can probably relate to in one way or another.
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Sincere thanks, Kevin. This graphic was so inspiring, it touched my heart. When I was much younger, I acquired a penpal through my school …. a soldier in Vietnam. We corresponded for more than a year; that time will always be a special memory for me. I’m so glad you enjoyed my story.
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I remember being on a plane heading over to the the Persian Gulf on New Years Eve after spending Christmas on a base with no family or friends around. It was definitely an odd feeling to say the least.
This one resonates on many levels.
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Beautiful 💜🤗🤗
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Thanks, Sis! 🩶🩶
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A touching tale, Nancy. I really like your musical accompaniment too.
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Thanks, dear Keith. It felt right.
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Fond and foolish bravery. So sad that the real enemy was right at home! Or was he an enemy?
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Perhaps my soldier boy was his own worst enemy.
Thanks, Liz!
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To get to the heart of it…💔
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Oh, so many places the mind doth go.
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So true! My heart breaks for all the military men and women who are alone during the holidays and thinking about home. It must be so tough.
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❤️💕❤️
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A lovely story, which no doubt is very relatable to so many.
And well done on finding the snow!
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Sadly, you’re right.
Yes, your tips made it very easy. Thanks, Clive.
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A very moving story Nancy. 😍
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Thank you, Sadje. It must be extremely difficult for young soldiers away from their families during the holidays.
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Very true my friend 👍🏼
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Bing Crosby singing “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” was released the year of my birth. I associate it with scratchy 78 rpm records and tattered Life magazines containing photographs such as those in your post. For me, it is a melancholy song about something that never happens.
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Yes, a wistful, wishful dream with no chance of fruition. It’s a nostalgic piece, melancholy for sure.
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