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The following is a college theme I wrote
on June 24, 1946.
My last furlough at home was somewhat dampened
by the thought of boarding the train and the last sad farewells.
While waiting for the train, those last minutes seemed like hours.
I didn't want to say goodbye and the torture of those last minutes
urged me to get on my way. It was hard to say a last goodbye
to the folks. I could read their minds and knew what there were
thinking, "Will we see him again?"
When the train came roaring around the bend,
it seemed as if a big monster were coming toward me, preparing
to grasp me and carry me away. As it slowed down, the noise of
the engine and the hustle and bustle of many other people also
bidding their loved ones a last farewell, drowned out the sound
of sobbing, but did not obliterate the tears. As I bade a weak
farewell to those I loved, I boarded the train, knowing that
with each turn of the huge wheels it was taking me farther and
farther away from home. As I stood watching the figures of my
folks until I could see them no more, I breathed a sigh of relief
that this ordeal was over.
A typical scene at the railroad station during
World War II.
The whole relationship would turn out to say
goodbye.
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