“I’ll be home for Christmas”
The song was written was played endlessly in 1943 as our war weary soldiers looked forward to coming home. Today, we still have soldiers in all parts of the world who, like those of WWII, also look forward to coming home.
In 1943, 76 years ago, life was simpler. We didn’t have TV’s nor microwaves, most households only had one car, there were few divorces, Mom’s were the glue that held families together while they raised their children, churches and religious beliefs were important, political leaders seemed to be more concerned about our country than themselves, and on and on. Thousands and thousands of people had never traveled more than a couple of hundred miles from where they grew up and where most of the members of their families had and continued to live. Yes, life was simpler.
Today, we – those raised in the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s – enjoy a multitude of “things” undreamed of “back in th’ day”. Among those is our ability to instantly communicate with others worldwide, to easily drive long distances, to easily and quickly fly most anywhere, to think little of relocating to get a job, and on and on. Sadly, I for one am only left with cherished memories of a place of my roots ….. of what I so fondly recall as “home”, mom and dad, of a place and time which now exists only in my mind. I truly miss that place, my home, a place I looked forward to coming back to. Maybe I’m feeling melancholy or just feeling sorry for myself, but I don’t have a home anymore. For me, home, like the simpler times, has passed away.
Christmas always brings back memories of growing up, of having a ….. a home. Whenever I hear the song, “I’ll be home for Christmas”, it brings tears to my eyes.