One of the greatest things in this world is love, right? This is why we love hearing stories about how couples met and why they “knew.” As a soon to be married, I want to know everything about our family history. I want to know more about the grandma who passed away before I could ask these questions that bubble up constantly.
Although raised as poor as can be, she managed to go to Idaho State and become valedictorian of her class during the Great Depression. When I asked my dad how she could afford to do that, he said she worked as the “help” in my grandpa’s family’s boarding house. This led to how she met Grandpa. I was overjoyed to learn this little tidbit of Grandma and Grandpa’s history, but it made me a little sad. I wish she was still around to answer these questions. When I was younger, she was just “Grandma - the one who buys us ding dongs and makes us play the piano.” I can’t help but feel that I am missing out.
Still, when I start feeling melancholy about what could have been, I pick up “Love Stories of World War II,” compiled by Larry King.
I can read this book over and over. There are pictures and letters and stories that make your heart swell. Sure, not all of the couples had happy endings, but all of them are fascinating. For instance, a couple drove all night to a bordering state to find someone to marry them quick, before he was deployed. And a fiance picked up yards of beautiful shimmery material to make his future wife’s gown while he was overseas.
The stories go on, about events leading to how they met, to intricate ways they were kept apart, but managed to stay together. I recommend this book to all who have a romantic side, or just want to hear some happy endings.
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3 Responses to “Read Me”
I think I am going to have to get this book. My grandmother recently passed away so I can relate to you about wishing you had taken the time to get to know her better. Thanks for book suggestion.
That is so romantic. I know how you feel about your grandmother. I felt the same way after she passed 3 years ago. I made it a point to ask my grandfather about it when he came to the US to visit last year. He said, my Gma (like many people in China back then) was a “working woman” aka poor and had to work to help her family versus the richer girls who got married asap. She had to move away from home in order to find work. She rented a room from my great grandmother. My Great gma liked her alot and that’s where she met my Gpa and they got married. Mr. SP’s gma loves telling her story. They met before the war but her father wouldn’t let her get married unless gpa came back from war. She said she worked in a sweatshop to save up and went to church everyday to pray for his safe return. When we came back, they were married. It’s so sweet, it makes me tear everytime!
Mrs. Kiwi, Los Angeles
Age and Occupation in 06: 27, Bookkeeper
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 27, P.E. Teach/Coach @ private schools in LA
Engagement Date: March 31, 2006
Wedding Date: November 3, 2007
Venue: Radisson Hotel
About Me: I'm a bookkeeper who failed high school algebra. I'm currently living in Los Angeles, literally a street over from where I grew up with Mr. Kiwi, my honey of three years. We have a jumbo mini-dachshund (seriously, he's huuuuge), and we're planning an autumn themed wedding on a shoestring, paid for by ourselves. The wedding date is my late grandma's birthday, I needed her there somehow, and that seemed like the best way for us. I can't believe I'm a Bee! I couldn't be more proud!
i bought this book a long time ago and have read it many many times since. i just love the stories and imagining what it must have been like.