Mrs. McGruffy stood outside on her sun drenched lawn hanging laundry out on a line that ran from the house to an oak tree across the yard. She had a small radio on the back porch steps that was playing the latest country hits and a large, wicker basket on the ground full of newly washed towels. She kept hanging and hanging the cold, wet towels on the laundry line until the basket was near empty. She stopped when a small, black car pulled into her driveway and a tall, heavily built, black man in a soldier’s uniform stepped out.

He walked towards her in the usual marine core stride and didn’t utter a sound until he was face to face with her.

“Mrs. McGruffy?” She nodded. He held out a small letter for her to take.

“I’m sorry.” She took the letter and tore threw the envelope. The letter was from the United States Marine Core.

“Dear Mrs. McGruffy,

We regret to inform you that your husband Charles McGruffy was killed on June 5th when a mine destroyed the hummer he was driving. His personal affects shall be shipped to you immediately.

With Deepest Sympathy,

United States Marine Core.”

Mrs. McGruffy fell on her knees and began to cry heavily. The soldier kneeled down and put his hand on her shoulder.

“Mam your husband was a fine man, and he loved you very much.” The soldier reached into his coat pocket and pulled out another letter.

“Did you know him?” She asked.

“No mam, but he did.” He handed her the letter and she opened it up.

“Dear Mrs. McGruffy,

My name is Walter Smith, and I was in your husband’ brigade.

Charlie made some pretty amazing changes in my life during our time together. He saved my life many times and whenever he got a letter from someone back in the states he would give it to me saying that you had given him enough encouragement in the letters you had sent. Those letters were just one of the many ways Charlie kept me alive during that time. He began to teach me about Christ and the void that he fills inside our hearts like nothing else can. My hard headedness wanted nothing to do with fairytales; but that didn’t stop Charlie from trying. Everyday he prayed before each meal and before he went to bed and even during the transport rides to the different camps and towns we went to. When I finally asked him about it I had never seen him more excited. He showed me the Bible for the first time and I braced myself for the worst. But that’s not what I found. Instead I found a ray of hope and peace despite the situations we faced. I asked Charlie why he served Christ so passionately and he said,

‘Christ went through much more then we can imagine, and even though I look like I’m doing a lot, it’s such a small gift compared to the gift he gave us.’

Last month I accepted Christ as my personal lord and savior and I have found a peace I never thought possible. Charlie and I took separate hummers the day he died. I never told anybody this, but I was supposed to go with the hummer he was with. He wanted a chance to witness to those soldiers so I agreed and let him take it. There hasn’t been a second that goes by that I don’t regret that choice.

I am coming home for the Fourth of July and getting married to my fiancée. Charlie told me about the small town he lived in. I was wondering if there were any houses for sale.

Yours Truly,

Walter Smith.”

Mrs. McGruffy wiped her tears as she closed the letter.

“I’m proud of you Charlie.” She said as she stood up and went back inside the house. She began writing Walter Smith as she fought back tears when she saw a fancy car pull up in her neighbor’s yard and putting out a sign. A For Sale sign. She smiled and wiped another tear from her eye.

“Thank you Lord.”

Copyright Jacob Willoughby