A historical story by: Kayla Price Michelle Belford Catrina Hyvarinen Danielle Dashko

 During the 1920’s, the world carried on in it’s business, going from day to day in bliss. However, the world was in a much greater crisis than could be imagined. In Germany, atrocities were occurring, a mad dictator rose to power, and war was on the horizon. Our story, however, is not about the horror that was World War 2. Our story is about a soldier who had just been drafted and his wife who was left behind…

 During the war, young men were drafted on a daily basis, being forced to leave behind their homes and their families with the almost certainty that they would not return. And so with a heavy heart, Patrick was forced to leave behind his newly started family and fight for his country.

 Leaving his family was the hardest thing Patrick had ever had to endure. But it hurt his wife Claire as much as it had hurt him. She couldn’t stand the thought of losing her husband to the war. And what was worse was that she had just found out that she was pregnant.

 Finally, Claire decided to tell Patrick about their unborn child. They already had a four year old son, who was eagerly awaiting a new baby brother or sister.  Meanwhile, Patrick awaited the arrival of letters that would soon find their way to him. He had already sent several letters home, informing his family of the situation and letting them know how much he missed them.

 Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the letters from home had finally arrived in Germany, igniting a flame of excitement in Patrick’s heart. As he read of how Claire and Isaac had been missing him, he read that his wife was with child. Patrick felt a blend of emotions rush through him. He was excited and joyous, yet worried and anxious. If he died on the field, two children would have to grow up without their father. He was also scared because Claire would have to deliver the baby without him.

 Back home, Patrick’s letters arrive. He wrote that so far he was safe and was unneeded at the time, but would go into active duty very soon. Claire cried as she read the letters and thought of the baby that would soon arrive. She had found out that the baby would be a girl and had decided to name her Lillian.

 During the night, Claire was rushed to the hospital as she was going into labor. A day earlier, Patrick had arrived home, and could be with his wife for the birth of their new daughter.  After a long wait, Lillian Elizabeth Cruz was born. The baby would grow up being told stories of being born at the end of World War 2.