Memorial Day and Marriage

I wanted to write a blog that was uplifting and positive today. I had chosen to write on the general theme of marriage and was pondering what specifically to write about. Of course this is Memorial Day Sunday and thoughts were turned to that too as I sat in church today, saying my prayers, and thanking those who are serving, have served, and who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

Later I remembered a beautiful letter a Civil War soldier wrote to his wife as he waited to go to battle. Memorial Day has its beginnings with honoring the fallen from that war. I thought it fitting to include here a part of that letter. Below the letter are 2 links- this portion of the letter which became famous  when used in a Civil War documentary, and the other link which contains the full letter.

July 14,1861
Camp Clark, Washington DC
Dear Sarah:
The indications are very strong that we shall move in a few days - perhaps tomorrow. And lest I should not be able to write you again I feel impelled to write a few lines that may fall under your eye when I am no more.
 
I have no misgivings about, or lack of confidence in the cause in which I am engaged, and my courage does not halt or falter. I know how American Civilization now leans upon the triumph of the government and how great a debt we owe to those who went before us through the blood and suffering of the Revolution. And I am willing - perfectly willing - to lay down all my joys in this life, to help maintain this government, and to pay that debt.
 
Sarah, my love for you is deathless, it seems to bind me with mighty cables that nothing but omnipotence can break; and yet my love of Country comes over me like a strong wind and bears me irresistibly with all those chains to the battlefield. The memory of all the blissful moments I have enjoyed with you come crowding over me, and I feel most deeply grateful to God and you, that I have enjoyed them for so long. And how hard it is for me to give them up and burn to ashes the hopes and future years, when, God willing, we might still have lived and loved together, and see our boys grown up to honorable manhood around us.
If I do not return, my dear Sarah, never forget how much I loved you, nor that when my last breath escapes me on the battle field, it will whisper your name...
Forgive my many faults, and the many pains I have caused you. How thoughtless, how foolish I have sometimes been!...
 
But, 0 Sarah, if the dead can come back to this earth and flit unseen around those they love, I shall always be with you, in the brightest day and in the darkest night... always, always. And when the soft breeze fans your cheek, it shall be my breath, or the cool air your throbbing temple, it shall be my spirit passing by.
 
Sarah do not mourn me dead; think I am gone and wait for me, for we shall meet again...

http://www.jayandmolly.com/ballouletter.shtml
http://www.civilwardads.com/CivilWarArchives/SullivanBallou.htm