PROMPTS

Tomorrow With You

TW: May contain a sensitive topic. Please proceed with caution.

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Dear Mama,

I am sorry that I haven't written as often as I said I would but the weather and demands of duty here is against me.

I hope this reaches you in time for your birthday though. It is very difficult for me to be writing this letter when all I ever want is to celebrate this special day with you.

Hardly a night passes that I don't dream about home where I get to eat my favorite meal cooked by you and play with my younger siblings after.

Is the weather too cold? Do you have enough firewood? Don't go out when it's snowing, Mama. You'll catch a cold. I don't like it when you are sick. It makes me worry.

Don't worry about me (although I know you will because I am your son). I am getting on nicely. I am safe with my comrades turned friends who look after me as if I am a family. I am not too sad anymore. I hope you are not, too.

I have the best captain, Mama. His name is Jeong Hyeok. You will like him.

He cooked for us one time in this thing called briquette. He didn't use fallen leaves and weeds as firewood. It was so cool! He said soon enough our hometown will modernize and we will have a briquette, too.

I hope so, Mama. So that you will never have to gather firewood especially during winter and when it gets dark.

Also, our captain has a lady friend. She is very pretty. And very nice. She gave me the an award, Mama. The Kindness Award! I couldn't believe it. I have never received an award like that eventhough you have always said I am kind.

She made me choose between a hundred million won and eight kilograms of corn taken from the captain's storehouse.

Of course I chose the corn. Where will she get that much money when it is the captain who buys her her things? She is very funny, right, Mama? Hahaha. You will love her.

And then, I have my older brothers Park Kwang Beom, Ju Meok and Pyo Chi Su. They are like real brothers to me, Mama.
They cheer me up whenever I am homesick. And did you know I taught them how to fish?

Yes, Mama. I taught them like you taught me.

Are you proud of me, Mama? I hope you are.

Well, I have to go now. Stay healthy and safe, okay? You are my pillar of strength, Mama. My personal hero. I love you very much.

I am looking forward to a  tomorrow that I am  out of service in the military already.  A tomorrow that I am no longer separated from you.

Till then, I'll try to be the boy you think I am.

But if for any reason I am not able to come home to you, I just want you to know that I will always be with you.

I am not afraid of dying for something that is noble, Mother. I just hate to think of you grieving because of it. Should I go under, just know that I went without any fear.

And it is for that reason that, should the time come of my passing, please drown your sorrow in the pride of knowing that your child went valiantly, fighting for the country we love so dearly.

Your loving son,
Eun Dong

PS: Kiss and hug my siblings for me. Please, tell them all of you are always in my heart.

- THE END -

Author's Notes

My D14 (Tomorrow) for #CLOYTOBER 2021 is kind of an emotional story for me.

This is for all men and women in service who risk their life and limbs just to ensure we get to enjoy ours. Thank you. 🥺💕

Stay safe, healthy and kind to all kinds, y'all. And once again, my gratitude to all of you who have been with me since day 1 up to now.