Shannon here: Women’s fiction author, Tina Pinson shares a special veteran’s day post about her husband. Comment on this post to win a copy of her latest release, Black Rain. Deadline: Nov 23rd, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Tina:
Since it is Veterans Day, I thought I would talk about my veteran. As I’ve written before, my husband Danny served in the Navy, which made married life fun. Even pre-married life as he was extended on a cruise and our wedding date was changed three times because of it, but that isn’t the story I would like to share today.
When our eldest son was born, Danny was able to be with him for three weeks before he left on a cruise. When my husband returned our son was 8 ½ months old. The infant my husband left was toddling around furniture, cutting teeth and saying a few words. My husband had missed so much.
While Danny was out at sea I tried to make sure father and son were able to see each other. Since this was before the Internet, satellite phones, and video conferencing, I sent pictures and tapes so he could see his son growing and hear his voice.
Our son’s first words were dada and I was able to tape it and send it along, which pleased my husband immensely. Things seemed to be going along as planned. I was certain that when Danny stepped off that carrier, our son would look at him and know it was his daddy.
Well, hubby met us on the pier and our son took one look at him and started crying. Danny wanted to so much to hold his son, but our son would have none of it. Over a period of days, husband would try and coax our son to come to him and let him hold him. Our son would take hesitant steps to his father, and I would even carry him there, then hug my husband so our son would see it was okay. But as soon as our son was in his father’s arms, he would start crying.
I didn’t understand, I would show him the picture of his daddy and he would smile and say, “dada”, but as soon as he was in the arms of the genuine article he would start crying. He even bit Danny to get away.
I could see my husband’s frustration and watch his eyes tears up when the son he so wanted to hold and love would cry to get away from him.
Near my wit’s end, and frustrated myself that all my hard work over the last few months to make sure our son knew his father on sight hadn’t worked I wanted to cry myself and did. Then one day while I was showing our son the picture of his father, the one he cooed over and smiled at, it dawned on me, that picture was taken when Daddy had a clean shaven face and he’d returned home with a beard.
Could it be so simple?
While neither of us believed it could be so easy, Danny shaved his beard and then went to meet his son again.
Our son looked at him, smiled and said, “dada” then went right to his arms.
Little things make a big difference.
In my book, Black Rain, which takes place during the Civil War, Joseph McCormick isn’t in the military, but he’s fighting just as hard to take care of his family. While my husband joined the military because he wanted to, Joseph fears he’ll find his name on the conscription list and end up going to war. If he dies, like so many have, who will care for his family? If he can raise $300.00, he can buy his way out of the draft like many rich men are doing and stay with his wife and children.
But the coalfields are hard. His black world has seeped into the creases of his skin and is probably settling in his chest. He dreams of taking his family West, but that takes money too and he barely makes enough to keep food on the table. Joseph holds onto his hopes, then tragedy strikes leaving him to question God and to wonder if he’ll ever be able to dream again. Black Rain is a reminder that life can be hard on the home front too during war.
Today, Veterans Day, while you remember the veterans who gave their time and sometimes their lives for your freedom, be mindful of those who keep the home fires burning too. Think about those who have stood beside you in the trenches of life and let them know you appreciate all they’ve done for you.
About Tina: Tina Pinson resides in Mesa, Arizona with her husband of thirty plus years, Danny. They have three sons, and seven grandchildren. She has written poetry, songs, and stories for 30 plus years. She loves to doodle, sing and enjoys gardening. She prays her stories will transport you to worlds beyond, touching your spirit and giving you a closer insight to yourself and God. Look for her books; In the Manor of the Ghost, Touched By Mercy, To Carry her Cross,When Shadows Fall, Shadowed Dreams, To Catch a Shadow and Then There Was Grace at major bookstores. Learn more: Tina’s Blog, Twitter:@Tina_Pinson, Facebook– https://www.facebook.com/TinaEPinsonAuthor, Pinterest http://pinterest.com/tinapinson/
About the book – Black Rain: Joseph dreams of a life beyond the cold, black world of coal he and his family live in. Blackness has seeped into his skin. He fights to keep it from seeping into his soul. He is fortunate to have work, and blessed to be at home with his wife Antoinette, even if home is a gray patch town in the Kentucky hills. But the war between the states threatens to strip that away too. He presses on providing for his family, but tragedy strikes, leaving Joseph to wonder if there is life beyond the Black Rain and whether he has the faith to dream again.
Purchase Links:
http://tinyurl.com/BlackRainBN
http://tinyurl.com/BlackRainAm
Come back Nov 13th for K Dawn Byrd!
Black Rain sounds like a great book!
I enjoy you recap of what was surly a frustrating time for you and hubby, but I can see your son backed away, some kids don’t like facial hair, I’m glad it worked out. 🙂
What a touching story. Little things DO make a difference. So glad the solution was that simple for your son.
Hi Mary,
I am glad it worked out too. It can be rather frustrating especially when the last time he held his son he was three weeks old. Of course that was probably on the lower scale of frustration than other moments in military life, but we lived through it.
Black Rain is a prequel novella to another book I hope to get published. I’ve several readers tell me it real caught their emotions, which is of course what I wanted to do.
🙂
Thank you so much for coming in and leaving a comment.
blessings
Tina
Hello Connie,
I’m reading all these times and feeling really late to the party. But It’s only 8 20 in my neck of the woods.
As you said… LIttle things do make difference. In so many ways. If only we’d do the little thing first.
I was looking for the picture I used to show my son his daddy but we’ve been moving and I hadn’t unpacked it yet.
thank you for dropping in and leaving a comment.
blessings
Tina
Hi Judith,
Consider yourself entered. I’m glad you enjoyed the blog and I’m glad you took the time to visit and say hello.
Hope you have blessed day
Tina
Please enter me in this contest. I loved your Blog and this book sounds wonderful. Thanks. Judy F
What a great story. Little things do make a difference.
Your book sounds like a great read.
Hi Susan,
It was such a little thing but it was quickly growing larger the longer we dealt with it. It was a good thing he shaved his beard, cause we were getting ready to pull our hair out.
LOL
thank you so much for visiting Shannon’s blog and leaving a message.
blessings
Tina
Tina, I enjoyed reading this blog and also thanks to Shannon. Your book sounds good also. The Civil War is dear to my heart as so many of my ancestors (even my grandfather) were seriously effected by it. Black Rain sounds like a compelling story. Would love to win!
Hey Jude,
How lovely to see you here. I love writing about that time in history, but it would seem you have a closer account of life during that time. That is awesome.
You must have heard some interesting stories from your grandfather and ancestors. How it must have looked through their eyes.
thank you for sharing.
blessings
Tina
Your Veteran’s Day story rang so true and I’m sure your Civil War story will, too.
Hi Tina: Black Rain sounds interesting and I would enjoy reading it. My grandfather worked in the coal mines of Scotland. He was in the British Marines and when he returned from WWI, he made plans to immigrate to USA. I’m forever grateful that he came to Michigan and started over. My dad served in the US Army in WWII, and my brother in US Army in Viet Nam. Love the military. God bless them all.
Black Rain sounds like a great book
God bless you
Chris Granville
granvilleATfrontiernetDOTnet
Sounds like a fantastic book. The Military is very special to me. I lost a special friend approximately 1 1/2 year ago. God bless all the military, veterans and their families.
Thank you for the chance to win this giveaway and please enter my name.
What a touching story you have shared about your family! Thank you to your husband for his service and to you and your family for your support.
To our veterans, those currently serving, and their supporting families, thank you for your service and sacrifices!
Black Rain sounds like a wonderful, emotional story!
This was such a sad thing to happen between your son and your husband. Just wish you had tho’t of it sooner, as I know you both were. Beards do make a lot of difference to me. We have had so many serve in our different branches of our servicemen. and, even one niece was there for 20 years right out of High School.I had a great grandfather in the Civil War and buried here in TX. Many years ago. My oldest brother served in WW ll along with so many we knew from out little town. Some didn’t make it back. I had 2 other brothers who served later. I am one of eight siblings so we have a huge family of several generations now.My brother from WW ll is now eighty eight. I had three brother-in-laws in that war. And then many My son served in the Navy and later a step-son who served during the Iran war. Two of my grandsons were in the Marines. There were so many nephews and cousins who served our country. I am so Proud of every one. And, all of the others who have and is now fighting to keep our Freedom. And, to keep the wars away from America. This is one of the books I would love to win to go with these Civil War series. Please give me an entry. Thanks tina and Shannon. Maxie mac262(at)me(dot)com
Hi Jackie,
I certainly try to give readers of Black Rain the look and feel of the mining camp and the world in which Joseph and his family lived in.
thank you for your encouragement.
blessings
Tina
Diane,
You have a rich history there. I can imagine your grandfather had stories to tell. My father’s family hails from Scotland. Always wanted to go visit.
thank you for sharing
blessings
Tina
Chris,
thanks for coming by and for the blessing. Hope you have a lovely day with many blessings of your own.
Tina
Barbara,
sorry for the loss of a special friend, how wonderful that you have the gift of your cherished memories with them.
thank you so much for sharing.
blessings
Tina
Britney,
I’m glad you liked my story. We learned something after that cruise, so when hubby went out on other deployments, it was far easier on our other children when he returned. Of course, the navy changed the rule on beards so we didn’t have that to contend with.
I have been told Black Rain is as you said, ‘an emotional read’ given the time and the circumstances of the story.
thank you for your comments.
blessings
Tina
Maxie,
Welcome. From the sounds of it, your family has a grand history. So many service members, through so many wars. And oh, what stories they could tell. Sadly we are losing many of those who walked through the battles of WWll hopefully we will continue to remember the sacrifices made.
thank you so much for sharing. consider yourself entered.
blessings
Tina
I have a winner! Chris Granville won the drawing. I appreciate Tina for being my guest and everyone else for stopping by.