November 25, 2007, Evansville, Indiana~

Dear Corey~

Son, you don't know how much it does my heart proud to know you are fighting for our freedoms; yet at the same time, I worry constantly for your safety, your well-being.

How I wished that you could have been here for our Thanksgiving celebration! Everyone was there: our cousins Shelbie, Shiloh, and Shoshannah, your uncles Tony, Caton, Regis, and Elmo, your aunts Brigit, Hala, Marie, and Gertrude, Great-Granddad Joyce; even Mother came from the nursing home to spend the day.

It was a most lovely time; however, it was heartbreaking to see Mother's decline.

Mother has become so forgetful. Her Alzheimer's has worsened considerably: she can no longer care for herself; therefore, Dad had to make the heartrending decision to place her into a nursing home so she can get the round-the-clock care she needs. She's in a wheelchair now. She's become like a little child.

But on to happier news:

It was at our Thanksgiving celebration when we found out that Regis and Gertie are adopting. They are adopting a little boy from Haiti, a little six-year-old they plan on calling Pierre-Michel. We have seen his picture; oh, Corey, you should see him; he's sooo cute!! They think he'll be here in time for Christmas; oh, what a marvelous Christmas gift!!

Well, the cat is yowling to be let back in, so I'd best go before he tries to claw his way back inside!

Please take care, know you're always in my heart, and please stay safe! I love and miss you so much, Baby!

~As ever, Mom. XOXOXOXO

November 26, 2007, somewhere in southern Afghanistan~

Dear Mom~

Thank you so much for your wonderful e-mail. It is so wonderful to hear news from the homefront; it bolsters my morale to know that you are all (mostly) okay; that way, I can stop being a (world-class) worrywart!

Mom, the weather here is coolish; at night it gets downright *cooooooooollllllllld*!! It's so bad I have to have a blanket on the bed at night! (Hint, hint: I want an electric blanket for Christmas; it would make a perfect Christmas gift!)

Where I'm at, there's not so much in the way of fighting; yet that can change at any given moment. Off in the distance, I can see flashes of light, hear booms afterwards; it's akin to watching a thunderstorm raging in the distance. I know there's fighting; it terrifies me because I don't know where it's headed; it can be headed this away. Until then, all I can do is wait--and pray.

It was good that you all could be together for Thanksgiving; however it was upsetting to learn of GranMary's decline. That must have been so hard for dad to make that painful decision to have her placed into the nursing home! Hopefully she's getting the needed care. When I saw her back in August before I left, I knew it wouldn't be long before that happened; she was in such a bad way.

That's great about Uncle Reg and Auntie Gert adopting that little Haitian boy. Everyone should have a child to love! My friend Raoul is adopted, and it doesn't faze him; he really loves his (adoptive) family!

Well, mom, some of the guys want to play a game of canasta, so I'll go. I can use some activity; I'm so bored out of my gourd it isn't a bit funny!

Take care and do write soon! I love and miss you!!

~As ever, your devoted,

Your boy, Corey Michael. (XOXO)

November 29, 2007, Evansville, Indiana~

Dear Corey-Boy~

I am wishing you could be here with us; soon it will be Christmas, and you won't be here. It is going to be a silent night without you. Do you know how hard that is? Dad listens to the news every chance he can; he's so scared you'll end up getting injured or (heaven forbid), even killed!

I don't know what we would do if something were to happen to you; we could never live with ourselves!

We will be looking for that electric blanket; we don't want you catching your death of cold!

I am glad that you are away from the fighting. That is what we needed to hear; thanks for putting our (worried) minds at ease!

Do you need anything else? New sweaters or pants? New socks, new shoes? Money? Food? Anything at all?? Please don't hesitate to let us know!

Well, the phone's ringing ringing again (seems it never stops!!); gotta' answer it before Dad yells his head off; you know how he gets whenever somone (or someTHING) interrupts his football game!

Write back soon! We love you!

~Mom. (XOXOXO)

Undated~

Dear Mom~

This won't be long; too much going on.

Getting ready to move on out; fighting nearly at our back door; constant booms, flashes of light. It's beyond terrifying!

Tell Dad I love him; know I love you too! Give the gang my best; tell them to pray for me!

~As always, your devoted,
Your son, Corey-Boy.

________________________________________________

November 30, 2007~

To whom it may concern~

This is Melinda Ortiz from the American Red Cross.

The reason I am writing to you is to inform you that your son, Corbin Michael Wilson, has been airlifted to a hospital. He was injured in a bomb blast.

Unfortunately, his injuries are severe; however, we are confident that with expert medical care, he will, in time, recover.

As soon as I get more information regarding Corey, I will be contacting you. If you have any questions, contact your local Red Cross office, ask for me (Melinda); they'll put you in touch with me. I can then give you the needed information you need to hear. I sheall then relay the information I have to you. The number (as well as my personal e-mail address) are listed below.

I hope I can be of assistance to you. I shall help you in any way possible.

Thank you and best wishes to your son; know he is in our thoughts and prayers.

With regrets and prayers,

Melinda Michelle Ortiz, The American Red Cross.

~End of Part One.~