Walt and Barb’s Family Update — October 2025
October 1, 2025
My New Devotional Published On-Line — What the Bible Says About Thanksgiving, Rejoicing, Generosity, and Blessings
October 26, 2025October 16, 1945 — Phil knows now Mary Katherine is the one!
That fall, he and Mary Katherine attended horse shows, hunted several times with her father, and continued to cut the rug on dance floors.[1]
The more Mary Katherine took him dancing and dining, the more proficient he became with his artificial leg.
Riding and dancing became more comfortable. Even the foxtrot and swing dance moves became effortless because Mary Katherine was such an excellent dance partner and companion.
Without even trying, she taught him to lead her. She brought out the gentleman in him. He was a better man due to Mary Katherine.
The riding barrel at the hospital was a very popular success with the PTs and the men. So much so that Phil was enlisted to help establish an equine-assisted physical therapy program.
Mary Katherine and her father provided the horses at the nearby city park stable. The horses proved themselves to be naturally intuitive and able to sense and mirror their rider’s mood.
They became excellent therapeutic animals and helped the men’s balance, strength, and confidence. It was a resounding success that he enjoyed doing with her.
Their long talks became comfortable to the point where, for the first time, he was able to start talking about the war.
The gruesome battles. The hand-to-hand combat. The horrific sight of his buddies with their heads blown off or bodies cut in two. The tremendous losses. His final battle.
She listened carefully, helping Phil clarify his thoughts and sort through his emotions. She asked probing questions, gently at first, and more penetrating as time went on.
He felt comfortable sharing with her. She didn’t judge; she listened and learned.
She brought him out of a deep, dark foxhole of horrific memories and quickly became his true and trusted friend.
He now knew that Mary Katherine was the one. Marilyn was now a distant, forgotten memory.
Phil was looking forward to the autumn and holiday season with his new forever best friend[1]
~~~~~
[1] Larimore, At First Light, 291.
Learn more about my book about my father’s heroics and exploits at Amazon’s First Light page here. You can also read more of my WWII blogs here!
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