Letters Home: The Story of an Air Force Wife

By Glenda Geeslin Helms

In the 1970's, Glenda met the love of her life, Michael, a Sgt. in the Air Force. She left her family and all that was familiar to follow him to Italy where they married. During the next eight years, they were sent to Italy and Germany where their lives were filled with adventure, travel, hardships, and homesickness as they experienced the magic of Europe together.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Glenda Geeslin Helms
• Release date: Jul 31, 2013
• ISBN: 9781627769983

Glenda Geeslin Helms

I view my life in chapters. Letters home is about the chapter in my life that my husband was in the Air Force and we lived in Europe. It was an exciting, adventurous, wonderful chapter. In the next chapter in my life we both became teachers. The first ten years we both taught in a residential treatment center for emotionally disturbed children. We also had two children of our own. Moving to another town and teaching in a regular high school and watching our kids grow through their teenage years was the next chapter, followed by our retirement. We now have a craft business and stay busy working in the wood shop and taking our products to craft shows.

Book preview

Chapter 1

It almost didn’t happen. The fear overwhelmed me, rolling in waves. Holy crap! What had I done? It was too soon, too far away, too crazy. Who does this? And yet it did happen.

It all started February 14, 1970, Valentine’s Day, our first date. I had met Michael five months before, while dating John. Both men were in the Air Force stationed at Goodfellow Air Force Base in San Angelo, Texas. John had no car, so sometimes borrowed Michael’s car to date me. I was a freshman at Angelo State University, fresh out of the little town of Goldthwaite, Texas, young, naive, and inexperienced in the way of the world. Sometimes John and I would go driving up and down the college strip with his group of friends from the base. Michael sometimes would ride along, and he was usually very quiet and always seemed sad. John whispered to me that a drunk driver killed Michael's wife in a car accident some months before, and Michael was having a difficult time getting over it. I felt bad for Michael. He seemed like a nice guy, but my attention at the time was on John. As romances sometimes go, after a few months, John was assigned to a different base, so he moved away and I never heard from him again.

The Angelettes, the drill team I was in at the college, was invited to come to the rec center at Goodfellow. There was to be a dance for the men on base one Saturday night in February. I saw Michael there, and we hit it off. We danced most of the night together, and then on the last dance of the night, he asked me to go out with him the next Saturday night. That was our first Valentine’s Day.

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The Angelettes 1970, I'm in the front right.

After he picked me up at the dorm, he leaned over to me and said, I have a little kiss for you. It was Valentine’s, after all. I leaned toward him, smiled, and kissed him. He blushed, reached in his pocket and presented me with a chocolate Kiss. Actually, I meant this one, but I like yours better, he said with a grin. That broke the ice.

He always said if I hadn’t kissed him that night, we probably never would have gotten married. He was so shy; he would never have gotten up the nerve to make the first move. So he always said, if you give a girl a Chocolate Kiss, you have to marry her. The Kiss became our mascot after that, and every Valentine’s Day thereafter, included some variation of the Chocolate Kiss. That has included the regular ones, giant ones, Chocolate Kiss necklaces, music boxes, broaches, and even boxer shorts.

We went to a movie, Easy Rider, and then rode around in his yellow convertible Corvette with the top down. It was a warm night in Texas, and the stars were bright. He told me that his tour of duty in San Angelo would be coming to an end soon, and he would be stationed in Italy for probably three years. A couple of days later I received a letter.

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Mike and His Corvette

February 15, 1970

Dear Glenda,

Hi! It’s just me, crazy ole Mike. Just thought I’d drop you a line to explain to you that I am not actually crazy. I just acted that way last night so I didn’t bore you with the real me. Actually, I am a very simple person who would just enjoy riding around with you and being with you, but I figured that would be pretty boring for you, so I put on a little act. I was serious though when I said that I wish I didn’t have to leave so soon.

I’d like to explain why I seem older to you than I really am. You see, I have been married and am a widower now. My wife was killed in a car accident about 6 months after we were married, which was a year ago today. Our date last night was my first date in about 5 years. I guess that’s why I’m so shy around girls. I’ve forgotten how to start conversations and make a girl feel comfortable without boring her to death. You’re the first girl I’ve been able to talk with, even though that was just acting crazy. You are the only girl I’ve met who could make me forget my late wife and try to have a little bit of fun again.

I’d like to tell you how much fun I had last night, but I can’t think of a word to describe it. Thank you for making my stay here in San Angelo worthwhile.

Love ya,

Mike

I put down the letter and burst into tears. I was confused. Why was I having this reaction? Who cries after losing someone after one date? It didn’t make sense, but I knew this couldn’t be the end. There was just something different and special about him.

Call him! my roommate Diana said. What could it hurt? Now this was before the time of cell phones. It wasn’t that easy to find him. I called the main phone line at Goodfellow Air force base.

I need to talk to Michael Helms, I said to the poor unlucky base phone operator.

Which barracks does he live in? he asked.

I have no idea, I sheepishly replied. He probably thought I was nuts. But whoever he was, he was patient and accommodating, because he agreed to see if he could find Michael among the thousands of Air Force guys on base. He tried a couple of barracks.

I could hear people in the background hollering, Anybody heard of Mike Helms?

Then I heard someone else reply, I think he’s playing pool at the rec center. I was transferred to the rec center and miracle of miracles I heard his voice.

Now what do you say to a guy that you have worked so hard to chase down and find after that one date. He must have thought I was quite brazen. I told him I didn’t want it to be goodbye yet, and wanted to see him again. So we began dating. Three weeks later, I told him that my parents wanted me to come home for a visit. I went home infrequently, as I had no car. Going home entailed a long bus ride, stopping at every town along the way. Mike offered to take me. Problem solved. No agonizing bus ride, and I would get to spend more time with Michael before he had to leave. I called up Mom. I’m coming home, Mom, and I’m bringing a guy with me.

The weekend quickly arrived and Mike and I headed for Mom and Dad’s house. They lived seven miles from the small town of Goldthwaite, down a twisty winding country road. My Mom and Grandma were there to greet us when we arrived. Grandma had lived with my family for the last few years since my grandfather had gotten sick and died. Michael thought my mother was my sister and my grandmother was my mother. No joke! Of course they were flattered. My dad arrived later. He was a big man, tall and muscular from lifting heavy feed sacks for the cows. Michael was a bit intimidated, I think.

The visit was comfortable, but for the most part pretty unremarkable, that is except for one particular very important part. Michael and I went out for some alone time that night. We drove over to the old vacant rock house that my mother grew up in, which still stood on the family land. It was a beautiful starry night. We put the top down on the Corvette, cuddled up, and traded sweet kisses. That’s when my world changed. Let’s get married, Michael said.

What! How? When? How can that happen? I exclaimed. My world was rocking. I was shocked, giddy, dizzy, incredulous, and terrified all at once.

I still had to finish my freshman year at college. This was so not what I had envisioned my life to be. I was never going to get married this young! I was determined to finish college before any thoughts of marriage, but sometimes life hands you surprises, and if not taken at the time, will be gone forever. I looked at him seriously and told him, You have to understand, that if I marry you, I have to finish college.

He replied, Of course, if we can afford it.

I shook my head. No, you don’t understand. It’s not an option. I WILL finish college. Now that that was out of the way, we went to the business of planning.

Yes, I know what you are thinking. You hardly knew this guy! And you would be right, but there wasn’t time for more dating before he would be gone forever. I just knew in my gut that it was right, and I went with it. I guess sometimes in life you just have to take a chance. If I hadn’t, my whole life would have turned out very differently.

In a couple of weeks he would be leaving San Angelo. He would be spending a month’s leave in Iowa with his family before heading to Italy. I was to follow him when school was out and we would get married in Italy. Sunday afternoon arrived, and after saying goodbye to my family, we headed back to San Angelo.

Mike’s time in San Angelo drew to a close. He left to go to Iowa, and I went back to the business of finishing the semester. Looming over me was having to tell my parents about my decision. I phoned home, I’m coming home, Mom. I have something important I need to talk to you about. That was one of the longest weeks of my life. I was a ball of nerves. My stomach was upset, and I felt on the verge of tears. How will they react? Who gets engaged after such a short time? And of course there was that small detail that Italy was a long way away, and I would be gone for three years!

Saturday arrived. With trepidation I endured that long bus ride home. Mom was alone, so I decided to tell her first. She and I were close, and although I expected her to be her usual supportive self, this was a little beyond normal. Her reaction was better than I expected. Well, she remarked, if I had known you were going to marry this guy, I would have paid closer attention to him last weekend. Relief flowed over me. Now I had my dad to confront. Mom laughed at my nervousness and sent me to talk to my dad in the den.

Dad, I stammered, I have something to tell you. Michael asked me to marry him. I said yes, so I will be going to Italy to marry him this summer.

He looked at me calmly, looked back down at his magazine, and proclaimed, Well, I’m not the one marrying him. You are. So if that’s what you want to do, it’s ok with me. The weight lifted off of me. I sighed with relief. My news went over much better than I would have dreamed. I could now turn my concentration on finishing the semester and getting ready for that move to Italy.

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Mike

Chapter 2

After the weekend with my parents, Michael called me to ask how the news had gone over with my parents. He had another surprise in store. He suggested that I come to Iowa to meet his family over spring break, which was very soon. He mailed me a check, the tickets were bought, and before you know it, I was taking my first flight.

I carefully picked the outfit I would wear. It was a black checked short dress with a black patent belt around the hips. I thought it went well with my long dark blond hair. I wanted to look my best, and was so excited. Luckily my seat was by the window so that I wouldn’t miss any of this new experience. My heart was pounding; I was so happy. I was on my way to see my new fiancée and meet his family. I honestly wondered how this gentle man, who seemed so much more mature than I knew I was, could love me. I thought of the adventures we would have in Italy and how wonderful and surprising life could be.

As I was gazing out the window at the clouds below me, it hit me. I was so naive. This man has been married before! He had another life before me. He had parents, siblings, friends, and in-laws who might have mixed feelings about this turn of events. I suddenly felt small and afraid. I was headed into his world, a world that he had shared lovingly with someone else, and didn’t include me.

Michael was at the airport to meet me. We were both so happy to see each other. I felt shy at seeing him again, but we hugged and kissed one another and headed to the car with the luggage. It was March in Iowa and my short dress did little to shelter me from the cold Iowa air.

His parents were welcoming. I felt that they were a little blindsided with their son’s announcement, but were dealing with this surprise as well as they could. The house was an older two-story house with worn furniture and hand crocheted throws on the couch and chair. It was warm and homey. There were family pictures on the various tables. Some of them were wedding pictures of Michael and his wife. I was curious, but it was hard to see these pictures of him with someone else. I instantly had butterflies in my stomach and I felt like an intruder.

Michael held my hand and I knew that he was aware of how difficult this was for me. He was protective and constantly asked me if I was okay. His mother was talkative. In our time alone, she talked about Michael’s marriage and the tragedy of the wreck. Janet was two years older than Michael, and they married as soon as he graduated from high school. They had only been married six months. Apparently she and Michael were on a trip to visit her relatives in Arkansas when a drunk driver crashed into them. Michael was not physically injured, but she was killed instantly. It was horrible and traumatic for him. I trembled through the telling of it, but was silent.

After the accident, Michael moved into his in-laws house with them, and they grieved together. He continued with his job at a meat packing plant. He knew he would soon receive his draft notice, as it was during the Vietnam era. He decided to join the Air Force instead, and hopefully avoid having to go to Vietnam where so many men were being killed. As it turned out, this change in his life and leaving home was the best thing that could have happened.

Michael’s dad had a huge sense of humor and loved to tease. While sitting around the dinner table, he loved to tell stories of the kids when they were little. Joining in the stories were Michael’s two teenaged sisters. They were great, and I loved the thought of having two new sisters in my life. Michael’s mother was an amazing cook, and it seemed she was constantly in the kitchen. They owned a private nursing home with patients who lived upstairs that she had to take care of and cook for.

Michael’s grandmother also lived with them and helped take care of the people upstairs. She was a short, round, wrinkled, grey haired woman with no teeth, and she had a twinkle in her eyes. She seemed like such a very sweet woman, and I knew that she and Michael shared a special bond.

One night his mother suggested that we needed to go meet Michael’s in-laws, Jim and Marge. Mike squeezed my hand and told me that we wouldn’t go if I was uncomfortable with it. Of course I was uncomfortable. I was terrified, but how could I refuse to meet this sad couple who had lost their daughter and were now having to cope with their son-in-law remarrying. The evening was difficult. They were very sweet, and greeted me with a hug. Jim was talkative and did his best to put me at ease. Marge was quiet and her face readily showed her pain. We ate supper with them and then said our goodbyes. After we left and sat down in the car, the dam of my emotions burst and I cried. Michael was dismayed. I had to reassure him that they had done nothing to upset me, nor had he, I just felt bad for them. It was humbling to realize that if