"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” (Psalm 116:15)
Dena's journal entries as the 1 year marker approached, and following the death notification demonstrate both her lament and her surrender to God's way. She saw the Son of God behind the son that had been given into her care for shorter than she would have hoped. The death notification was received between October 14 and 17, 1943.
October 11, 1943 Johnny has been missing for one year now. Mother.
October 14, 1943 Johnny, darling, I took this poem out to read again (October 11, 1942). I think of you from morning till night. I would do anything if you only could come back again but what if it isn't God way? And God's way is always the best way. Mom.
October 17, 1943 In loving remembrance of our dear son and brother, John Ronda, Jr., who died at sea in the service of his country on October 9, 1942.
Sweet is your memory,
dear to our hearts.
The place that you hold
will never depart.
And all through the years,
be they many or few,
will be years of remembrance,
our Johnny, of you.
October 31, 1943
Dear Johnny, it's Sunday today. Last Friday, Aunt Bessie was buried. The minister had such a beautiful funeral sermon. He said, "There was no other way" and I thought of you again, Johnny boy. There was no other way for you or for me. For God's way is always the best way. Goodbye now, Johnny. Mother.
