Author's Note: This story was written for the Christmas holiday and is written in Colonel Hogan's POV.
Disclaimer: As much as I would like to claim credit, I do not own the rights to Hogan's Heroes, which includes any of its characters. They belong to CBS. The only parts of this story that is rightfully mine is the plot.
Christmas Memories
I stand in my office staring out the window watching the snow fall. I can't help but think of home at this time of year - Christmas.
My mother always enjoyed this time of year. It was her favorite season. Every Christmas it was always just the two of us. Neither of us minded. I enjoyed spending that one on one time with mom and she with me.
She would cook a nice big ham. We would have mashed potatoes, homemade pie and warm cider to go with it.
I remember how I would eat so much that by the next morning I felt ill. But I could never get enough of mom's cooking.
I press my lips together and look down. I sure do miss her cooking. I miss her laughter and the twinkle in her eyes when I would open the gifts from her. I miss buying her gifts - even though she always said that all she ever needed, she already had - me.
I close my eyes and feel the lump in my throat. She doesn't have me anymore. She doesn't have me to go out and pick out a Christmas tree. She doesn't have me to set it up and decorate it. She doesn't have me there to cook for.
She's alone and that hurts me the most.
If I could have one Christmas wish this year, it would be to be back in Connecticut with mom. To see her smiling face again. To taste her great cooking. To just be there with her at this special time of year.
Two years now I've been in Stalag 13 and two years now I've wished to be home for Christmas. I know that's mom's Christmas wish too.
I wonder what she's doing right now? I can only imagine she's thinking about me as I am thinking about her. I hope she isn't crying. She always was emotional when it came to family.
Staring out the window, I can't help but want to cry myself right now. But men don't cry, especially Colonels. I have to be strong for my men. They miss their families as much as I miss mom.
I can't worry about my own grief. Right now I need to be there for them - that's the important thing right now.
As I watch the snow fall, my mind goes back to home. Mom doesn't have me there to shovel the snow. She can't do it herself.
I close the window and walk to my bunk. I sit down and rest my head in my hands. I tried to think of my men, but she won't leave my mind.
A knock sounds on my door. I take a few breaths before I answer. "Come on in."
"Colonel," Kinch greets me as he walks in. He stares at me for a moment. "Are you all right?"
I nod. "I'm fine, Kinch. What's up?"
"Message from London," he replies. "Sounds like another mission."
Well maybe this will help me get my mind off of mom and Christmas memories of home.
I stand up. "Alright. Let's go."
THE END