Amazing. You are amazing. That was the shortest story to explain the longest and most-difficult-to-explain origin/experience of your family. I loved every letter!
This is a lovely, but sad story! Thank you. My father-in-law who came from Germany, got out before his parents who died, refused to ever talk about it. They had eight children, and sent them out two at a time.
This is such a fascinating story, Mark -- and I'm sure there's much more to it. So many stories like this are coming to the surface, thanks to the various DNA companies. And if your mom swabbed with a couple more companies, I bet more of the mystery could be solved with names and not just ethnicities. I know that's controversial, and there has to be a willingness to go there. But also, I believe everyone has the right to know where they came from. Even if your mom doesn't want to peek further under the hood, your grandchildren might one day. Thanks for sharing this story!
Lovely and understandable story. People trying to survive. It is always helpful to know the past. No one comes from nowhere. Human DNA is will always mix and create the next being. Hopefully as thoughtful as your mom. Sad, yet determined.
Trauma takes such a toll. Whether young (my experience with a house full of mental health issues) or as an adult (recently dx with front temporal epilepsy) I’ve had to find ways , as you are, of managing. I write and paint and am creating a memoir that combines both.
I appreciate reading your words of wisdom, and I thank you for sharing them with us.
PS. I don’t know what “Also share to notes.” means.
Wow! That story left me breathless and shaken. PTSD is so real and just think how many people are suffering from it today with all the wars in the world. And while the story was sad your writing is so beautiful it also brought a smile to my face. You are lucky your mom is alive—relish every moment with her whether it be serious memories or silly photos.
Thank you, Shira. Coincidentally, last night we took my mom to see Leopoldstadt at the Writer's Theater outside Chicago. The production was breathtaking and painful, and the audience was in tears, including my mom. I'll write more about that later, but seeing her experience the play and listening to her process the evening as I drove her home was a gift.
Thank you for sharing this. I feel like we've lost so many of the old stories. It's important for us to remember.
Amazing. You are amazing. That was the shortest story to explain the longest and most-difficult-to-explain origin/experience of your family. I loved every letter!
This is a lovely, but sad story! Thank you. My father-in-law who came from Germany, got out before his parents who died, refused to ever talk about it. They had eight children, and sent them out two at a time.
This is so good, Mark. I could keep reading for hours.
My mother‘s and her sisters had very dark eyes and very dark hair. But I have a picture of my mother with her hair dyed blonde circa 1940’s
My dad said my mother and her sisters were raised Catholic by her mother. But they’re maiden name was Jewish: Fulde
My aunt told the story that she tried to defend one of her Jewish neighbors. If she was Catholic would she be even living in a Jewish neighborhood?
All three sisters came to the United States and in the 50s, but the war had already scarred them deeply.
Beautiful
Wow! Great story!
A beautiful story. Thank you.
This is such a fascinating story, Mark -- and I'm sure there's much more to it. So many stories like this are coming to the surface, thanks to the various DNA companies. And if your mom swabbed with a couple more companies, I bet more of the mystery could be solved with names and not just ethnicities. I know that's controversial, and there has to be a willingness to go there. But also, I believe everyone has the right to know where they came from. Even if your mom doesn't want to peek further under the hood, your grandchildren might one day. Thanks for sharing this story!
Lovely and understandable story. People trying to survive. It is always helpful to know the past. No one comes from nowhere. Human DNA is will always mix and create the next being. Hopefully as thoughtful as your mom. Sad, yet determined.
Trauma takes such a toll. Whether young (my experience with a house full of mental health issues) or as an adult (recently dx with front temporal epilepsy) I’ve had to find ways , as you are, of managing. I write and paint and am creating a memoir that combines both.
I appreciate reading your words of wisdom, and I thank you for sharing them with us.
PS. I don’t know what “Also share to notes.” means.
Wow! That story left me breathless and shaken. PTSD is so real and just think how many people are suffering from it today with all the wars in the world. And while the story was sad your writing is so beautiful it also brought a smile to my face. You are lucky your mom is alive—relish every moment with her whether it be serious memories or silly photos.
Thank you, Shira. Coincidentally, last night we took my mom to see Leopoldstadt at the Writer's Theater outside Chicago. The production was breathtaking and painful, and the audience was in tears, including my mom. I'll write more about that later, but seeing her experience the play and listening to her process the evening as I drove her home was a gift.
I was wondering if you’d seen the play. I’m so glad your mom was able to be there.
Your writing style has a very approachable likeable quality. I'm drawn to that because my style is like that as well.
Reminds me of my grandmother. I was born in 1949 just after my dad got out of the Navy.
My family asks me that all the time. They are great fodder for writing. Hey, that’s what we do.
So beautifully told and such a powerful depiction of your mom and the trauma of your family's experience. Apologies to your mom but I want more!
Thanks, Deb! And apologies to my 91-year-old, tough-as-nails mother, but you probably haven't heard the last of her yet.