6 Comments
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Michael Fletcher's avatar

Thank you for sharing this. I feel like we've lost so many of the old stories. It's important for us to remember.

Yael's avatar

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!

Vivzk's avatar

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.

Suzanne Bryne's avatar

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.

Shira Goodman's avatar

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.

Mark Rothschild's avatar

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.