You're doing a great job, Ronna. Looking forward to see how Helga gains her 'peace'.

Helga took a deep breath and then looked at Sue. So, what do I do now? she asked. Do you think I should go?

That’s entirely up to you, Sue replied. But I think she meant it when she extended the invitation. When Helga nodded, Sue tapped her hand to get her attention. I also think Judy meant everything that she said tonight, too, and I really hope you’ll consider what she said, she told the older woman.

Helga pursed her lips before replying, Yes, she’s given me a lot to think about.

Yes, she did, Sue agreed. And there’s more that she didn’t tell you. When Helga looked at her with surprise, Sue continued, She told me at lunch the other day that her grandfather always felt guilty that as the big brother, he couldn’t do more to help save his family, especially his younger sister. He wanted to contact you when he read about you in the papers, but thought you wouldn’t want to talk to him, either because it might bring back painful memories or because he thought you might blame him for not working harder to protect his sister, and maybe even you.

Really? Helga asked, tears shining in her eyes. I never knew that. I never would have blamed him….he was only a child. There wasn’t anything he could have done.

Kurt Mueller was a child, just like you and Sarah, Sue reminded her. And even as a child, you did the very best you could under horrible conditions to honor your promise to Sarah and her mother. I don’t think Judy’s family would fault you for her death. Instead, I think they might want to thank you for what you were able to do for her. When Helga shook her head and started to turn away, Sue stopped her with a hand on her arm. Don’t you think it’s time to let go of the anger and bitterness, and the hold Zimmer still has over you? she asked. Judy and her family are reaching out to you with an offer of help. Don’t let pride get in the way of accepting their help.

I just don’t see how my talking to them will help either one of us, Helga replied.

You might not see it right now, Sue acknowledged. But I believe God has a plan, even if we don’t always know exactly what it is.

Helga sat for a moment, collecting her thoughts. Well, I can’t promise I’ll go, but I’ll think about what she said, she signed.

That’s all anyone can ask for, Sue responded, hugging her friend.

I'm glad that Helga has at least agreed to spend some time thinking about what Judy said...I think that alone will help bring her some peace! And I hope she decides to go to the seders. Interested to know more about what that is about too!

A "maybe" is definitely better than a "no"!!! I love how Sue is being tough and gentle all at the same time... her spirit is shining through beautifully! And I think it would mean a lot for her to take Jack with her if she goes... not because of the 'date' aspect, but because he saw how hard that case had been on Sue and I think it will give him a lot of understanding... it would be another way for them to connect emotionally, I think. And he likes Helga (and she him), so it would help him to be there for her as well.

A/N: Nearing the end, folks. Thanks so much for your kind comments! They've been very much appreciated!

Tuesday, April 11 --- Judy Eichorn’s apartment, 6:15 p.m.

Helga stood nervously in front of Judy’s apartment door. She had rung the doorbell and then knocked, since she couldn’t hear if the doorbell had indeed rung. Clutching the small bouquet of flowers, she sent a prayer heavenward: Please let me make the right decision.

The door opened and Judy looked at Helga in surprise. Helga, it’s nice to see you, Judy recovered quickly. Please, come in.

Thank you, Helga replied. She accepted Judy’s offer to take her coat and then signed, These are for you, handing her the flowers.

Thank you….they’re beautiful, Judy replied, smiling. Let me put them in a vase. She quickly found a vase and as she was putting it on the coffee table, two women entered the room, and Judy quickly introduced Helga to her grandmother, Marta Miller, and her mother, Sharon Eichorn.

So, this is the Helga that your grandfather knew? Marta asked, eyes shining with hope.

Yes, I am, Helga replied. And that’s actually why I came here tonight. She paused, and then glanced at Judy. I’m sorry for coming over here unannounced, but I wasn’t sure I’d feel comfortable at a family holiday gathering, she explained. I hope my coming by now isn’t too much of an inconvenience.

Not at all, Marta replied. Look, my daughter and granddaughter still haven’t learned to make a brisket that isn’t too dry….so, we sit and we talk for a few minutes, the brisket gets a little dryer…who’ll know the difference? That’s what gravy is for! she finished, winking at Judy, who simply shook her head, smiling at her grandmother.

Oh, if I’ve come at a bad time… Helga started to say, but was cut off by Judy.

It’s okay, she reassured Helga. It’s a family joke how my mom and I can’t make brisket like my grandmother. She’s famous for her brisket back home.

Oh, I see, Helga said, with a small smile. I could never cook as well as my mother, either, she told Sharon and Judy, who nodded their understanding. Then, Helga reached for her purse and hesitated, as though waging an internal war before deciding in the affirmative. Slowly she drew out two faded pictures and handed them to Marta. I think these belong to you, she signed with shaking hands.

Judy and Sharon huddled over Marta’s shoulder as they all looked at the faded photos. Marta put a hand to her mouth to stifle a sudden cry as she said, “Kurt! That’s my husband! And there’s Sarah! And these other people must be the rest of his family,” she surmised, turning the picture over and nodding. “Yes, I recognize the names---it is a picture of Kurt’s entire family, taken before the war.” She quickly passed the picture to Sharon so she could take a better look, and then turned her attention to the second picture.

The second picture was of a group of children in a park, sitting on a picnic blanket on a sunny day. There was evidence of ice cream still on the children’s faces as they waved at the camera, and a few wrapped gifts could be seen in the corner of the picture. Turning the picture over, Marta read the faded writing: Sarah and friends, 10th birthday party, 11 June 1940. As she traced the faces of the children in the photo, Marta murmured, “So young, so innocent…” Looking up at Judy and Sharon, she said, “That’s a picture of Kurt and Sarah and I’m assuming you and your sister are in there as well?” she asked, turning to Helga and repeating the question in sign language.

Yes, Helga replied. I’m the girl sitting next to Kurt on the left, and my younger sister Anna is sitting next to Sarah on the right. The other children’s names are Josef, Elsa, Franz, Adele, Gretchen, Trudie, Bertha and Hedda. She smiled sadly as she signed, It’s funny what your mind lets you remember. I remember that birthday party because it was the last time we ever got together to celebrate. Shortly after that picture was taken was when our world as we knew it collapsed and the horror started for us.

How did you get these pictures? Marta asked. I didn’t think Kurt brought anything with him when we immigrated.

I'm SOOOO glad Helga went to see them!! I'm hoping it helps her to connect with them enough to decide to come back the next evening... But even if she doesn't, this is going to be so very healing for her!!! And now I'm sad that it's nearing the end!!

I'm so glad that Helga decided to go!! Though I can't imagine ever being fully healed after enduring what Helga did, sharing her story should help a lot and bring her some peace!

Hey This storyi s amazign I love reading it Greate job so far.

Helga smiled sadly. While we were in the concentration camps, squatters moved into our houses, she explained. After the liberation, some of us went back to our homes to try and salvage what we could. I went back to my house to find what I could and also to see if anyone else in my family had made it out alive. But the people there were horrible, Helga remembered, making a face. They didn’t believe me at first that I had lived there, but I was very insistent, and finally, I was allowed ten minutes to come in and get what I needed before they threw me out.

“That’s horrible!” Sharon exclaimed, but Helga and Marta only shrugged.

That’s the way it was at the time, Marta explained, and Helga nodded in agreement before picking up her story. Well, then I decided to see if Kurt had made it out alive, so I went to his house, Helga continued. Again, the squatters there were very nasty, but in the end, I was granted ten minutes to go in and look around. In their living room, photo albums had been torn apart, and in the ashes of the fireplace, I could see that the squatters had burned the photos instead of wood when it got cold. I didn’t have much time, so I grabbed only a few photos that hadn’t been completely destroyed before I was chased out.

“And you’ve held on to them all these years,” Marta murmured, with Judy interpreting for her. Eyes shining with unshed tears, she whispered to Helga, “Thank you. Thank you so much. You will never know how much this means to us.”

You’re welcome, Helga signed in return. Then, taking a deep breath, and praying for courage, she hesitantly signed, I also knew your husband’s family in the concentration camp. If you’d like, if you have the time, I can tell you what I remember.

Really? Judy signed at the same time her mother exclaimed, “We’ll make the time! Come, sit on the couch with me where you’ll be more comfortable. Make yourself at home…this is a story we’ve been wanting to hear for a long time.”

And so the brisket almost dried out, the potatoes burned and the noodle pudding scorched as Helga told her story. As she did, she could feel a great release from within, as she realized the didn’t have to carry her burden alone any longer. Looking into Marta’s eyes, Helga knew that she understood, having had similar experiences.

Wonderful!!! Not only is she letting out feelings that she has kept bottled up for so long, she is sharing them with someone who knows what it's like. Exactly what I was hoping would happen.

The fact that all she could salvage from that house was a few pictures is so sad...it's hard to imagine losing as much as those people did--in some cases, not only everything they owned, but their loved ones or their own lives.

I'm so glad Helga decided to go - and to share.

Bravo, Ronna!

Somehow, I have a feeling that dried out brisket tasted better than they'd ever had before (if they ate it ). What a wonderful, healing post!

Three hours later, as Judy, her mother and grandmother bade Helga good night, Judy suddenly stopped and looked at the older woman. Overcome with emotion, Judy simply signed, Thank you for everything. You’ve given us the gift of peace, and you’ll never know how much we will treasure that.

No, thank you, Helga returned, hugging the young woman. Thank you for forcing me to look at how I choose to live my life. I will be forever grateful that I have had the opportunity to meet the family of dear friends that I lost in the war. I only thought of myself all these years, only how hard it would be to revisit these painful memories. But tonight has shown me that it is possible to get past the hurt and move on, especially when you reach out and accept the help of a friend. Affectionately smoothing Judy’s hair, Helga continued with a smile, You and your mother remind me of your grandfather, both in looks and mannerisms. You also have his kindness, his gentleness. I’m sure that your grandfather is looking down on you now with much pride.

Her throat clogged with tears, Judy could do nothing more than hug Helga tightly, as her mother and grandmother simultaneously reached for a tissue.

Will you join us tomorrow? Judy asked.

Helga hesitated. I don’t know, she answered. I’m not very comfortable at family gatherings, she explained. And I don’t know about your customs --- I wouldn’t want to do anything inappropriate.

“So then you’ll learn!” Marta exclaimed. “It would be our pleasure to share our customs with you!” Sharon and Judy echoed their agreement.

Sensing Helga’s hesitation, Judy squeezed her hands before signing to her, I can imagine how being at a family gathering would make you sad, thinking of the family you no longer have. But we just want you to know that you will always be a special part of our family. Passover is a holiday about redemption and about freedom…it’s a time to remember the past and share it with others to ensure our future. If my grandfather were here, I know he’d be honored to have you be a part of that by welcoming you as a part of our family.

This time it was Helga who reached for a tissue before giving Judy her answer. With an offer like that, how could I refuse? she signed to Judy. Thank you for the invitation---I would be honored to attend.

“Wonderful!” Marta exclaimed, giving Helga a hug. Then, she exaggeratedly signed to Helga, I just hope you like to eat dry brisket!





~ ~ ~ FIN ~ ~ ~

What a wonderful story, Ronna, and it fit in so well with the theme of Redemption--perfect!!! I'll admit that I wasn't quite ready for it to be over yet! Amazing job--thank you for taking us on this journey!

I'm gonna have to that, because it's exactly what I was thinking! It might be a nice springboard for a sequel, you know... would be wonderful to see more from you!!!

Ronna, I just love this story and the history you are weaving into the storyline. Helga's emotional struggle is so real and intense...you have captured it well!

Jill

It's over? Already?

So - when ya gonna write more? huh? huh? huh?

Ronna you did an amazing job of weaving the past with the present and not losing any emotion from either time frame. That was a beautiful story and I'm sure for many people a real story - great work!

Ronna, that was such a touching, emotional journey. Thank you for sharing it with us!

That was an inspiring story, Ronna, filled with new beginings and past memories, I loved the feast of freedom I felt while reading it and the strong urge I recieved to always remember and never forget.
In exactly one week from today we'll have a memorial day of the holocaust and I already decided to reread this wonderful piece of writing again, it will fit the occasion perfectly...Thank you!

Thank you, Ronna. Your writing is incredibly inspiring.


gracie

Ronna, this is so beautifully written - I cried through most of it, especially at the end when Helga and Marta and her family found peace and understanding!!!

Thank you so much for sharing this incredible tale with us!!!

Joy

Wow. That was awesome. True redemption and healing, letting go... You did such a great job bringing the story to its fruition. I still have tears lingering...*sniiiiifffff*

I can't believe I didn't post on this...I thought I had! I have noodles for brains! I found this an incredibly touching story. It was riveting especially when I stopped to realize that people lived through this, survived and went on to rebuild their lives. I cried when Helga recounted going back to ther home only to find it taken over by squatters. To have survived all that and then be treated so coldly...it's just incomprehensible. This was an incredible story and I hope you bless us with more in the very near future.

kav

This is such a beautiful and inspiring story! I'm so happy to see a story involving Helga. I'm so glad Helga has finally started to heal and has helped others in the process. Thanks for sharing this incredible story!

Thanks to everyone for their kind comments! I'm very flattered. It means a lot to me that my story touched so many of you as it did me as I was writing it. Thanks again for the encouraging words!

This was such a good story

Thank you for sharing

That was a wonderful story....

glad helga went to judy's.
i think she got some much needed peace and closure. glad she had more ppl to share her burden with that really understood.