Lara had arduously tried to find the missing link, desperately searching the answer she was looking for. It was all about her grandparents she had never known, just heard some stories of various nature. Who really were they, what did they look like? Lara held a faded picture in her hand wondering if the man and woman on it were her grandparents, she found a note attached to it, her hands started shaking. Why? Was she afraid to find the truth of their…..
The winter had been long and fierce at times. Emma and Franz had been busy preparing for spring and had not paid much attention to anything else, their work was laid out for them, clothing had to be mended, tools to be repaired. Max the old dog went to the door and started barking, how did he know that spring had arrived! Flock of birds soared through the air. Most of the snow had melted, small white flowers peaked through…..
Emma and Franz had been busy preparing for spring. It had been a harsh winter with snow storms, gusts of wind creating snowdrifts around the house. The sunny days started to tame the winter, Emma and Franz felt that the turmoil in their life also had subsided, there was happiness and contentment in air, happiness that developed in trust and tenderness. From the long and beautiful icicles, which almost reached the window sill, crystal clear drops fell on the…..
Franz had started to weave baskets, large enough for harvesting apples next fall. The orchards were slumbering under the thick layer of snow, only some larger branches still sticking out and swaying in a slight breeze. The heavy snowfall had turned all around into a winter wonderland. Emma kept busy knitting socks, mending torn clothing and preparing meals. They both appreciated the harmonious existence between them, the tenderness and understanding, they never engaged in questioning each other, just accepted as…..
Ice flowers formed on the window pane, the snowbanks shimmered in the setting sun. Emma and Franz were snowed in. It turned colder in the house, Franz went to the fireplace to add another log. In quiet they looked through the frosty window wishing that the setting sun would take the memories of their dire days with it, wishing that the sunrise in the morning would bring hope and happiness. The nights had grown longer, there were not many chores in the winter,…..
The autumn had arrived, the crops were gathered from the field, Emma and Franz reaped the reward of their hard work, they had zealously worked side by side. They felt good, they felt that they had achieved a goal, they felt that now there was a reason to live, to look forward to the next day and continue their track together. The weather turned colder, powerful, cold gusts of wind blew in their faces as they were returning from their…..
Franz and Emma were sitting in quiet, reminiscing of their ordeals. They both had different hardships, now they had to accept, evaluate and find a way to go on. Both wore scars, their track had been turbulent, and they both had stoicism to beat the odds and start new life again, together. Emma and Franz needed the quiet moment, finally it gave them both the long needed peace. Their plight had been volatile, the daunting experiences had been erratic for both…..
Emma and Franz were sitting in silence embracing the moment. They both needed love, kindness and acceptance, but also someone to love, to share good and trying times. They both have been scarred from their suffering and grief, the nature of their traumatic experience were not nearly the same, the nature of the source was different. Pain cannot be measured, a profound emotional happening would penetrate and rip the strongest person apart. Where does one get the strength to persevere…..
Franz was watching Emma sleep. Her face bore deep lines from all the suffering that she had endured during the dire years, the loss and grief, it had taken its toll. Emma did not have a restful sleep, she was tossing and turning, tears running down her face. Franz was very concerned, she appeared to be choking. Franz put his arms around Emma, he wanted to help her, but how? He was just a stranger who had been saved by Emma in his…..
Emma’s life had always been challenging. In retrospect, she had always to take care of herself, as far as she remembers. Emma had become an orphan when she was six years old, her mother had become very ill and died, her father never came back home from his fishing trip, all she had left was her sister, Olga. Olga was a fine, loving sister and took good care of Emma, the work on the farm was overwhelming. Olga decided to go…..