by
Catherine
Grosskopf
Forwarded
From German Cultural Society, St. Louis
Today I place a bouquet of flowers on your grave, as a sign of my love
for you.
The years have passed by so quickly; one year followed another -
almost unnoticed. Your life had not been an easy one, you experienced
two wars, the loss of your husband, in WWI, WWII brought you more
sadness in losing your family to the west, and being dispossessed of
everything you ever worked for. Your forced resettlement to the
Baragan Steppe, at the age of seventy, (where you lost your second
husband) and your return after five years, stripped you of all
dignity. Yet, you remained strong and faithful.
The return of your family to their former home was impossible. Our
hearts were filled with sadness, knowing that you and the other
elderly were left behind and unaided.
By now, the sun has faded your name on your headstone. The letters
filled with moss are unclear. I will clean them and make them readable
once more. Today I have come back to thank you for all you did for us
during your lifetime. Your loved ones have found a new home and built
a new life in America, in the way we were taught by you - to be
faithful, honest, hard working and loyal. We became law abiding
citizens and raised our families in the Christian traditions you
placed in our cradle; they were important to you and they are
important to us. We continue to live our lives as you did, respecting
our neighbors and their traditions.
Our family is well and we speak of you often. We want you to know,
that God has blessed us in many ways. I want to tell you of my
admiration and gratitude for you and my ancestors – I will tell my
children and grandchildren of your bravery and loyalty.
As I leave, I’ll say good bye and join the others in my new home in
America.
May you rest in peace and may God grant you everlasting life, of which
you are so deserving. Until we meet again, I remain your loving
granddaughter.
by
Catherine
Grosskopf