Today Pegman walks through Córdoba, Argentina.
Feel free to stroll around the area using the Google street view and grab any picture you choose to include in your post. Use it to inspire you however you like. We ask that as a token of respect for your readers that you keep your piece to 150 words or less.
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I didn’t think I’d have time to write for Pegman this week, but when the muse says “write it” I must obey. This week marks the 79th anniversary of Kristallnacht so it’s where my mind and heart went this week. The following story is based on the experience many Jewish descendants (myself included) have had.
Shalom
This picture from the Cordoba, Argentina speaks ‘olive branch of peace’ to me.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Word Count: 150
LEGACY
Rosita’s grandparents had managed to survive Ravensbrück and Auschwitz. In 1945 they immigrated to South America where they built a new life. Ingrid’s grandfather emigrated from Germany the same year.
With a myriad of conflicting emotions, Rosita watched the newscast beside her best friend. A bunker had been unearthed in the Argentinian jungle loaded with Nazi artifacts, not too far away.
Although the apprehension of war criminals in Argentina was hardly news to the twenty-year-old college student, the discovery of the hideout unearthed a hidden truth. The direct descendant of one of her grandparents’ torturers now begged for absolution.
“Lo siento con todo mi corazón,” said Ingrid, her fair cheeks wet with tears streaming from her ocean-blue eyes.
What an esqueleto to tumble from the armario. Rosita’s heart ached for her friend who was as much a victim as the Jews. What could she say?
“Perdono con todo mi corazón.”
Glossary:
Lo siento con todo mi corazon. – I’m sorry with all of my heart.
Esqueleto – skeleton
Armario – Closet
Perdono con todo mi corazon. – I forgive with all of my heart.
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
Such a touching and hopeful story. Glad these two friends can see past the past. A fitting picture you found!
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Dear Karen
As I’ve said, I’ve experienced a version of this story firsthand. There’s so much guilt and remorse felt by the descendants of Nazis. Thank you for your kind comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great story. There were victims in many countries and South America, I believe, still holds many secrets concerning Nazi war criminals.
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Dear Jan,
There are so many secrets surrounding the Nazis I wonder if we’ll ever know them all. It seems, even all these years later there’s more to learn and be sickened by. Thanks re my story, m’luv.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great story, Rochelle. I sometimes think of the war criminals who walk around free from consequences of their actions. Are they psychopaths untouched by conscience? Or were they unwilling conspirators who “were only following orders?” There is a scene in Marathon Man when the Nazi doctor Szell is having a diamond appraised and realizes that he had operated on the man he is talking to. The man says “Do I know you?” Szell, a psychopath, is only concerned with being caught. But I wonder at the many others, from townspeople to guards, who went on to live peacefully. What happened when they saw their accusers? What did they feel? Shame, remorse, guilt? Thanks for the contribution this week 😉
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Dear Josh
I’ve often pondered these say questions. Your comments put me in mind of an episode of the Twilight Zone called Death’s Head where Nazi captain comes face to face with his past. Arguably one of my all time top ten favorite TZ episodes.
Thank you re my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Such a chilling snippet of the episode. As if it would ever be possible to forgive such as him…
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Dear Dale,
The most chilling thing about that episode is the fact that the captain has no remorse. The Holocaust was still pretty fresh in everyone’s mind when that TZ episode aired in 1961. Chilling indeed. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Awful. Just simply awful.
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Kristallnacht is a beautiful word (to me) but its meaning and what happened that night are horrific and unforgivable. I didn’t realize this week was the anniversary of that horrific night. I love how you brought these two friends into your story. May there be hundreds more like them. We need that now.
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Dear Lish
Kristallnacht or crystal night is a beautiful word…alas it has come to mean a night of horrors. I didn’t realize this was the week until I started writing my FF story for the coming week. (oops..spoiler alert…my “secret’s” out)
I have a few German friends and they still carry the guilt and remorse. As far as I’m concerned these are as much the victims as my own people. There needs to be reconciliation on so many fronts, doesn’t there? Thank you for your comments re my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I remember reading/learning about WW II when I was in grade school. Maybe 8 or 9 years old? Knew few to no details but remember being terribly embarrassed about being of German descent. (My parent’s grandparent’s immigrated years before). Still with little knowledge of what had truly happened, there was much weight on my whimpy shoulders. Ask the nuns? NOT!
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so beautiful and such grace!!!!
Perdono con todo mi corazón
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Muchas gracias,, Yvette. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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de nada
🙂
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What a horrible situation for two friends to be in. I wonder if such a drama has ever played out. Good on Rosita for having the heart and the wisdom to realize her friend was a different kind of victim. Great tension in this and I love that you wrote a lot of it in Spanish.
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Dear Eric,
It would be a difficult situation. I do know that there are many second and third generations of Nazis who bear the shame and are grief-stricken by it. I wouldn’t be surprised if this story hasn’t played out in real life. And as the saying goes in fiction, “Why not?” Muchas gracias, mi amigo.
Shalom y paz,
Rochelle
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A very touching story. And nice language skills!
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Thank you for a lovely comment, Ali.
Shalom
Rochelle
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Very moving story, Rochelle, and one that touches the heart of what it takes to move forward from such atrocities – forgiveness.and an ability to leave the past to the past, never forgetting, but wanting to live for the future. Movingly told
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Dear Lynn,
The time for forgiving and moving on is now…so it doesn’t happen again. Thank you for your kind comments. 😀
Shalom
Rochelle
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Very true, Rochelle. My pleasure
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Dear Rochelle,
It is unfair for the generations to follow to actually feel the guilt of there forefathers; that said, it is truly an act of grace to ask for forgiveness anyway and especially to give it.
True friendship.
Oh, and, as per usual, a fabulously told story that I so believe could take place.
Lotsa love,
Dale
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Dear Dale
I truly feel for those descendants. This story, although not exactly the way I wrote it, is taking place a lot these days. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom
Rochelle
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I can well imagine it is. It is a beautiful thing- as long as there is love and not a carry-over of the hate.
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A good story following the prompt, Rochelle. Thanks for the translations. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Thank you, Suzanne. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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This is such a poignant story, Rochelle. An important reminder that every group of people has encountered suffering, and that no group is superior or inferior to any other.
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Dear Magarisa,
If only people could see the beauty of our diversity instead of seeing it as a threat. In 80 years have we learned anything? Thank you.
Shalom
Rochelle
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Exactly. You are most welcome, Rochelle.
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Dear Rochelle
You bring humanity to the inhumane. Forgiveness floats between every word when hatred and anger could so easily weigh it down. I love that last line. Amen.
Shalom
Kelvin.
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Dear Kelvin,
The weight of your compliment brings a smile in the early morning and warms the chill. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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This one renews faith in humanity and brought tears to my eyes. Beautifully done Rochelle
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Dear Dahlia,
Comments don’t get much better than that. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Awesome blog… Glad to be here…
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Thank you, Khanindra
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Most welcome… Hope to visit again..
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That is a great deal of graciousness and forgiveness, Rochelle.
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Beautiful and so sad, yet it has a hopeful ending. Asking for and granting Forgiveness is the key which will help them both move on.
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