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Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
A tribute to all the “Uncles and Aunts” who risked their own lives to save others.
SAFEKEEPING
Shira slipped a worn photo of a smiling two-year-old from her pocket that, like she, had managed to survive hell. Had Hans kept his promise? Trembling, she knocked on the cottage door.
It opened. “Danke Gott!” A stout man with ruddy cheeks embraced her. “Ilsa, who is this lady?”
A five-year-old clung to his leg. “I don’t know, Uncle Hans.”
Shira knelt. “Don’t you remember me?”
Ilsa shook her head and stared at the numbers on Shira’s forearm.
Shira’s heart sank. “Oy, meyn kleyn ketzl.”
“Momma katz?” Ilsa threw her arms around Shira’s neck. “I knew you’d come for me.”
*Oy meyn kleyn ketzl – Oh, my little kitten”
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
This is such a beautiful and moving story
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Dear Sadje,
I’m glad my story moved you. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You’re welcome Rochelle. Salam
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😀 ❤
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🙏🏼
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Could the child remember, I wonder? Or was she connecting Shira with an idea?
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Dear Neil,
I think perhaps the child remembered it as in a dream. It could’ve been a game mother and child played….kitten and Momma Cat. I believe those kinds of things stick with us, even as small children. That’s my story and I’m sticking with it. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A story of hope in the darkness.
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Dear Iain,
There are many out there. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Aww, such a sweet story. Wel done.
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Thank you so much, Mason. Good to see you here this morning. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Aww thanks. I’ve been so busy in the woodshop I’ve lost a lot of writing time. It was good to get back at it today.
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Sad but sweet at the same time. Story says so much with so little. I hope they had great lives.
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Dear Tannille,
Thank you for the affirming comment. I think it was a challenge to rebuild as with so many survivors but a good life, nonetheless.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
They say our earliest memories start around the age of two which, for me, makes this story all the more sweet. You tell so much with so few words and I like to think Hans did a wonderful job keeping the memory of Mama Katz alive. Wonderful!
Shalom and lots of held-onto love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
My thoughts exactly. As I told Neil, I believe this was an affectionate game Shira and Ilsa played. While Ilsa forgot what her mother looked like in three years, she remembered the game. And, most likely, she still remembered the pain of being separated from Mama Katz. I also believe Hans did keep it alive.
So glad you picked up the small nuances and cues.
Shalom and lotsa memorable hugs,
Rochelle
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You wrote it so well, how could I not ? 🙂
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Breaks your heart, especially as children are being separated from parents in order to escape a dictator once again! It is an atrocity in and of itself…. sigh…. Good news, my friend, Tatiana made it out with her wee ones to the UK. She’s safe!
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Dear Bear,
I hate what’s going on in the present. I’m praying for two young men who were part of our congregation. Brilliant musicians. They’ve been living with their family in Belarus. One of them has chosen to flee. I haven’t heard anything for the past week and a half. I am worried. I’m happy to hear that Tatiana and her children are safe.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, My heart is sooo sad today. Yesterday, Tatiana passed along that her husband was killed fighting for their freedom. She has decided to stay in Europe for the moment. She can’t get here because the borders are closed. It’s just not right all around. Will be praying for your friends as well. Shalom, Bear
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I’m more than sorry to hear this news, Bear. I haven’t heard anything about the boys. Sending hugs and prayers.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Pray for my hubby, too, will ya. He’s back in the hospital, another possible stroke. Thought it was his sodium, but those levels are good. I’m still of a mind that it has to be a side effect of the seizure med that warns of such, but the neurologist doesn’t want to change the med. Excuse me, but there’s a distinct issue here. and there are many other seizure meds out there…. grrr… maybe ya better pray for me not to go postal.
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😦 I will be praying, Bear. Give the doctor some compassion and wisdom. Hugs.
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Thank you. Shalom!
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Such a dark time in history. Thanks for the link. Informative and sad.
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Dear Jan,
Indeed a dark time. Now another maniac is on the loose and families are being torn apart. Makes a person feel helpless. Thank you, m’luv.
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Glad “Mama Katz” was able to return when so many weren’t – as Tennile said, sad and sweet at the same time.
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Dear Trent,
This story is based on an actual survivor’s story that I heard recently. Although it’s not unique to one family, is it? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh, my heart!
I just watched a film about the involvement of Richard and Sabina Wurmbrandt in WWII. Produced by The Voice of the Martyrs, it’s the story of how they actually helped Nazi soldiers escape from the Russians in the last year of the war, the power of true forgiveness. You may have heard of his story–“Tortured for Christ,” of his later imprisonment by the Russians for his Christian testimony.
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Dear Linda,
I’m quite familiar with Mr. Wurmbrandt’s story. I can’t fathom the depths of his faith. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you, Rochelle, for this. So apt these days, alas, when children are again needing to be sent away, to flee a dictator’s rabid rage, in hopes that there will be safety someplace else, till their families can reunite.
The horrors of WWII are awake in many of us, these days. The people lost. The families decimated. The senseless, awful loss.
And … the moments of hope. And reconnection. And the good, brave people who are there, and always mattered, and still do.
May the insanity end.
xoxo
Na’ama
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Na’ama Y’karah,
I grew up under the shadow of WWII, Not that we all didn’t, but 1953 was only 6 years after the Liberation. The wounds were still fresh and oozing and my mother never let me forget. God bless her for that. Seeing similar things happening today sickens me…as it should. I’m with you, may the insanity end SOON. Glory Ukraine. Never forget.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Yes. I know. I grew up a little later, but the shadow of the holocaust was everywhere, in almost every family I knew. And in my extended one, where so many were lost. If this current Hitlerism-by-Putin did not disturb and trigger and upset and devastate us, then I’d be worried. For it should. And he is hellbent on his Gulag Reich, never mind the human cost, even more so at the human cost. And the gaslighting, too, right out of the Nazi’s book. It is sickening. Never ever forget. Na’ama
Never forget indeed.
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😘👊🏻
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What a horrible situation all the way around. Even the “Uncle” who has been caring for little Shira for three years, over half her life, has to give her back to her mother. That’s not nearly as important as reuiniting a mother and child, but it’s the endless ripples from this stain on humanity.
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Dear Nobbin
I’m sure it was emotional for all involved. Hopefully Shira and little Ilsa kept in touch with Hans who made their reunion possible at great risk.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A reality unspeakably difficult to contemplate ever having to experience, being separated from one’s children in time of war. The happy ending is also unspeakably sad. Good story writing on a tragic reality of wartime 😦
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Dear Lisa,
The saddest war stories are those of the most innocent. Thank you for your sweet comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, yes they are. I actually had a dream last night about Ukraine and plan on doing a collage on what it was. You are very welcome.
Shalom,
Lisa
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What an intense moment that meeting must have been, for all three of the people present. What love.
Thank you for such an uplifting account.
Shalom
Penny
xx
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Dear Penny,
No doubt there were many reunions like this one. Happiness mingled with sadness. Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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So poignant. Catches me in the heart.
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Thank you, Clare. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You reminded me that the tearing apart of families near seems to stop. I feel powerless… to the point of thinking of going to Ukraine to stand with the Ukrainians
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Dear Michael,
I know exactly how you feel. Tragic situation and I feel helpless, too. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Querida Rochelle,
Memories can be recalled in many ways.
In your well-written account, the game is the
common denominator. Touching …
Abrazos y Carino,
Isadora 😎
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Querida Isadora,
Sadly, those who can recount these memories are leaving us. May we keep their memories alive. Gracias, mi amiga.
Shalom y abrazos,
Rochelle
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Because of you, many of those memories and events will continue on. 😍
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A heartwarming tale, presaged by a sense of dread. Lovely, Rochelle. You do this so well.
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Dear Sandra,
Thank you for such an affirming comment. Much appreciated.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Mistress Rochelle,
Another poignant story of reflection into the difficulties of life made more meaningful through lens of hindsight. Well done, M’lady. As always, let there be…
Peace,
Bill.
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Dear Bill,
As usual these days, I’m scrambling to catch up with FF. Thank you for your kind words. I’m glad there are so many videos of firsthand accounts to remind us that the Holocaust did indeed happen. May we never be allowed to forget. Although there are still maniac dictators out there. 😦 Thank you for your encouraging words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hey, Rochelle,
It’s always a pleasure. And thank you so much for all you do. 🙂
Peace,
Bill
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Sweet story!
Shalom,
Ronda
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Thank you, Ronda. ❤
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Love the subtext woven into the story of so few words.
Shalom,
Ronda
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Dear Ronda,
I’m glad you caught the nuances. Thank you again.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Reading the passage about the numbers on her arm, and WOW, this really brings the horrid piece of history back into current history – How horrible it was!
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It was a black place in history. Thank you whoever you are.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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This was such a wicked and evil event in history. Well written Rochelle!
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Thank you so much whoever you are.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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what a pleasant surprise. a heartwarming story indeed.
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Thank you so much, Plaridel.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I wonder how many Ukrainian children will be waiting in Poland for their parents? Sadly a never-ending story.
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True story, Liz.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The past has not been easy for many children, who no doubt never understood why. Unfortunately, it is beginning all over again.
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Dear James,
The children are the most innocent and helpless victims of war. 😦 Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A lovely story. Hope and kindness.
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Thank you, Ali.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It’s wonderful that there were families brave enough to conceal the children. Imagine their constant fear that the child would let their real identity slip. Just horrible. It’s so good to read about this family’s happy reunion. Lovely.
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Dear Margaret,
Thankfully there were those brave souls who risked their own lives to save these children. I can’t imagine what it must’ve been like. Thank you for your lovely comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Love your story
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Dear Ted,
I’m glad you did and took the time to say so. 😀 Happy to see you here.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh.
I love the emotions in this one. The instant recognition might not be there with little ones but with one line she remembered everything. There is hope in this one.
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This is a moving piece about reunion. I’m glad Ilsa remembered.
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