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The next photo is the PROMPT. Remember, all photos are property of the photographer, donated for use in Friday Fictioneers only. They shouldn’t be used for any other purpose without express permission. It is proper etiquette to give the contributor credit.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
1938
“Is this how you remember it, Mom?” asked Ruth.
Naomi hadn’t seen the scenic deutsche Stadt in fifty years. The synagogue had been replaced by a church. Although some shops still existed, her childhood home did not.
She swallowed. “I was ten. Momma gave me a sack of her homemade macaroons for the long journey. She told me, ‘You’ll be safe with Aunt Gertie and Uncle Norman in New York.’
“Poppa crushed me in his strong arms. ‘Momma and I will come for you soon. You’ll see.’
“From the ship I watched them grow smaller and smaller.
“They never came.”
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
A heartbreaking story Rochelle
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Dear Sadje,
This story was true for so many. And for many in todays turbulant times. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Yes, you’re right. Unfortunately, times haven’t made humans kinder.
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😦
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😔
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Going back is always hard. Especially in those circumstances
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Dear Neil,
Hard indeed. I can’t imagine. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It must have been so difficult to give up your children when you were able to. An unthinkable heartbreak for those who waited, or had no safe haven for them anyway. It beggars belief, the depths the human race sank to at that time. An always necessary reminder, Rochelle.
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Dear Sandra,
The desperation that caused these parents to send their children to safe places far away is unimaginable. Thank you for the encouraging and validating comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ohhhh, so very heartwrenching! And oh so very true for far too too many. Great story sharing! Love it as much as I hate it. 🙂 (hugs)
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Dear Bear,
I appreciate your loving and hating my story. The perfect response. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You know me well enough to know what it is that I hate about it…. ‘Man’s inhumanity to man…’~William Riker, StarTrek Next Gen.
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❤️
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🙂
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I was just looking over the photo again, and bejeebers me shivers the girl in the light colored coat just up from the middle post…well, she could be the dopplinger to my Granny at that age. I mean it, seriously… looks just like an old picture I have of her… I’m fried, now, completely!
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😮😘
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A new life, and a chance for life, for Naomi, but at a high cost for her loved ones. A heartbreaking story.
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Dear Trent,
This story is inspired by a book I just read called “Motherland.” It’s a memoir written by the daughter of a woman’s journey to her German childhood home after 50 years. It was heartbreaking. So I’m glad I managed to convey that in my flash fiction. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Touching story!
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Thank you, Reena.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
What a heart wrenching story of parental love and sacrifice.
Shalom,
Adele
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Dear Adele,
Can’t even imagine. It was the ultimate form of parental love. Thank you for your thoughtful comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A heartbreaking story. Rochelle!
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Dear Neel,
Heartbreaking and repeated all too many times. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Such a sad reminder of that time in history. Good story.
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Thanks, M’luv.
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And still topical, as friends here have taken in Ukrainian children and women while fathers and husbands have stayed behind to fight. It never ends.
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Dear Iain,
I fear as long as there are people…Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, tears first thing. Your reading brought the story to life. Can’t even imagine sending my kids off on a ship for a new country knowing I would probably never rejoin with them 😦
I appreciate you using my photo this week. I knew it would generate good storytelling.
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Dear Lisa,
It’s always interesting to me the differences and similarities in stories inspired by one prompt. Thank you for the loan of the photo.
I’m really pleased you enjoy my reading. Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, the creative takes on photos always amaze me. You are most welcome on the loan of the photo. Also for the kind words.
Shalom,
Lisa
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A harrowing tale sensitively told, Rochelle. Sadly, history repeats itself.
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Dear Keith,
History does repeat. 😦 Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Whenever I read about refugees in our current times, and the disdain with which [some] people and politicians treat them, I wonder how desperate you have to be to put your children on a raft, or in a railway carriage, and brave a dangerous journey in the hope of reaching a country where you don’t speak the language. That desperation, and the enduring hope that sits behind it are a part of the human condition, as are the greed, prejudice and hatred that make it necessary. Powerful story, Rochelle.
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Dear Jen,
I can’t imagine the desperation. Thank you so much for your validating comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh, how heartbreaking. At least she remembered their sacrificial love for her, I suppose, sending her away to safety. Beautifully written, Rochelle.
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Dear Brenda,
I recently read of a German Jewish woman’s return to her hometown after 50 years. Sadly, the separation from her parents at the age of 12 to live with an uncaring aunt left her emotionally scarred. After returning with her own daughter, she learned more about her parents’ sacrifice. Thank you so much for kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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History of the period is so personal for many.
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It is indeed, James. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
Parents forced to make these decisions for the safety of their children are heroes of the biggest order. Too many did not manage to join them.
Beautifully done.
Shalom and lotsa heartfelt love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
There are so many more stories like this one. And they just keep surfacing, don’t they? Some have happy endings. Way too many do not. Thank you for your kind comments.
Shalom and lotsa heartfelt hugs,
Rochelle
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Yes, there are. At least their stories are not lost when shared like this 🙂
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A tale all too common among the immigrant communities. I had some uncles who had this exact thing happen.
Riveting. Very riveting.
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Dear Miles,
Thank you for sharing about your uncles. Thank you for kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Well told, Rochelle.
1938 was probably nearing last chances. Past time for many.
Ten years old seems so young.
The plight of refugees, ethnic cleansing, and genocide continues around the world to this day. Such sadness, then and now.
But anyway,
Peace,
Bill
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Dear Bill,
There are so many gut wrenching stories of the lengths parents went to to save their children. Just when I think I’ve read or heard them all, another comes to light.
And I often wonder how close we are to 1939 ourselves. And the circles they go round and round, don’t they?
Thank you for taking the time to read and comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Right, Rochelle.
I worry about it. What percentage of the stories about such things will ever be known?
Peace (please),
Bill
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And the children trains in England. All those littles being sent away from their families and never seeing them again. Children shouldn’t be pawns of war. Well, really, no one should.
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Dear Lish,
One of the most thought provoking comments came from MASH in the OR. Frank Burns flippantly says, “War is Hell.”
Hawkeye counters with “War is war and hell is hell and of the two war is the worst.”
And goes onto say that in Hell there are no innocent bystanders.”
No children shouldn’t be used as pawns, yet they are the worst victims, aren’t they?
Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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i’m afraid nothing has changed. some folks still leave their kids at the border.
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Dear Plaridel,
Somethings change, some things never do and never will. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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This piece is packed with so much; the parents that gave up their daughter to the unknown, the daughter never seeing them again always having that question mark of what they endured, the synagogue erased from the landscape representing the act against the Jewish people that had been there. There’s no escaping the magnitude of wrongness simply conveyed.
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Dear Clare,
Thank you for seeing everything I wanted you to see. As a writer this means so much to me.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Heartrending, all too true story. Thank you for sharing.
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Thank you, Anne. It’s nice to see you here.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh no that is so sad! But at least these two people are here to pass on the history.
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Dear Lilac,
As the survivors of that terrible time are leaving us, I hope and pray there’s someone to pass the history along. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, I can’t imagine the bravery and heartbreak involved in this kind of separation. Many times they were reunited later but I’m sure a million things could happen where families couldn’t find each other again or other accidents happened. Great story. Have a good weekend.
-David
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Dear David,
The stories from that time abound, don’t they? Some with happy endings, but too many with tragic ones. Letting go of grown children and having them live afar off is hard enough. I can’t imagine the heartbreak for all concerned. I hope Hell has a special place for Hitler and his henchmen.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Finding the words, it is almost impossible. Such cruelty was pure evil
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I agree, Michael. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Reality they say can be more sad or scary than any story imagined.
Great story Rochelle.
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Thank you, Chioma.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A sad, heartwrenching story, well told. 🙂
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Thank you, Fleur.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Heartbreaking. Nobody can replace parents.
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Dear Vartika,
Nope. No one can replace parents. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Maybe they did arrive in spirit 🤷
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Perhaps they did, Bernadette. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh this hurts. How very tragic. They truly loved her though.
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Dear Laurie,
It takes true love to make such a sacrifice. Tragic indeed.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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