I'd like to tell you about my grandfather...

[Jean in Wisc]

I wrote this today, and I decided I wanted my friends on TWTM boards to see if, if you are interested.

We are snowed in here today, and the memories of my roots seemed to flow out of me...

Shades of White (http://www.shadesofwhite.typepad.com/)

[Brenda in MA]

,

[Begonia]

Thank you, Jean. I loved reading the story of your brave grandfather. Although we live in what is probably the most welcoming country in the world, it takes a lot of courage and self-sacrifice to leave one's home and to start a new one on foreign soil. I have a lot of respect for immigrants. My parents came here from Europe in the 1970s.

[Liz CA]

I wrote this today, and I decided I wanted my friends on TWTM boards to see if, if you are interested.

We are snowed in here today, and the memories of my roots seemed to flow out of me...

Shades of White (http://www.shadesofwhite.typepad.com/)

my roots are there too - my grandfather's name was Karl and he had to march for Hitler while my grandmother fled all over Europe with her two children, staying a step or two ahead of Hitler's henchmen. She came from Czechoslovakia (as it was called then) and was not *pure* German.

I was just thinking of my grandmother's garden in Europe where black and red currant grew and I wondered if I could grow them as well. Seems like I am thinking so much more about my family history lately than ever before.

[percytruffle]

Thanks for sharing your wonderful story. It brought back memories for me. We share a common heritage. My paternal great grandparents also came to the US from Germany and also settled in Wisconsin (Marengo) where they raised a family and lived for a few years. The winters in their one room log cabin were too much for them though and the men folk left the ladies in Wisconsin one summer and traveled to most of the US states in search of somewhere to call home. They decided on Rochester, New York and my family roots took hold there.

My family was already established here when both world wars took place, but they had originally decided to leave their homeland to avoid conscription into the German army. My uncle, my dad's twin brother, was a POW in Germany during WWII. That must have been very difficult for my grand parents to endure. He would never speak of it and the experience had devastating effects on his health later in life as he endured severe osteroporosis as a result of the malnutrition in the camps.

I guess this winter weather is very good for conjuring up memories of the past. Blessings to you and your family and I hope your mom is recovering.

Lisa

[strider]

I appreciated reading and musing upon your grandfather's story.

[Ms. Riding Hood]

I loved reading about your grandpa! Thank you for sharing the story.

My own favorite grandpa died last year and my cousin made a really neat photo slide show thing with music. I wanted everyone to see it, even those that didn't know him. It just kind of captured him, you know? Grandpa's are special.

BTW, are those angus cattle out there in the cold? We've got a few hundred of them huddled up outside here, too (one state to the left of you...brrrr!) :)

[Jean in Wisc]

BTW, are those angus cattle out there in the cold? We've got a few hundred of them huddled up outside here, too (one state to the left of you...brrrr!) :)

Purebred Simmental. The better black.

:p;):D

(Just joking)

(Well...)

(Sorta)

(LOL!)

[Beth in SW WA]

Thanks for sharing his story w/ us, Jean. All I can say is "wow"...

[Ms. Riding Hood]

[quote=Jean in Wisc;47948]Simmental. The better black.

quote]


Well, we do sell angusxsim crosses...so I guess they aren't so bad! :)

[readwithem]

Thanks for sharing. Hugs to you as you go through this transition.