The Roots of Strength
Life can take you unexpected places. It can surprise you, scare you, make you happy and sad. But through it all, the women in my family have always held each other up.
My Oma, mom, sister and me at Caitlin's wedding. |
For her entire young life in Austria, my Oma lived in fear. Her father was able to protect his wife and children to a certain extent, though it did not protect his wife’s family. I had many Jewish family members who were murdered in concentration camps during the Holocaust. One wrong move, or a run-in with someone who didn’t know about her father could have landed my Oma in a dire situation prior to and during the war. Hitler even denied her ability to attend university; she wanted so badly to become a doctor.
At the end of the war, my Oma was working in Germany. Money was meaningless, and food was scarce. She knew if she didn’t go home to Austria, she could die of starvation. However, the borders were closed down at the end of the war, making it impossible to cross them legally. So my Oma did the only thing possible—she crossed the border illegally on foot and bike. She knew it would be extremely dangerous, and she did nearly die of starvation. But she survived. And after, she thrived, marrying an American soldier, had children, moved to the United States and proceeded to work as a civil servant.
When my parents split up months after my little sister was born, my mom was left in a very vulnerable state. Money was scarce. I remember going to bed a few nights hungry, but we were rescued by my Oma and some family friends. My Oma helped us the most after my father left us. Through small acts, she reminded us of our own strength while making sure we had the food, home and other necessities that we needed. It wasn’t always a lot, and sure I grew up in a house where my bedroom was basically a Harry Potter closet, but I was always reminded by my mom that there were many out there who weren’t as lucky as us to have someone who could help.
My mom, sister and I in the early 1990s. (For the record, I hated that hair cut.) |
My Oma and me in the 1980s. |
Through it all, I remember the lessons of my Oma. To find strength within yourself to do what you think is impossible; to lean on those who support you; to treat those who do not look like you, love like you or practice the same religion as you, with respect; to not question or make assumptions about someone because of what side of town they come from or what choices they make for their life; to always help those who are less well off than you because the only way we can make it in this world is to show kindness and to take care of one another—all boats are lifted on a rising tide, my Oma would say. But mostly, that no matter what, an education is the one thing that no one can take from you. My Oma always wanted for her children and grandchildren the one thing she was sorely denied—the chance to go to college and get a degree, making education of huge import in our family.
And while my Oma didn’t get to become a doctor, she did take some classes at a local college once she moved to the States. She knew that continuing to expand your mind wasn’t just expanding your wisdom, but that it could also grow your inner strength. And that value has made for generations of strong and generous women in our family.
Mom, Caitlin and I with Caitlin's baby. |
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