Prologue

Within the boundaries of the Austrio-Hungarian Empire lived a man named August Trapp. He was a Naval Officer with a distinguished career. He was elevated to the nobility and his full name became August Ritter von Trapp.

He had two sons; Werner who died in an early war of the twentieth century and Georg (Ludwig) Johannes, who would go on to have a distinguished naval career of his own. His early accomplishments were notably lauded. His courageous exploits aboard an armored cruiser brought fame to the junior officer.

Soon he found his real love; submarines. He was given command of the very vessel which his one day wife had christened. He took this crude vessel into enemy waters. His heroic deeds in the depths of the seas were nothing short of miracles. He was awarded the Maria Thespian Cross for his meritorious and valorous acts. He was often referred to as, the dread of the Adriatic (sea).

He had helped the Austrio-Hungarian Empire defeat the enemy at sea but it was not to be for the land war. The opposing countries were successful; a treaty was negotiated which brought an end to the war. Austria as Georg knew it was no more; Austria was forced to revert back to its German borders; its seacoast was taken away. There was no more navy.

Captain Georg von Trapp was devastated; the sea, the Navy had been his life. He felt like death had robbed him of his life. He would soon learn this was only the first blow.

The Captain and his crew had been out of normal contact with their homeland. He came home to an unthinkable event that would take him to his knees.

Horror at Home

Sadness had already engulfed the crew of the submarine; they knew the facts of the treaty. One by one they emerged from the hatch of the submarine; the Captain was the last. He lowered the flag. With the help of two other crew members it was properly folded. The Captain carried it to dry land. It would be in his possession wherever he went as respect for his beloved country.

Neither the crew nor Georg expected any dignitaries to meet them at the port. He could see only three people waiting for them; one was his good friend Max Detweiler. Also waiting with him was another friend, the base commander and the priest who served as a chaplain. Georg thought it was odd for him to be there.

As he walked closer, he noticed a deeper sadness in their eyes than he had seen from his crew. "You're faces speak volumes; tell me."

The Chaplain, Father Gabriel, had offered to speak for the three of them. He began with words which are usually heard by wives and mothers, "Captain, it is with deep regret I must inform you that tragedy struck your home. Your beloved wife Agathe has died. Georg I'm sorry. It happened so quickly; she was a victim of a terrible lung infection. The best doctors fought to save her. They had no medicine; very few have survived."

Georg stood petrified; he was breathless; a sudden coldness penetrated deep inside his core. Then the words began to sink into is cognitive being. Max was closest to him. He grabbed his shoulders and shook him violently. Yelling over and over, "Tell me it's not true." And then these words, "please tell me Max."

Max could offer nothing but silence. Georg let go and collapsed to the ground in a heap. Max saw him reach for his pistol as he screamed. "I must go to where she has gone!"

Before he could take proper hold of it, Max knocked it to the ground. Father Gabriel knelt beside him. "Ending your life would leave your children orphans. Neither God nor Agathe would be pleased."

"Why, why, why Father?" Georg mumbled as he covered his face with his hands; bent over and sobbed uncontrollably.

"It's what became of the world after Adam and Eve were tempted. They took God's perfect world and made it imperfect. You know that. It's the reason for war; they're man-made not commanded by God. Wars and all other things happen because man is imperfect; only Jesus was a perfect man. Those He left behind tried to be like Him; they too were flawed.

"Georg, Max, Isabel and myself plus many others will do all we can to help you. Let us take you home."

Georg's inner self found strength. "May I go to her grave first?"

"Certainly."

It was in the car that Georg asked. "How did she get sick?"

"You know your wife visited the wounded at the Infirmary often. One day men had been admitted with no wounds only extremely high fevers; several died shortly after they arrived. The others coughed and struggled to breath for hours before they too were taken. The doctors know now this was a condition caused by a highly contagious virus; a flu virus. It spreads through particles in the air.

"She must have breathed in some of the deadly particles. Within twenty-four hours her fever went up and she developed those same symptoms. Her breathing was labored as the infection destroyed her lungs. In a matter of hours she could no longer breathe.

"She didn't suffer, Georg. Without oxygen she died quickly. I see we are at the cemetery."

The men all got out of the car. Max stood by his friend. "Max, did you place the flowers?"

"No Georg, I didn't."

"Do you know Father Gabriel?"

"Yes, probably the young lady sitting on the bench by the graves of her mom and dad. She's made it her responsibility to place flowers on all new graves and to say the prayers for the dead. She also sings – listen."

Georg heard the last phrase of her song. And I will dwell in the House of the Lord forever. He listened to her pure voice; every note was clear; every word distinct

"I know I should believe those words. Agathe was too young; her life was cut short."

"Are you blaming God Georg?"

"I suppose I am Father. I was schooled in the Bible. A military man is always at odds with it; especially the Gospels."

Father Gabriel decided not to pursue the matter today. He knew he would have other opportunities to help his friend. Georg had another concern; he changed the subject. "How are the children Max?"

"Quiet, sad, confused; not even Liesl and Friedrich really understand. A day hasn't gone by without tears from all of them. Marta and Gretl are totally withdrawn; Marta doesn't speak and Gretl doesn't even babble anymore.

"No one is eating; they pick at their food. We don't have many alternatives to offer them. Things from the garden don't appeal to them. We haven't had flour or sugar in weeks. Thank goodness we do have eggs to boil and milk to drink.

"Isabel struggled with getting Gretl to drink the boiled milk she prepared. She found some honey to use as a sweetener; it helped."

By now they had arrived at the house – even it looked dead; no children outside running around trying to be the first to see Georg and shout, Papa, Papa's home, and run into his open arms.

Georg was praying he could hold himself together. "Let me go first and see where everyone is."

Georg stood aside for Max and waited with Father Gabriel and Sidney the base commander. He had been silent; it pained him to see his good friend in so much emotional pain. He reassured him. "Georg, I'm here for you; for anything. Never hesitate to come see me. I'll be in touch." He departed quietly.

Isabel had been watching out the window for them. Max saw her as soon as he opened the door. "Where are they?"

"In the playroom – not playing; sitting on the floor each lost in their own thoughts. Gretl took some milk; she's asleep in her crib. Marta's asleep as well. How's Georg?"

"Numb, heartbroken, dreadfully sad – still in a state of disbelief. We stopped at the cemetery. He didn't want to stay long. He did ask about the flowers."

"Was Maria sitting by her parent's grave?"

"She was. She was singing the Twenty-third Psalm. It didn't comfort Georg."

"It's going to take time for all of us. Right now he needs to see the children."

"I know. I'll get him."

Isabel went up to the playroom. "Children, your father's home; he'll be up in a minute."

"Father, you must help me."

"I'll do my best Georg."

They climbed the stairs together. Georg took each stair slow and deliberate. He was in no hurry; he had no idea what to say. He entered the room; five pair of eyes looked at him. Liesl rescued him. "Do you have to go back to the submarine?"

It was painful for him to give a truthful answer. "No children, never; Austria doesn't have a navy anymore."

Kurt was a young boy of seven; he didn't understand. His young mind could only ask "why."

"Kurt, be glad for now that your papa will always be home; someday you will learn all the details."

"Uncle Max is right Kurt." Isabel told him as she moved closer to put her arm around him. She saw his sadness. In barely a whisper he heard. "We're all sad; it's okay to be sad."

Georg looked at the others; he could tell Brigitta was thinking; she was only six but seemed to have a mind of a sixteen year old. "Will you get a job Papa?"

"Someday Brigitta; right now my concern is all of you. We must work through this sadness."

"Your papa's right children; you'll soon see God providing many opportunities. Someone once told me. 'He will open new windows for you to step through.' He also wants you to pray to Him. Remember, He's our Father in heaven; he's always listening. Let's say the Our Father together; it's God's favorite."

He began. "Our Father who art…" And he and the others ended it. "Deliver us from evil. Amen."

Isabel thanked him. "I think we should try and eat a little before we go to sleep. Our neighbors brought us some cornmeal muffins; we have some cured ham and a few berries."

"Good, no eggs tonight; I feel like I was about to cluck like a chicken."

Everyone smiled. Isabel spoke. "Thank you Louisa, we needed to smile. Meet everyone downstairs in a few minutes."

"Come see me anytime Georg. I need to get back to the rectory."

Friedrich led them in the grace before meals. Georg saw in him a new maturity. He was no longer a shy boy of ten.

Before going up to bed Liesl sat beside him. She held his hand. "We prayed your submarine would come home safely; Mama knows you are with us. I've been helping Frau Isabel with Marta and Gretl. When they see you I'm sure Marta will talk again and Gretl will smile and babble."

"Thank you Liesl; you are your mama's daughter. Try and get some sleep."

"You too, Papa."

He had his doubts. He kissed her cheek and watched her walk away. It was Isabel's turn to answer Georg's thoughts. "I know you don't want to sleep in your bedroom. I didn't either after my husband died. I fixed the largest guest room for you. Max moved all of your things. Like me, one day you may find comfort from sitting in there."

"I'm grateful Isabel, thank you."