Sharing the Secret
The couple's romantic moments made them sleep like babies. Babies who woke before the first rays of the sun were visible. They both knew that Stefan and Phillip started their day early. They would do their morning chores and then join the family for breakfast. Georg wanted to speak with them first.
As the couple woke, each of them had a strange feeling come over them; they both felt the weight of their knowledge in the bottom of their stomachs. They turned to face each other. Georg's arms went under his wife and they embraced. Each in turn whispered, "I love you."
Georg added. "Those words hold a different meaning now that we're married. I recall the reading of the scripture from Corinthians at our wedding. It told us that love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things and endures all things."
"I too remember. It's also written there that love never fails. We may also have faith and hope but the greatest gift God gave us is love. Georg, darling, its love which will bind us together and that same God will give you the words to explain our future to the others."
"And I'm so blest to have you for my wife. We should get dressed. I don't want Stephan and Phillip to get an early start today."
Neither took long to bathe and dress. The couple embraced and kissed again before leaving the master suite. Georg took Maria's hand as they walked down the stairs. He gave it a squeeze as they approached the kitchen and heard the men's voices. Franz was also there. He immediately suspected Georg had something very important to tell them.
Georg didn't make them wait. "Isabel and Katia, please sit with us so I can share my news."
The two ladies' faces spoke their concern, gone were their radiant smiles. And now they felt as if they had been kicked in their stomachs. They did as Georg had requested.
Georg began. "I'm afraid the world as we know it is about to change. I'm sure each of has read the newspaper recently. I know the editor has told his readers about this man, Adolph Hitler; an Austrian who is now the Chancellor of Germany.
"I first heard about him when I gave my talk at the university. There's no easy way for me to tell you this man's intentions. He plans on reuniting Austria and Germany as they once were many years ago."
The ladies eyes opened wide; neither could speak. It was Stefan, who had inhaled deeply so he could speak what he knew the others had thought.
"Then you would have to serve in their navy."
"You are correct and you also know I would never do that. My friends, we must leave Austria before this happens."
"Georg, you are speaking very calmly; you must know how we are leaving."
"I do Stefan; Maria knows too. I was recently introduced to a man who first met us when we went to see Salzburg before Christmas. He was at the cathedral where we heard the choirs singing.
"I'm also sure you don't know that Ralph is the head of Austria's Secret Police or that Helmut has a German General who has been keeping him informed of Hitler's plan. Ralph told me before our wedding this union will won't happen until sometime next year. We're going to leave here well before that.
"My friends, the way we will leave is unconventional; we will sing our way to freedom. We will leave Europe for America. That man I met at the cathedral happens to be a government official who's in charge of the Salzburg Music Festival. His name is Maximillian Detweiler. He wants us to sing there.
"There are three prizes awarded. The top prize is a singing tour all over Europe. He's positive we would win that prize. When we go on tour, we wouldn't come back. We would continue on to England where we will board a cruise ship to take us to America.
"The reason I know this plan will work is the fact there is an American living in Bern Switzerland who has already helped many Germans already leave for America. Please keep this to yourselves for now. Maria and I will think of a way to tell the children."
"Georg, let us know if we can help. When is this festival?"
"In about eight weeks, Isabel, Max told me he would come to the villa soon and help Maria arrange a shorter version on the Doe-Ray-Me song. The song Liesl learned and has played for Maria is also one of the festival songs. Maria and I will sing a duet; it's also a song we both know, Edelweiss.
"What about all our friends?"
"All of them will be given safe passage, including my crew from our last mission. I'm not sure if they will travel with us to America but my gut tells me they will."
Georg and Maria could both tell the gravity of the plan had sunk in. Maria tried to help with a reminder. "I am sure God has plans for us; He will be our leader. We must have faith."
"Thanks for that reminder Maria. Phillip and I need to leave before the children find us here."
"And Maria and I should leave for my study. The children usually look for us there."
And so the day began.
Adults know ways to compartmentalize things they know and don't want to share. So when the children came to Georg's study, they didn't suspect anything unusual. Their mama and papa greeted them with smiles. All the children were happy and Kurt was ready to eat breakfast.
No one, except Stefan and Phillip hurried away from the table. They had things to do in the garden. Georg had no class to teach and Maria was giving the children a break from their lessons, although they were still encouraged to read.
Maria didn't keep the children in the villa, this day and almost every day they spent many hours outside. And many games of kickball were played and there were lots of walks to the lake. Kurt, Louisa and Friedrich also helped in the garden by planting, lettuce, radish and green pepper seeds. Brigitta would come inside and could usually be found in the library reading. And the little girls either colored or played with their Christmas presents.
Georg spent time in his study. Many of the things he had brought from Vienna were in a box. He had all the photographs; including those taken on his wedding day and many pictures of the children. And in the box were all the children's birth certificates and all the medals he had received. He took them and placed them all in a satchel.
He knew his Maria Theresa Cross was in his dresser drawer and the picture album of his and Maria's wedding was also up there. They would be packed in their suitcase for the tour. Georg would also find a place for the Austrian Flag which now hung near the dining room. He knew he had to come up with a reason he was taking it down. He was sure Brigitta would need one.
During this time, Liesl and Maria spent a lot of time practicing the new song. Liesl would learn it so well she didn't even need the music anymore. And Maria had the words memorized.
Isabel and Katia would leave the kitchen every time they heard the beginning chord to listen. The lyrics spoke to them; it reassured them about the plan.
Franz had been alerted that Max could come any day to help with preparations for the festival. So on a Friday, about two weeks later, Franz wasn't totally surprised to hear the doorbell ring.
He opened it to find an impeccably dressed man standing there. He heard. "You must be Franz. I'm Max. Is Georg home?"
"Come in, Max and yes I am Franz and both Georg and Maria are home. I'm not sure where they are."
They had been in Georg's study and Georg had come out when he heard the doorbell. "Max, I guessed it was you who rang our bell. Welcome to our villa, Maria's in my study. We were practicing our song with Maria's guitar."
"That song is perfect for guitar accompaniment."
Maria had heard another voice; she came to see who it belonged to.
"Hello, Maria, I'm Max Detweiler. So you have another talent besides your beautiful voice."
"My voice is a gift from God. The guitar takes practice. It's not easy to learn; it's taken me years to easily remember all the chords."
"Georg, have you told the adults?"
"Yes, it was quite a shock especially for the two ladies."
"Let me meet the children; I think I have a way to tell them about the festival so they won't be scared. One of the things we need to do soon is have costumes made for them. Nothing fancy, I was thinking about matching peasant dresses for the girls and you, Maria. And the boys will need a lederhosen outfit. And you Georg should wear a Logan green suitcoat. The judges like groups who look professional. I've been told you had dresses made for the girls for your wedding."
"Yes, the dress maker at the fabric store made them for me. They were much too fancy for me to attempt to sew them."
"Then I'll get in touch with Thelma; I'm sure she has their measurements."
"And I'll go find the children; it will take me a few minutes,"
"Maria, Max and I will wait in the living room."
"That kind of a room is new to me."
"Maria named it. We're sure it was once a ballroom. We bought in another sofa and a couple of chairs so there would be seating for all of us. There's also a table for playing cards or board games. It's truly a room we live in."
"Very nice use of a space which is rarely used."
"And we use it all the time."
It did take Maria a few minutes. The boys and Louisa had to clean-up; they had been in the garden. Marta and Gretl insisted on finishing their coloring pages. Brigitta was found with her nose in a book and Liesl was in the music room practicing scales.
She asked. "Why do you need me to come with you?"
"We have a visitor; he wants to meet all of you."
Liesl knew better than to ask why. She went with her mama. The others had waited in the hall. They went as a group to meet Max.
They were silent as they walked towards the living room. Even Georg hardly heard them when they entered.
"Children, this is a friend of mine who wants to meet you. His name is Maximillian Detweiler, he's a government official in charge of music and culture."
"Hello, sir; why do you want to meet us?" Brigitta asked.
"Because I want to tell you something very special. Last year, before Christmas, I spoke with your father when you visited the Christkindlmarkt. Does anyone remember listening to choirs singing on the cathedral steps?"
"I do, sir. And we sang along."
"That's correct, young lady. I heard you that day and I told your father you sang better than some of the choirs who had sung there that day; so well that I have invited you to sing at the Salzburg Music Festival."
"Papa, did you accept his invitation?"
"I did Liesl. Max came today to help your mama arrange a shorter version of the Doe-Ray-Me song for you to sing there."
Max noticed the children were all smiles; the idea of singing before people didn't alarm them. He went right to work.
"Maria, do you use a pitch pipe to give the children the first note of a song?"
"I haven't but it's probably a good idea to use one at the festival."
"Children, I have mine with me. I want the first note you sing of the Doe-Ray-Me song to be the note for the word Doe. Let me show you."
Max blew into this flat shaped round device and the children heard the sound of the D on a piano. He went on to explain.
"When you hear the tone, you should hum it silently. And then immediately begin to sing the song. I'm sure you can do it. Let's do it once."
The children's faces told Max they were eager to learn something new about singing.
Max blew into his device; waited a second or two and heard all the children begin in unison with the sound of the D, which of course was sung as Doe. And then without being told they sang all the other notes. They stopped after they had sung the line, a drink with jam and tea.
Max explained. "Here, Maria and I will add an ending for the song. Probably a repeat of the last line you just sang.
"And children, your mama and papa are singing a duet to the song Edelweiss. All of you will sing along with them the second time they sing it. And your mama will also sing a solo with Liesl playing the music on the piano.
Liesl immediately spoke. "Oh my, I never expected this."
"Your mama and I had to keep it a secret; we didn't want you to get scared thinking about performing in front of an audience. And I know you have learned it so well you don't need the music anymore."
"Your father's right. Liesl, when you're on stage you hardly see the audience; the spot light which will be on you and your mama will blur them. When we practice there you will learn this is true.
"I know all of you children have listened to them sing the Climb Every Mountain song. I'm sure you know all the words."
Louisa answered him. "We do."
"Liesl, your mama and papa and all of your brothers and sisters will repeat the last verse of the song as the end of your performance. Let's go to your music room and practice."
Liesl took her place on the bench; Maria stood behind the piano. They sang the song perfectly. After a very slight pause, all of them joined in singing the last verse which ends with the words, follow every rainbow till you find your dream.
Max was ecstatic. "I can't believe this. You sang so well."
All of them, including Georg and Maria, held big smiles.
Liesl spoke for her siblings. "We'll practice every day; we want to be perfect. Sir, how long is it until the festival?"
"Just six weeks and I have a request. All the people I have taught have always called me by my first name. Maybe you should call me Uncle Max."
"Can we Papa?"
"If that's what Max wants to be called, it's fine with me."
"Good, I better to get back to the hall. The committee meets in an hour. Georg, I'll be in touch often."
The two men walked to the front door; the children chatted with Maria.
"Mama, this is so exciting."
"I'm glad to hear, Friedrich. Your papa and I are both pleased."
"Can we practice the new way to sing the Doe, Ray, Me song?"
"We can. I don't have my pitch pipe but we can use the note from the piano to begin it."
Maria was very glad they were so eager to learn this new version of a song they already knew. She struck the note on the piano as the children listen. She could tell they were listening very carefully and seemed to be following Max's instructions. They must have. They began to sing the note and the song perfectly.
And they surprised her when after the last word, jam, they instinctively repeated tea with jam and bread and then began to split into two groups and sang it like a round, a technique Maria had taught them with a simpler song.
"Very good, children, I think what you just sang is exactly what Uncle Max had in mind."
"I hope he will come back soon so we can sing it for him."
"Liesl, I don't think he will wait very long before he returns. Let's practice our song. The rest of you need to be prepared to join us."
And that's what they were doing when Georg found them. And he joined them as they sang the last verse.
"Papa, we also know the ending for Doe, Ray, Me song. Mama thinks it was exactly the way Uncle Max wants it to be."
Georg was now convinced the children had been given their musical talent by God; a God who would use it to ensure that others would hear them and be inspired. He knew that regardless of the language which was used, all the people of the earth would hear the words in their hearts. Later Maria would tell him that music was a mighty weapon which could be used to find peace.
The adults began to make preparations for leaving their home and the country they loved as much as Georg did. Maria would reassure them. She told them.
"Material possessions can be replaced but we will always have our faith. We go forth to bring joy to a world which, I'm afraid, will be in darkness very soon.
"On our trip to Salzburg, I taught the children a new song. It will be most appropriate to sing as we travel. The song, This Little Light of Mine, will be our beacon."
And it would be incorporated in the song list for their concerts in Europe which Max and Maria would begin to prepare.