School is Great

As the end of the school day approached, Franz and Maria walked to the main street to watch for the children. They didn't have long to wait; they actually heard the bell ring at the elementary school.

Soon they saw Kurt and Brigitta along with Marta and Gretl; they were walking with a lot of other children. As soon as the little girls saw their mommy, they took off running to her. And Maria walked towards them. She engulfed them in her arms as she saw their happy smiles.

"Your smiles tell me you like school."

"We do. And I was chosen to help raise the American Flag on the flag pole."

"That's really special, Marta."

"Gretl, what did you do today?"

"In music class, I sang about my favorite things. And everyone added their favorite thing. My teacher really liked the song."

"I'm so proud of both you."

Maria looked up at Kurt and Brigitta. "Did you enjoy school too?"

"Yes mom. Before our history class we talk about current events. Our teacher, Mister Donaldson, told us about the aspirations of a man named Adolph Hitler. He wants all of Europe, including Austria, under his control. Is he the reason we left?"

"Yes it was, Brigitta. We rushed to leave and board the train to Italy because your dad's military mind told him we needed to. After dinner I'll share with everyone a verse of scripture to calm our fears. Do you have any homework?"

"No, we won't have homework until next week. Do you think Katia has a snack for us? Lunch was a long time ago."

"I think she still has some apples, Kurt." Franz answered.

"I'll run home and find out."

Kurt took off; Maria and Franz laughed. The other children snickered. And Maria heard. "I'll stay here and wait for the high school students. You can go back to the house with the others."

"Thanks Franz."

Maria held Marta and Gretl's hands and followed Brigitta who was already walking towards the house. Isabel was waiting under the portico.

"Your famished son told me he could have an apple. He devoured it in three or four bites and just asked if he could have another one."

Maria laughed."You can tell him yes; I doubt two apples will keep him from eating his dinner."

Now it was Isabel's turn to laugh; she also knew about his two o'clock in the morning cry when he was a baby.

Only Brigitta ate an apple; Marta and Gretl told Maria they weren't hungry. They found another puzzle to put together; Brigitta found her place in the book she was reading and curled up in a big chair to read.

In about forty minutes the silence of the room was broken by the voices of the high school students. Maria immediately asked.

"Did all of you enjoy your school?"

"Oh yes, Mom." Friedrich answered. "It has all the classes I need to become a research scientist."

"I know that pleases you."

"And I'm in a great writing class. I already have an idea for a story."

"Terrific, Louisa."

Liesl was last. "In our history class we discussed world news. Our teacher, Mister Florentine, told us about the German man, Adolph Hitler and how he is treating Jewish people.

"It saddens me as well.

"As I told Brigitta, I found a Bible verse which we can say daily; it's like a prayer. I think it will help all of us believe the righteous will prevail. Do you have homework?"

"Yes, it's to read the newspaper so we can contribute to our class discussion of current events. Is today's paper in the living room?"

"No. Franz put it away. You can tell him your homework is to read the paper; he'll give it to you."

And Maria thought. I need to tell Georg so he won't be alarmed.

Franz really wasn't too surprised Liesl needed to read the newspaper for school. He told her. "I'll keep it in the foyer for you."

"And I'll tell Friedrich and Louisa; they need to read it too."

She met them upstairs changing their clothes and told them where Franz would keep the newspaper. They went back down and found the paper and each had a chance to read it before their dad came home.

Georg had seven children waiting in front of the house eager to speak to him. "Wow? What a nice welcome home!"

"All of us have things to tell you?" Brigitta told him.

"You may need to wait until after dinner; I'm sure Katia has it ready. I'm later than usual; my last meeting was very long."

"We can wait." Friedrich reassured him.

"And I'll hurry to change."

Maria followed him. "You need to know our older children need to read the newspaper everyday to be able to contribute to their class discussion of current events. They discussed today's news. And I found a Bible verse to use as a daily prayer."

"I knew you find something appropriate. Now may I have a kiss; it's been too long since this morning's kiss."

"My husband, the romantic, deserves at least one kiss now with more to come later as I promised."

"I like the way you think."

The couple engaged in passionate kissing before Georg realized they had to stop. They were all smiles as they took their seats in the dining room. Liesl noticed but she didn't say anything. She was thinking about a time in her life when she would be that happy with the man she loved.

The blessing was said; the food passed. And the family completed the meal with a piece of apple pie. And Kurt announced.

"This pie was really good. Please make it again."

"I can. The clerk at the food store told me this was apple season."

Katia saw smiles on everyone. And as soon as the dishes were washed and put away everyone gathered in their living room to share the events of the day.

The most difficult question for Georg to answer was from today's newspaper about the treatment of Jewish people by Germany's new leader, Adolph Hitler. He gave the only answer he knew.

"In the Bible Book of Genesis it is written that Evil entered the Garden and the world has had Evil in its midst ever since. Evil is in the mind of Adolph Hitler. Simple put, he doesn't like Jewish people. The good and the righteous people of the world will do their best to protect them."

"And I found a verse in scripture us to remind us God's protection. It comes from The Book of Ephesians.

Draw your strength from the Lord and from his mighty power. Put on the armor of God. So you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the Devil.

"It means the Lord will give us strength to do anything; and our armor is the protection God gives us when we pray. I'm sure the President prays for wisdom to make good decisions to be able to withstand the tactics of the evil in Hitler's mind."

"Yes Maria, I'm sure he does. Now let us sing some songs to clear our minds of all this evil talk."

They sang the Hills are Alive song; the song which reconciled Georg with his children. And the song Edelweiss which ends with asking blessings for the country they left.

And quietly everyone left their living room for their bedrooms. Maria read a short story to the girls and the other children turned their light off and found sleep came quickly.