Their Church Family

Father Joseph had been listening attentively as each person introduced themselves. He was able to identify each one by name. When he came to Georg he also said this.

"The ladies of the church have prepared a meal for you in our Parrish house. We can exit through the side door just off the altar floor. Follow me please."

And Kurt mumbled to his brother. "I was wondering when we would eat, I hope the food is as good as what we had on the ship."

"Kurt, I'm sure it will be."

Stefan, Phillip and Max exchanged smiles but didn't laugh after hearing this conversation. Max did reassure them.

"Boys, my gut tells me it will be just as good."

"Are you hungry too, Uncle Max?"

"I think everyone's a little hungry. And we're about to find out very soon, I see a door ahead of us."

Then Father Joseph told them. "Our big room for social gatherings is in the basement. This entrance opens into a stairwell. It has a rail to use as you walk down them; they're rather steep."

Father Joseph opened the door but Stefan held it open for everyone. They could hear the voices of the parishioners before they arrived in this room.

Maria and Georg were behind Father Joseph. He immediately spoke to the couple who approached him.

"Harold and Eleanor, allow me to introduce you to Georg von Trapp and his wife Maria."

Harold immediately extended his hand to Georg. Their handshake was firm. "Welcome to America, our town and this church. I'm a submarine commander like yourself. I also fought in the Great War.

"I think we both know that Europe is on the brink of another war. I'm sure you saw all the ships in the Navy Yard of Philadelphia."

"Yes and the sailor assigned to us had lessons on America and told us about them. I'm sure you're hoping it will be enough to keep America from sending soldiers to fight in Europe."

"That's exactly what our President is attempting to do; only time will tell us if he's successful. Now let me get everyone's attention so Father can say grace."

Harold used his finger whistle to silence the crowd. Everyone stopped talking. And Father Joseph spoke.

"Please bow your heads.

"Bless us,
O Lord,
and these your gifts,
which we are about to receive
from your bounty.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen."

And the crowd responded. "Amen."

Father Joseph then gave directions. "Please allow our new friends to be first in line to fill their plates."

Then to the group he said. "Don't be shy about asking about the foods you see; the ladies will happily tell you about them."

The group went on both sides of this extra-long table filled with all kinds of food. Between Maria and Isabel were Marta and Gretl. They helped the girls find foods which they thought they would eat.

And now they sat at various tables with other parishioners. Across from Maria and Georg were two couples who introduced themselves. They were Ralph and Audrey Bittinger and Franz and Isabel Isenhart.

And after they had eaten the main meal, everyone went back to the buffet table for dessert. Cakes, cookies and pies of all kinds now filled the table. Many took small servings of various desserts.

After everyone was finished eating, Father Joseph drew the social gathering to a close. He spoke to his parishioners.

"It's been a long day for our new friends. I'm sure all of them will soon be ready for a good night's sleep. I know you will see them in church on Sunday. Till then, may God bless each of you."

The group was allowed to exit first. Georg had told Father Joseph he knew the way to their new home.

Once there, they had a good look at the house with the blue shutters and a slanted roof over the front door. Georg spoke to them.

"Come close so I don't need to shout. Father Wasner doesn't have Holy Water but I want him to say a prayer before we enter."

"A house blessing doesn't really need Holy Water. A simple prayer will do. Please bow your heads. May this home be a place of happiness and health, of contentment, generosity, hope, and of creativity and kindness. May those who visit and those who live here know only blessing and peace. Amen."

Father Wasner made the sign of the cross before he opened the front door. It opened into a small room with a coat rack. The next door entered the main room of the house. Here the family immediately saw a piano; an upright one against a wall in the back. Surrounding it was a grouping of upholstered chairs, a long sofa and several other smaller ones. And similar chairs and sofas faced a fireplace.

There were also tables of all sizes. Some had all wood chairs; other chairs had an upholstered seat. All of them were perfect for playing table games, card games or putting together a jig-saw puzzle. And Maria, the teacher, thought this was a place where the children could do their homework.

Liesl broke the silence they had when they entered the house. "This is a wonderful room for all of us to be together."

Her father concurred. "It certainly is much better than crowding into a sitting room. And that archway leads to a dining room."

It was Isabel who commented. "It even has a long table with enough chairs for all of us. Katia, the kitchen must be behind that far door. Let's go find out."

Isabel and Katia were followed by the entire group. This house had a spacious kitchen with huge black gas stove. Under a window which overlooked their backyard was a counter with a large white sink and space to drain dishes before they were dried and put away in the wall of cabinets.

The kitchen had two doors. One opened into their backyard and Katia discovered the other.

"This has stairs. I wonder what's down there."

Franz spoke up. "Allow me to take a look."

Franz also discovered a light switch on the wall. He flicked the small white oblong object up and a light bulb lit the stairwell. He proceeded down the stairs.

In a very loud voice he told them. "This space has a washing machine and a large room with clotheslines. It also has cabinets full of jars of fruit and lots of different foods in cans. There's a half full basket of apples. There's also a shower and toilet down here. In the back I see another door; I'm sure it's for coal to heat the house."

As Franz climbed the stairs he could hear their comments. From Maria it was. "God has blessed us with this house. Now we need find out how God wants us to share our blessing."

And Father Wasner reminded them. "God will show us on His time."

The group also found the room with a concert piano. Chairs there were set up like one would find in a theater. Once again Maria spoke.

"This must be the room where the former owner entertained musicians." Maria also thought to herself. I must look in each piano bench for sheet music of American songs.

It was Liesl who asked. "Can we go upstairs and find our bedrooms?"

No one answered. Instead they left this room and walked towards the stairs they saw off to the right of the big living room. These were wide stairs with a beautiful polished wood handrail. Up two-thirds of the way was a resting spot with a light as the stairs turned for the last four steps.

Georg went first. He announced. "There's a door at the very top."

Georg opened it. Before him was a long hall. He entered it and the others were right behind him.

"I count seven doors in addition to the one at the end of this hall."

The children were eager to find their room. They went past their father and began to open the doors. They discovered most were rooms with twin beds. They quickly paired up; Friedrich and Kurt, Brigitta and Louisa, the room with the toy box was saved for Marta and Gretl. Liesl found a room with a single bed. Katia and Isabel had taken the room nearest to the stairs.

Father Wasner found another room with a single bed for him. The other men paired up; Franz and Max were together and the same for Stefan and Phillip. Everyone also saw the large bathroom as they followed Georg and Maria to the room at the end of the hall.

Neither was surprised to find it to be the master suite with a large bathroom. But they were surprised to see a small alcove with a crib. Maria smiled at her husband. Everyone used the bathroom before going downstairs. There, Father Wasner suggested they sing.

His first selection was the hymn, Now Thank we all our God. This house was filled with the joyous words of this hymn. It speaks of thanking God with hearts, hands and voices to rejoice in the wondrous things God has provided.

After singing several more songs, Father Wasner closed with singing the second stanza of a well-known child's bedtime prayer.

Father, unto thee I pray,
Thou hast guarded me all day;
Safe I am while in thy sight,
Safely let me sleep tonight.
Bless my friends, the whole world bless;
Help me to learn helpfulness;
Keep me ever in thy sight;
So to all I say good night. Amen.

The children didn't need to be told; they hastened up the stairs. Georg and Maria gave them a few minutes to get ready for bed before going to kiss each one goodnight.

The adults followed them; Franz and Max would always be last. They would be sure all the doors were locked and turn off all the lights including the one on the stairs. The home was soon quiet as sleep over took each one with the exception of Maria and Georg.

A/N: The house I described is the actual house where the family lived. Maria wrote the address in her book. When I Goggled it I discovered it was for sale. It was built in 1901. A picture helped me describe it along with Maria description in the book. The home was given to them by a man who loved music. They would pay him by singing for him.

I also used my grandparent's home which was built in the early 1900's. It's the inspiration for the stairs and the basement.