VOL. V, NO. 6
DECEMBER 13, 1963
Only Many Memories Remain
By Jan Bushlus '65
Anne did not know whether it was the cold, damp basement or the pains in her empty stomach that kept her awake. She shuddered and thought of the empty and quiet basement around her. Is this how she' would live from now on?
She only had time to think. Think! Even that was hard. Her head felt heavy, her small body was blue, and her tear streaked face showed her agony. Thinking aloud, she said, "Why am I like this on Christmas Eve?" Christmas! The word meant nothing to her now. The four Christmas seasons before had been a sweet, surprising dream. That was before, when her father and mother had been with her. How they had laughed at her little shouts of glee whenever she opened a present! Now even her rag doll could not give her a reason for smiling. . .The rag doll! Her father had given the doll to her last Christmas. He handed her the brightly wrapped package, "Anne, this doll's smile is only painted on, but yours is a real smile. Always remember to keep it like that."
Anne looked at the doll she clutched in her hands. The gaily painted smile was worn off. Her father's words rang in her ears, "The painted smile will never get you ahead. It has no value, and will soon turn to tears."
She then recalled how her father had told her the story of the Christ Child. "He died for all mankind, so one and all could be free and equal," sobs broke freely from within her.
Anne did not know whether it was the cold, damp basement or the pains in her empty stomach that kept her awake. She shuddered and thought of the empty and quiet basement around her. Is this how she' would live from now on?
She only had time to think. Think! Even that was hard. Her head felt heavy, her small body was blue, and her tear streaked face showed her agony. Thinking aloud, she said, "Why am I like this on Christmas Eve?" Christmas! The word meant nothing to her now. The four Christmas seasons before had been a sweet, surprising dream. That was before, when her father and mother had been with her. How they had laughed at her little shouts of glee whenever she opened a present! Now even her rag doll could not give her a reason for smiling. . .The rag doll! Her father had given the doll to her last Christmas. He handed her the brightly wrapped package, "Anne, this doll's smile is only painted on, but yours is a real smile. Always remember to keep it like that."
Anne looked at the doll she clutched in her hands. The gaily painted smile was worn off. Her father's words rang in her ears, "The painted smile will never get you ahead. It has no value, and will soon turn to tears."
She then recalled how her father had told her the story of the Christ Child. "He died for all mankind, so one and all could be free and equal," sobs broke freely from within her.
Just then she heard the sirens wailing loudly their shrill voices pierced her ears. She covered her ringing ears with her small hands, temporarily stopping her sobs. The sirens passed; the basement once again was silent. Again she was safe, but would her safety last?
Anne's mind drifted back to Christmas. This would be the first Christmas in her short life without her parents. She felt sick to her stomach, her sobs broke loose. She screamed in terror and ran up the stairs.
Why should she spend her Christmas in this damp, cold, and dark place? She should be happy and free! Something forced Anne to look up from her cupped hands.
There was Father and Mother laughing and smiling. They beckoned her up from her hiding place. She stumbled to her feet, and walked toward them. The glow in her eyes could only come from her heart as she took their hands. Down the dark hall, out the door, and into the frozen darkness of Berlin they went. The falling snow was like a magic shower from the heavens. Her body shook with the cold, but her soul was warmed. The family walked joyfully down the street.
Anne did not notice the German soldiers approaching. Nor was she aware that one grabbed her arm, just below the star on the sleeve of her dress. As far as she was concerned, her smile was real, and she was free!
Anne's mind drifted back to Christmas. This would be the first Christmas in her short life without her parents. She felt sick to her stomach, her sobs broke loose. She screamed in terror and ran up the stairs.
Why should she spend her Christmas in this damp, cold, and dark place? She should be happy and free! Something forced Anne to look up from her cupped hands.
There was Father and Mother laughing and smiling. They beckoned her up from her hiding place. She stumbled to her feet, and walked toward them. The glow in her eyes could only come from her heart as she took their hands. Down the dark hall, out the door, and into the frozen darkness of Berlin they went. The falling snow was like a magic shower from the heavens. Her body shook with the cold, but her soul was warmed. The family walked joyfully down the street.
Anne did not notice the German soldiers approaching. Nor was she aware that one grabbed her arm, just below the star on the sleeve of her dress. As far as she was concerned, her smile was real, and she was free!