looking back over the years…
A bit of a departure from the usual seascapes and sunsets… inspired by Hope, a blogging friend who posted memories of dolls from her childhood….
I suppose this is a time of year for looking back as it draws to a close….
We were Latvian refugees in a Displaced Persons camp in Germany. Despite hard times, I somehow managed to get a doll to hang onto as seen here… I’m also sure my grandmother, a gifted seamstress, made the doll’s clothes to resemble a Latvian folk costume. I’m sure my outfit was something created from donated clothes from Red Cross or some other charitable organization.
Then the doll in the above picture was sent to us by the wonderful folks who sponsored my mother and me to immigrate to the United States. I ended up with the measles on the boat trip across the Atlantic. About the only thing I remember is being left alone (or what seemed to be alone) in the infirmary at night on this huge troop ship. I was terrified. I vaguely remember the first taste of an orange and seeing Lady Liberty as we arrived in New York.
I still have that doll, though sadly she’s had her lips and fingernails painted with red nail polish (not very neatly). My mother hung onto a lot of momentos from that trip. I still have those ID tags attached to our coats, along with the ship’s newsletter (in German) with an outline of our route and instructions telling us what to expect when landing.
I can’t quite understand what had Mum hanging onto all these bits and pieces for so many years. Or, for that matter, why I continue to do so now that they’re in my possession.
But at this moment the sun has popped out after a couple of dark, gray rain-filled days, so it seems to be time for me to head out to enjoy the sunshine and light. Who knows, I may even catch a rainbow….
Wishing all of you bright sun and rainbows!
I missed this post earlier. These are wonderful photos. My grandfather was a photographer. I’m attached to images like these. The time and place and your memories of it are a gift to the rest of us. Thanks for sharing.
It never ceases to amaze me how we managed these photographs in the middle of all the chaos during and after the war years. But they are certainly treasured. Thank you for the gracious comment.
Amazing story Gunta and incredible photos. I would love to hear more…
I was only five years old when we arrived in the States. I remember next to nothing of my life in Germany. I was too young and unappreciative when my grandmother was alive and talking about the old days. My mom and aunt refused to talk of those times when I finally was old enough to become curious about my early life. So, it seems there’s relatively little to tell….
What year did you come to America?
Is this a sneaky way to figure out how old I am? (Just kidding!) We came over in May of 1949.
And you were 5 at the time so your family experienced some awful stuff during the war in that part of the world. That is where my interest is, not in your age my friend.
Sorry, Mike, but I can’t seem to resist teasing you (can’t you tell from the 2nd picture that there’s an imp that dwells within?) But you’re right. The poor Baltics seemed to be in the middle of wars going way back in history. My grandmother had to flee from the battlegrounds of Latvia both in WW I and WW II. I count myself lucky that I wasn’t old enough to know much of what was happening as we struggled to stay alive. My cousin, five years older than I am, has talked a bit about things he remembers, mostly the time in Germany after the war.
If you’re interested in that era, I discovered an excellent book: “A Whole Empire Walking – Refugees in Russia During World War I”. I mentioned it to my mother years ago and she admitted that they had, indeed, been part of that Exodus. The best book I’ve tripped across touching on the WW II exodus is: “Walking Since Daybreak”, by Modris Eksteins.
Yes you do tease me which sometimes feels like a hard time, but not all the time. I have done quite a bit of reading about concentration camps being liberated and the depth of horror that occurred during that time. For whatever reason I feel that in my bones and my psyche. And I know too the displaced peoples from many countries and the struggle involved in first fleeing, then surviving, and lastly returning, if they could. What a time, what a world, what a travesty. Glad you are around and sensitive and bright.
Sorry about the teasing (no hard time intended)…. as for the travesty, it still goes on to this day. Different names, different places. Same lust for power.
Agreed, totally.
An interesting story. I’ve never seen the “tags” in pictures. I hope your sponsors were good to you.
Oh yes, they were wonderful. We remained good friends over the years.
That is some story. You are lucky to have the doll. I didn’t have that dramtic background, but like you I didn’t have many dolls. I remember only two dolls from groving up. My mother have trown them away.
I just love those photos of you with the doll Gunta. Thank you for sharing.
Wishing you a wonderful 2013!
I’m glad these were saved by your mom, by you!! These are great memories to be cherised!! I had to laugh about the red nail polish and I am sad though somewhat bemused about giving my favorite teddy bear surgery–I actually cut out his tongue!!
It was very touching to see another side of you Gunta. That little girl has grown into a beautiful strong woman.
Thanks LuAnn… my mum’s birthday was Christmas eve (12/24)… she died just two years ago on her 96th birthday. I suspect this time of year has my thoughts wandering back to things connected to her. And (blush) thanks for the lovely compliment.
I suspect it has. Your mother sounds like she was an amazing woman. I had the misfortune of losing mine when I was 14 and she was 38. My husband’s mom is 87 and dad is 93. We feel blessed to still have them in our lives.
It is hard for me, a third generation American, to imagine the difficulties so many immigrants went through to get here. Thank you for sharing this. The first 2 photos opened fine for me.
I was so young going through all of that stuff that it almost seems as though it happened to someone else. I think my mother had a much harder time getting through it all. I myself have a hard time imagining what the family went through during the war years.
I think I’d best erase the comment about the 2 photos. I’m guessing my last attempt at reloading the gallery must have fixed the problem.
Such amazing photos! And how wonderful that you still have them plus the mementos of the trip and of that time. Thank you for sharing, dear friend. And I hope that rainbow was out!
Thanks Tahira. The photos are indeed pretty special. As is the doll and other items. Sadly the sun went back to hiding before I made it outside, but there’s always another day!
You have such a happy smile, especially in the second photo. Self-confident, if one can say that about a five-year old!
I always thought of the expression in the second photo as almost a pout, but a mischievous one!