Wednesday, June 16, 2010

MAMA MILLIE MOMENTS#4






I,love old photos. I would like to share these, of mother"s family in Europe. Unfortunately,Mother never saw her family after she came to America as a WW II war bride. Occasionally, Mother would have some correspondence and a telephone call once a year. I, remember years ago, we received a telephone call from the American Red Cross. Mother's family hadn't heard from her so they asked the Red Cross to locate mother to see if she was alive, or whatever. My mother hated to write as well as to talk on the telephone, therefore connection with her family was obviously limited. Mother got mad when the Red Cross talked with her. I explained to Mother why this would happen and with her permission wrote in English back to her family. I, think that Mother didn't want to do this initial letter as she felt uncomfortable. Someone in Europe got the letter translated and thus Mother learned her lesson and would occasionally send a letter and make a telephone call to Europe. I, could never read the letters from Europe as they were in her native language,Czech. Mother would do a very "short" version of the letter to me. Throughout the years before my Mother died, I would encourage her to see her family in Europe. She refused saying that she couldn't handle it emotionally. Good and memories. If you remember, my Mother was in Europe in the 40's and could recall seeing the Germans invade her country and city. Mother, even as years went by and still had strong negative feelings for the enemy of her country. She, never went into any depth to share this part of her life. When my Mother died, I was determined to meet my European family that I never knew. I did this about 3 years ago and plan to share this special moment with you in a later post. Mother had 2 sisters and one brother. for some reason she had negative feelings for her youngest sister. She spoke better about her older sister and brother. Mother lived with her parents and siblings. In Europe, the children began to go to work at an early age. At, 14, my Mother was a maid. All of the children had to give all of their wages to their parents without any for themselves. According to Mother, my Grandmother was the dominant parent. grandmother would disclipine, and take charge of the house and issues. My Mother always said "Ilove my Father", I didn't hear that of her Mother. She described my Grand father as quiet and very gentle. He was a glass blower which I Came to realize that the Czechs have a history of making beautiful glassware. I always felt a sadness that my Mother never came to terms with her family and life in Europe. I, don't want a hurt or an experience to affect me that I have problems facing life challenges. I,plan to do a weekly post, MAMA MILLIE MOMENTS, until my mind goes blank and my words are silent.

12 comments:

  1. To Fellow Bloggers from Rose
    I forgot to idenify people in the photos
    1 grandmother &uncle
    2 ship that my mother was on to come
    to AMERICA
    3 PARENTS WEDDING
    4 GRANDMOTHER, MY MOTHER(rt)YOUNGEST
    SISTER
    5 COMBINATION OF PHOTOS

    Ihope you enjoy these. ROSE

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  2. Thanks for sharing your photos and the stories behind them. Your words bring everything to life. Have a wonderful day Rose!

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  3. Thank you for sharing your family history. Imagine how young children had to grow up back then! They certainly were not molly-coddled! I'm sure that your mother must have been a very strong person to survive all of that and then immigrate to a new world and make a new life for herself. So glad you have been able to reconnect with your extended family in Europe. Must have been very interesting for you!

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  4. Life was so much different back then. I just can't imagine working at the age of 14. My daughter is 12 and I can't imagine her working in 2 years.

    You will have to stop by my blog and sign up for my giveaway! I hope to get it posted later tonight.

    Hugs,
    Angela

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  5. I love your old pictures and the stories about your mother. I find all of that fascinating! I wanted to see your pictures better, though. I wish they were larger. Can't wait to hear about your European family in your special post. I always am so glad when your post is titled Mama Millie Moments. It means more stories about her. I thought about her the other day - I was on my knees with a rag, cleaning my floor - because I didn't want to get out the mop. I'm NOT the housecleaner your mother was. I wish.

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  6. Your lucky to have access to old photos...I only have a couple and I treasure them...

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  7. HI ROSE,
    OLD PHOTO'S, ESPECIALLY FAMILY ARE TREASURES. THANKS FOR ALL YOUR STORIES, THEY ARE VERY INTERESTING. I REMEMBER WHEN I WAS 15 YRS. OLD I GOT MY FIRST JOB AFTER SCHOOL IN A 5 & 10 CENT STORE.
    EVERY PAY DAY I GAVE THE MONEY TO MY MOM, AND SHE GAVE ME $2.00 BACK FOR THE WEEK FOR ODDS AND ENDS. I NEVER HAD TO WORRY ABOUT ANYTHING ELSE BECAUSE ANYTHING I NEEDED WAS BOUGHT BY MY MOTHER. MEMORIES ARE NICE TO HAVE. RIZZI

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  8. Hi Rose, I enjoyed this post. I like old photos too. The way you told us your family's history is interesting and touching. I really like reading personal stories from the past.

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  9. I can't imagine my home being invaded by "enemies" and going to a foreign country, not speaking the language and making a life..also never seeing my parents or siblings again..that generation was just so amazing. Thanks for sharing her/your family history with us!

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  10. What a heart warming post...all the memories you shared, even the war part...it's part of life and needs to be remembered. Looking forward to the rest you promise to post about.

    Thanks for popping by yesterday, I'm trying to catch up with all my visitors this morning. The baby turtle release was a grand success...I'll have photos of this event next week on my blog.

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  11. Oh, how lovely! Thanks, Rose!

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