I was given a children’s book from my great-grandmother. It’s worn down from years of neglect, shown by harsh pencil marks drawn throughout the pages. I’m describing the little things transcribed in my great-grandmother's children's book, because this is the only picture I know of her. While I may know her immigration story, I don’t at all have a clue to who she was.My great-grandmother and great-grandfather fled Germany because of WWII. Taking and leaving things I’m not aware of, but I imagine from the lack of knowledge and documentation from my living family, they didn’t bring much. I think they left a lot in Germany because once they landed on American soil, they felt it necessary to detach from any type of German culture. As I look at this children’s book and think of my great-grandmother's story, I can’t help but wonder why she never carried on with our family’s culture. Was the massacre from the Germans in the Second World War too much to even associate herself with the country? I haven’t a clue on her reasoning, but I’m not sure that matters. For I am solely alive today because of my great-grandmother's action to leave Germany. Whether or not she taught my grandmother German is a second-thought compared to her decision that saved her future family’s lives. I only wish she could have found other means for her future family to remember her besides a children’s book.

– AJS

Relationship:  Grandchild of im/migrant Grandchild of im/migrant