1939: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Arrogance
26November 12, 2014 by Melanie L.
My father-in-law sent for us.
“Education” and “opportunity,” he baited.
My wife, mother of three, added “prosperity” and “please.”
But, I cost us our lives.
“I’m a doctor,” I countered. “We’ll be fine. The Nazis won’t come for us.”
My poor kinderlach.
My Own Champion 
Your writing gives me chills. Such a powerful piece!
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Thanks! I’m glad you found it worthwhile!
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So sad, the people that stayed to help and then were killed.
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Truly. Yes. Thanks for popping by and checking out my post!
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This is quite powerful and touching.
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Thank you. I’m glad it had an impact.
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I love that you told a whole story here, start to finish, sad as it is. Really nice job.
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I got a nod from Christine?! Wahoo! Thanks for making my day!
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Yep, very powerful. Really sad. Really chills you. Its impact really stays with you afterward, and even as you’re reading it it really hits you. I also had ancestors killed in the Holocaust.
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Aw. I’m sorry to hear about your ancestors.
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I just want to add, this is the best one I’ve read so far, the best one in my opinion, no question, hands down. This is the best most impactful one on the microstories grid in my opinion, and I’m going to vote for yours for sure, because yours deserves it. You deserve to win with this.
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Wow! Holy cow! Thank you for your support! I’m honored you think so!
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Wow, that was so vivid a telling. Beautifully written, perfectly captures the tragedy of the Holocaust.
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Thank you so much!
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Tragedy is always that much more tragic when one’s own flaws are involved.
Love how the photo reflects your title!
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So true. And thank you regarding the photo. So, the photo is the only one I have of my aunt and uncle. They and their three children are presumed dead in the Holocaust but we just don’t know the details. We don’t even know the kids’ names. The expressions seemed arrogant and that matched the family lore that they believed they’d be ok because he was a doctor. Since my uncle is the in law, I blamed him. Who knows though.
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How strong and powerful they must have been to able to stay and serve despite knowing their fate. I can relate because we too had a moment in history, where we were punished for being who we are. Beautiful, strong and sad piece.
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Thank you! If you have blogged about your story or if you ever will blog about it someday, I hope you’ll post a link here! I’d love to hear more.
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ouch. Such a tragedy this whole thing was!!
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Yes. Thanks for popping by Jen? Are you on the grids? I can’t find you this week.
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Strong and powerful story. So much said in so few words. Brilliant!
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Wow! Thanks Kathy! I’m glad you liked it!
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A direct punch on this one. Great writing!
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Thank you Tina! And thanks for checking out my post!
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Such a succinct and powerful piece. No wonder it was top three and editor’s pick – well done.
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[…] 1939: life liberty and the pursuit of arrogance by melanie […]
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