Decisions of Love

Germany post World War II, torn, impoverished. Ruled by Marshal Law, imposed by the victorious. Occupational forces walk the rubble streets. Civilians cower in fear, in hunger, uncertainty. A farm boy, Ohio bred, cook in the US Army. Young, handsome, veteran to his country’s cause. Viewed the hunger daily, with sympathetic eye. Spirited surplus loaves to a fraulein in the night. Young, attractive, veteran to her country’s cause. In times passing, a union of hearts bore true. Circumstances and events, crumbled as walls of ash. Love burned, marriage, a journey to America. A factory worker and immigrant wife, began life together. Poor, yet rich, by their own device. Lain was the foundation of family, children were born. Middle class Americans, living the American dream. A time of gentle values, hope burned bright. There were visits to the homeland, through the passing years. Ursula’s family united, in her childhood home. The aged father, veteran of two World wars, industrial fame, long past. Aged brownstone, cobbled streets, lake garden lush. Young son running in lederhosen with neighborhood children. Now speaking German, learned from the echoes of Bremen streets. Fishing for eel, carrying milk from the dairyman. An American family, children raised, grandchildren. Life was fulfilling, dreams were realized. Now grown, parents passed, retired. In retrospect, decisions of love, time and place, set the stage of my life, as I sip my Starbucks. Instead of drinking coffee in the cafes of Berlin. Robert Gene Stoner Jr © 1/11/16