Kneesocks 2018-19

Stories Ships Tell: Portrait #1 – Escaping Tragedy By Audrey Gage 6M

September 12, 1941

“How lucky I am to have had someone that makes saying goodbye so hard.” —A.A. Milne My name is Samuel Wexler. I am writing in this journal because it is the only way that this journey that we are on can be recorded and remembered. I find my mother in the kitchen starring outside the window. I remember the way she would hold me in her arms when I was oh so little and look me in the eyes. She would say, “Sammy, you are one good kid.” She had a sparkle in her eyes that would always light up the room. Now, her gaze is dull and distant. The war has ended. Our town is completely deserted and is lifeless. Synagogues have been burned to the ground, along with houses and stores. Almost six million Jews have been murdered or arrested by the Nazis. I used to be in a family of four. Now that the war has ended, I am in a

family of three. My father was one of the six million. He was taken away to a concentration camp and was starved. I have a big brother Noah, and a mother who is suffering from depression. My big brother is probably the one thing that keeps me going. I want to be just like Noah when I grow up. He is tough, but he puts me before himself. He reminds me so much of my father, and I think that’s why we have such a special bond.

Now, we are stranded on this barren land. We need to leave. We need to escape. My brother says I need to rest up for this upcoming week. We are going to try to find a new place to live, in a faraway land. Canada.

12  HAVERGAL COLLEGE