In 1991 we had to flee from a firestorm in the Oakland hills. My husband grabbed the kids and I grabbed the laptops and one irreplaceable object: the framed telegram (which I would post here if Substack allowed photos in comments) that my grandfather - who had reached safety in the US in 1912 - sent to my grandmother’s sister Henya in 1922. She had almost made it to the ship that would take her to safety in America when the ship doctor refused to let her board due to some mystery illness (that detail didn’t come down to me) and now she was stuck in a cheap seafront boardinghouse in Antwerp, speaking Yiddish and Russian and Polish but not a word of anything that would be useful in her present situation. Somehow she got word to my grandfather, and he sent this telegram: “STAY UNTIL CURED DO NOT ECONOMIZE SEE BEST DOCTOR BE BRAVE BUY SECOND CLASS NEED MONEY WIRE” She made it to the US and she saved that telegram all her long life. When she died, the telegram came to my mother, and when my mother died it came to me. I had it framed and it has hung on the wall in every home I’ve made since 1978. The Oakland fire stopped a mile away from us, but if we’d lost our home I would still have had the most precious object in it.
Living in California for the past 34 years and being close to vast fires, we have “to go” bags of necessary supplies but I’d leave them behind in a minute and just take our photo albums, including my grandmother’s handwritten autobiography. After grabbing our dog, of course.
Really loved this piece. It’s an ‘it-really-made-me-think’ piece.
I’ve inherited my great-grandmother’s silver candlesticks she brought with her to America, from Belarus. It’s the only heritage I can hold in my hands. They’d be in my hands if I had to flee, like a passed down good luck charm.
Was talking to my LF cousin the other night on the phone, and she said "I mean, we grew up with so many Holocaust survivors. It really feels like it's time ..." And of course, our mutual White Russian friends.
I'm rooted where I'm planted for now, because my beloved, who I found so late in life, is not going anywhere. But Ever Single Day I think about it.
I have thought about this subject too. I told my husband after grabbing him....I would grab the painting a friend did of our family when my son was little. It so captures the part of our lives that we love to revisit. It must be devastating to start anew but saving one's life comes first. Our stories remain part of us to share as we build our new home. I think nabbing one of our guitars would be high on the list too.
I always hope that I would have a 30 minute warning if I had to flee but then reflect it might only be 3 minutes. What would I take? Something to ask every morning and night.
In 1991 we had to flee from a firestorm in the Oakland hills. My husband grabbed the kids and I grabbed the laptops and one irreplaceable object: the framed telegram (which I would post here if Substack allowed photos in comments) that my grandfather - who had reached safety in the US in 1912 - sent to my grandmother’s sister Henya in 1922. She had almost made it to the ship that would take her to safety in America when the ship doctor refused to let her board due to some mystery illness (that detail didn’t come down to me) and now she was stuck in a cheap seafront boardinghouse in Antwerp, speaking Yiddish and Russian and Polish but not a word of anything that would be useful in her present situation. Somehow she got word to my grandfather, and he sent this telegram: “STAY UNTIL CURED DO NOT ECONOMIZE SEE BEST DOCTOR BE BRAVE BUY SECOND CLASS NEED MONEY WIRE” She made it to the US and she saved that telegram all her long life. When she died, the telegram came to my mother, and when my mother died it came to me. I had it framed and it has hung on the wall in every home I’ve made since 1978. The Oakland fire stopped a mile away from us, but if we’d lost our home I would still have had the most precious object in it.
Beautiful and powerful essay Elissa. So thought provoking - and that last question - Oy.
As a child, I used to lie awake in bed at night and wonder about this.
I admit I have had those same thoughts at night.
Poignant and thought-provoking, Suzie. Thank you for burrowing into history as a storyteller.
Living in California for the past 34 years and being close to vast fires, we have “to go” bags of necessary supplies but I’d leave them behind in a minute and just take our photo albums, including my grandmother’s handwritten autobiography. After grabbing our dog, of course.
the pup would likely lead the way!
So so so beautiful and heartfelt ❤️🥲
Particularly thought-provoking at this moment.
first thing out the door, family
always the question– do we have time
Really loved this piece. It’s an ‘it-really-made-me-think’ piece.
I’ve inherited my great-grandmother’s silver candlesticks she brought with her to America, from Belarus. It’s the only heritage I can hold in my hands. They’d be in my hands if I had to flee, like a passed down good luck charm.
Wow. Beautiful and powerful post. Thank you.
Touching ❤️
Was talking to my LF cousin the other night on the phone, and she said "I mean, we grew up with so many Holocaust survivors. It really feels like it's time ..." And of course, our mutual White Russian friends.
I'm rooted where I'm planted for now, because my beloved, who I found so late in life, is not going anywhere. But Ever Single Day I think about it.
I have thought about this subject too. I told my husband after grabbing him....I would grab the painting a friend did of our family when my son was little. It so captures the part of our lives that we love to revisit. It must be devastating to start anew but saving one's life comes first. Our stories remain part of us to share as we build our new home. I think nabbing one of our guitars would be high on the list too.
One of your best---but also gut wrenching ending. We must not forget
I always hope that I would have a 30 minute warning if I had to flee but then reflect it might only be 3 minutes. What would I take? Something to ask every morning and night.
Gorgeous and so true. Thank you