All I Want Is My Family

December 26th, 1938

Dear Diary,

“Alice,” My mother whispered to me, “Alice, it’s time to wake up sweetie.” I woke up feeling bittersweet. I would not go in to concentration camp after I took the Kindertansport, but what about my family?

It was 7:30 am; my mom gave me a kiss and picked me up out of bed. I was carried downstairs in her arms, and placed in my chair with a great big bowl of oatmeal in front of me. I ate it enjoying each bite. “Thank you, mummy!” I ran upstairs, and went into the bathroom. I hopped in the shower and got ready for my day. After I went and got dressed, followed by brushing my teeth. A while after that, my mom French braided my hair and tied red ribbons at the bottom to match my red dress. Of course, I had left over things to pack, so finished when my mother was done with my hair. I was all ready! My sister and I went in the car and waited for our mother and father.

We were on the road, I was waving by to the things I would no longer see, the houses, the dogs, the people, what would Britain be like? I looked over at my sister, she was turned facing the window, I turned to my mom, her eyes were full of tears, and my father, had no emotion on his face. Was he happy?

“Ok girls, were here..” said my father. We jumped out of the car, and went into the line. There were a lot of big, strong looking men with fierce faces. I got into line, and put my bag down. The man picked it up and started digging through it. I said, “Excuse me sir, what are you looking for?” I will never forget the face he gave me, I didn’t speak again. When I was finally through the line, the train came through. I said, “Goodbye mother, goodbye father! I love you both, I will see you soon!” My definition of “soon” isn’t the same as it was then. After saying goodbye to my family, there was a lot of hugging, kissing, and tears. “All aboard!” Screamed a worker.

When we arrived, a family picked up my sister and me. Who are these people? “Hello children, you’ll be living with us until you can return to your parents. But, nice to meet you.” said the woman who expected me to call her my “mother”. Absolutely not, she’s not my mother, and he is not my “father”.

            I haven’t spent the holiday with my family, and I miss them more than ever. I am alive, and healthy, but I would do any thing to be with my mother and father...Anything.

Sincerely,

Alice