Secretive

hannover-l
1

In a message dated 12/14/2006 12:47:05 AM Central Standard Time,
johnbrene@hotmail.com writes:

fficer's uniform (of which he was always proud), his meticulously kept
letters, pretty much their entire collection of surviving memorabilia and
connection to the past, put it in a large pile in the backyard, and set it
on fire. Even more disturbing, it was done amongst pleas from her daughter
and grandson (who, with misty eyes, relayed this story to me many years ago
when he himself was about to leave the scene) not to do so. But she was

My mother's grandmother did exactly the same thing in Oklahoma during the
1930's or 1940's. Although no one understood it at the time, my mother now
believe that her grandmother was suffering from Alzheimer's. During that time period
you were only old or senile, or both. John

Viele Grüße aus Illinois
John Rodenburg
Rodenburg (Tarmstedt, Hannover)
Brunkhorst (Hannover)
Werner (Langen, Hesse-Darmstadt),
Steinke (Kreis Schlochau, Pommern)
Krause (Kreis Schlochau, Pommern)
Schröder (Warsow, Mecklenburg-Schwerin),
Meyer (Wechold, Kreis Hoya, Hannover)
Zum Mallen (Schierholz, Kreis Hoya, Hannover)
Röhrdanz (Mecklenburg-Schwerin)

2

In our family it is was said this "clearing out" was done because
people could not bare to go one with their lives surrounded by
such reminders of the past and the loved ones who had died.

My father was four when his Irish-born mother died. He somehow
got hold of a small lavaliere she had worn on a chain around her neck.
He never told about it or showed it to anyone. He kept it wrapped
and hidden. When he got a bank safe deposit box he stored it
there in secret, in silence, for many decades.

My grandfather kept one small photo, but showed that to no one,
especially not his children whom he thought would be harmed by
the remembrance. No one knew he had it. When my grand-
father died, my aunt found the photo and showed us, once ...
and when it passed to her youngest daughter she made photo-
copies for us all.

When my dad retired and closed the safety deposit box near his
office in the city and brought all the contents to the family box in
our suburban town, he showed my mother the tiny gold lavaliere,
and told her the story of his "theft" as a 4-year-old.

You must know that I wear it nearly every day, don't you?

Maureen

In a message dated 12/14/2006 12:47:05 AM Central Standard Time,
johnbrene@hotmail.com writes:

> fficer's uniform (of which he was always proud), his meticulously kept
> letters, pretty much their entire collection of surviving memorabilia and
> connection to the past, put it in a large pile in the backyard, and set it
> on fire. Even more disturbing, it was done amongst pleas from her daughter
> and grandson (who, with misty eyes, relayed this story to me many years ago
> when he himself was about to leave the scene) not to do so. But she was
>

My mother's grandmother did exactly the same thing in Oklahoma during the
1930's or 1940's. Although no one understood it at the time, my mother now
believe that her grandmother was suffering from Alzheimer's. During that time period
you were only old or senile, or both. John

Viele Gr��e aus Illinois
John Rodenburg
Rodenburg (Tarmstedt, Hannover)
Brunkhorst (Hannover)
Werner (Langen, Hesse-Darmstadt),
Steinke (Kreis Schlochau, Pommern)
Krause (Kreis Schlochau, Pommern)
Schr�der (Warsow, Mecklenburg-Schwerin),
Meyer (Wechold, Kreis Hoya, Hannover)
Zum Mallen (Schierholz, Kreis Hoya, Hannover)
R�hrdanz (Mecklenburg-Schwerin)

3

My mother's grandmother did exactly the same thing in Oklahoma during the
1930's or 1940's. Although no one understood it at the time, my mother now
believe that her grandmother was suffering from Alzheimer's. During that time period
you were only old or senile, or both. John

Most interesting to hear. Hard to believe another incident so similar presents itself. That's one of the beauties of lists like these. You get a glimpse into so many things related, even when separated by great distances.

From the expanse of North America clear over to Germany, Holland, England,

Australia, etc., it amounts to a 24-hour open conference call. Tim Berners-Lee, that guy should be up for sainthood soon. :wink:

As for your last comment, the times have surely changed. I can confidently say that while I may not be all that old yet (it's all relative, isn't it?), I am slowly entering into that lovely realm called senility. For example I'll head to the kitchen, stand there in front of the refrigerator, and wonder what I came for. Then I'll spot a beer, grab it, and say to myself "Must be this."

Beyond these frequent mental lapses, I also find myself asking (in tones of justification): how can anyone truly claim to be German if they have never felt the passion behind a little liquid love? :wink:

Jb

4

Fantastic story Maureen, really. You rightly wear that lavaliere proudly.

In our family it is was said this "clearing out" was done because
people could not bare to go one with their lives surrounded by
such reminders of the past and the loved ones who had died.

The "clearing out" syndrome, I should have guessed as much! [doh! hits self in the head]. Joking aside, that is but another angle that surely carries some weight in regards to this seemingly "secretive" nature we speak of. Much like the points Rena added earlier, it fills in the picture a little more clearly. And here I thought my California conflagration catastrophe was a "one in a million" scenario, only to see John over in Illinois has a very similar story to offer regarding his ancestors in Oklahoma. And now what you've included. Those keepsakes are worth their weight in gold.

I think it is apparent that when you size it up in the end, there were a whole array of reasons and factors that helped contribute to this perplexing condition. How much easier all of this is seen when analyzed from our lofty perches of many years hence, perches our ancestors helped put into place. It only goes to prove that their immigrant experience, much like other immigrant groups, was not always smooth or without obstacles, but with typical Germanic determination, they persevered as a whole and did surprisingly well.

Jb