Writer's grandson David Graves with wife Eva in 1995, Manitoba A girl stabbing her father for alleged abuse; a serious cough sickening children; death by lightning … these are some of the stories shared by a long-lost relative that I discovered through his letters to the Mennonitische Rundschau from Alexanderpol in Russia’s Memrik Mennonite Settlement.
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Jakob and Emma Plett in Vancouver in 1983 My uncle Jakob shares about his family’s flight from Russia to Germany in this excerpt from his Life Story. An unforgettable haircut by my dad At a time when many people are sporting interesting haircuts, I thought I’d share my father’s story of his first job in British Columbia. Heinrich Plett wrote to this historical Rundschau in 1882 I recently discovered some of my great-grandfather’s letters to a Mennonite publication and found them a fascinating window into a past from which most records were destroyed after families were uprooted. Then based in the U.S., the Mennonitische Rundschau was a lifeline for separated families and friends on different continents. The translated letters are shared below along with a short biography of Heinrich, information about his descendants, and photos. In this story, I give tribute to a courageous woman who loved against all odds, as my father recounts some experiences with her in the 1930s Soviet Union.
My poem inspired by A Course in Miracles According to A Course in Miracles, true forgiveness is our only real work in this life. With practice, we get better. Maybe it’s finally sinking in for me. My darling kitty, Cassie, endures some poking and prodding Today was my fifth vet visit with my newly adopted kitty, Cassie, in just over a month. Was it all necessary? I sure hope so. But even if today's appointment was overkill, an unexpected encounter there warmed my heart. My reading on the commute to prison My first summer job took me to prison. It was a fascinating inside view of the now defunct Oakalla Prison Farm in Burnaby, B.C. A Christmas angel A young mother had chills when I recently shared my dad's angel story, inspiring me to share it with you. A snowy day at the University of B.C. I got the call at about 2 a.m. on Christmas Eve day. I told no one about my secret mission of mercy. |
WriterIrene Plett is a writer, poet and animal lover living in South Surrey, British Columbia, Canada. Categories
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