A Birthday Wish from the Past for Valdik Holzer

July 23, 2013 A BIRTHDAY WISH FROM THE PAST FOR VALDIK HOLZER

Today would have been my dad’s 102^nd birthday had he lived beyond January 3, 2000. In honor of his birthday and the historic letter collection he hid away after WWII, I’ve cut and pasted below a translated version of his parents’ 1941 letter offering their only son a birthday wish. It was their last. In the spring of 1942, the Nazis transported them to their death, likely at Sobibor.

This letter, originally written in Czech by Arnošt and Olga Holzer, is part of the collection of letters which are at the heart of my series of non-fiction books that not only detail my father’s epic journey seeking safe harbor after the Nazis occupied his homeland but also share stories of his friends and relatives thrust in to the world as refugees or trapped behind by the Nazis. Forty-four of the 400 letters were written by my grandparents. I treasure their loving messages, especially this one on a day honoring my father’s life.

Arnost Holzer Praha XII-Slezska 127

To Dr. Osvald Holzer-Long Beach USA

Prague June 20, 1941

2020-1+2A 912/3=483/3 {TN: possibly a number, evaluation, and signature of a censor}

Dear Children,

Wednesday has passed, and the day that brings us mail passed along with it joylessly. We have not received anything. Therefore, we have to look forward to the next Wednesday when we will surely get something from you.

We also wish that this birthday wish reaches you on time, so we want to dedicate this letter to this event only.

Valdi, the next month you will celebrate your thirtieth birthday. This is a milestone in everyone’s life. You will celebrate it away from us, so our thoughts will be with you. Were you with us, we would have tried our best to celebrate this day. Of course, Ruth will certainly remember the day nicely and will, at least in part, make up to you for what we cannot do for you.

Unfortunately, a bad fate forces us to spend several years of your life without you. You know how we loved being with you and that we now must miss what was the most beautiful thing in our life and, in fact, for so long the purpose of our lives. Only the hope that the day will come when we can hug you again gives us the strength to bear all the hardship that we must. The wish that we always ask Providence for you, you know already.

We want you to be happy always in your family life with Ruth and satisfied in your profession, and we wish you that you reach the goal you set in your profession and that you succeed in every respect. We would certainly like to see you with a birthday present, but as you know, the circumstances are stronger than our best will and prevent us from doing so. However, we will keep all the gifts we bought for you here. We hope that the time comes when you are able to pick them up in person. God help that this is as soon as possible.

I know mom will want to start writing away, so this is it from me.

With warm greetings and a kiss for you and Ruth,

Your loving

Tata {Dad}

My dear Valdi,

I read what dad wrote, and it was as if he wrote my thoughts from my soul exactly. You know best what you mean to us, and with such a festive day coming, I am always with you in my mind. I join the wish of your father and wish you lots and lots of good luck and all the success in life for your next thirty years.

We heard that about 14 days ago, Dr. Eisner’s parents and Dr. Wiener’s mom had left for the U.S.A.

With kisses for you and your Chic,

Your loving Mom