Light In The Storm

This was like no story my aunt had ever told before.

- Helen Lescheid

GREAT-AUNT ANNA loved to tell humorous stories that highlighted the joy she found in everyday life. Sitting in her kitchen drinking tea, laughing over her latest tale, I looked at her in wonder. As a young woman during World War II, she had fled Ukraine on her own and managed to get herself out of Europe. Then she spent time in South America before my mother was able to sponsor her to come to Canada, where we lived.

“How did you manage in those war-torn years?” I finally asked out of the blue. “I imagine it must have been so scary.”

Aunt Anna took a sip of tea. “I used to be afraid of so many things,” she said, turning serious. “But that was before.”

“Before what?” I asked.

She shook her head. “It’s a very long story.”

“Please, tell it,” I said.

I tried to imagine what could make her hesitate. Maybe she was embarrassed. Like the story about the first time she took a taxi. Aunt Anna heard two men speaking in the front seat, she was sure of it. But there was only one man there, the driver. “He was on a radio phone,” she’d explained to me. “Silly me! I’d never seen one before and thought I’d lost my mind!”

“Don’t be shy, Aunt Anna,” I tried again. “What took away your fear?”

“If I told you,” she said, “you might not believe me.”

“Of course I would.” I had never known her to make things up. Aunt Anna was always practical and matter-of-fact. Exaggerations and fairy tales were definitely not her style. “I will believe you,” I said. “I promise you.”