September 08, 2005
By Esther Starobin
Jon, our grandson, was studying biographies when he was in second grade. Jon loved to read and was familiar with this type of literature. I had told him a little bit about living in England and of course he knew Alan, my foster brother. So he was aware that my life had been a little out of the ordinary.
Imagine my surprise and delight when he was assigned to write a biography about a family member and he picked me. Since he was only eight, I assume my daughter influenced his decision somewhat. Jon knew that I had lived in England with Alan and his parents. He was also aware that my parents were dead, but his mother Judy—my daughter—did not really want me to go into detail about the Holocaust with him at this time. She felt he was too young and I certainly respected her wishes.
In class, Jon and the other students were given questions to ask the subjects of their biographies. Jon called me on the phone and asked me these questions, taking notes so he would remember. I was pretty impressed with the questions he asked.
Jon and Judy talked about my life and collected pictures to illustrate various periods in my life. Jon wrote the book by himself after this preparation. It was a wonderful book that told about my experiences of leaving Germany and going to England. It continued with my life after I arrived in the United States. The actual story is written in a bound book with a white hardcover. Inside, Jon put pictures along with his writing. The class had an Authors Day when each student read their story to the assembled group of students and parents. I wish I could have been there.
The next time I visited the family in Indiana, I read the book. I was quite amazed at the information it contained. I didn’t remember discussing all of this with Jon or even Judy. But over the years I must have done so.
I would like a copy of this book, but Judy doesn’t want to subject it to the copy machine. It is one of her most treasured possessions.
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