Return to paradise
The winter was merciless that year. Icy winds howled through the
streets and there was little food left in the stores worth buying. Still, the
Elzinga's were much better off than the people in the West of Holland. They
had heard that people were making soup out of tulip bulbs and were
bartering for even the smallest of commodities.
The Germans had taken everything that was of any worth and scores of
bedraggled people could be seen on the road, traveling from far in hopes of
buying food from friendly farmers, although some farmers were anything
but friendly and would charge outrageous sums of money for even small
bits of food. Sometimes such travelers would ring the bell at the Elzinga's
too.
Father Elzinga would never send them away without at least something.
"You know," he would say, "When we haven't got anything left, there'll still
be Jesus. When the World has nothing left, we will still have Jesus, and He is
enough!"
But Fanny was somber that morning as she sat at the kitchen table. Even
though the wood stove was burning full blast she shivered. She stared at the
red hot flames visible through the little glass window in the belly of the
heater, but the flames did not bring her their usual comfort. Her heart was
heavy. Since the Germans had taken Klaas it seemed she had lost some of
her joy. She often came at the breakfast table with red eyes and ate little.
Whenever father Elzinga confronted her with it, she smiled bravely and told
him not to worry.
"God's in control," she said, but the war was taking its toll on her. Mother
had died in the terrible bombing in Rotterdam. Many of her friends had
disappeared. Now the Schwartzes and Uncle Benny were gone and…Klaas.
The arrest of Klaas had a deep impact on her and she missed him terribly.
At the night of the raid, she and the three Jewish refugees had stayed on
the roof for several hours. They were afraid that the Germans would come
back. It had been cold. Pajama's, after all, are not made to be worn on
rooftops. Levi Schwartz had gotten a bad cold, but they all figured it was a
small price to pay.
The next morning, however, the three refugees had to be moved
immediately. It was clear they were no longer safe at the Elzinga's. Already
at ten in the morning a horse-drawn cart with a load of hay appeared in
front of the door and took the Schwartzes to an unknown place somewhere
else in Holland. Uncle Benny was picked up an hour later by an old man
with a bike. Father Elzinga gave him his own bike and Uncle Benny left in a
hurry with only the clothes on his back.
He had hugged father Elzinga and smiled at him broadly. "Father," he
said, "I will never forget you. Don't worry about me. Things could be worse,
and remember, a sense of humor reduces problems to their proper
proportions."
And then it was only the Elzinga's again and Aunt Elly.
Fanny hadn't fully realized how much she had started to enjoy Klaas'
presence.
She prayed daily and fervently for him but knew the chance of ever
seeing him again was very slim. Although the war seemed to go well and the
Germans lost battle after battle, the enemy was more vicious, violent and
unpredictable than ever. Reports of mass killings in the feared
concentration camps had started to reach most parts of Holland and Fanny
knew there was very little mercy on Dutch prisoners. They were being
executed by the firing squads with hardly any reason. The war was now in
its fifth year and things couldn’t get any worse.
How long O God before the war will be ended?
At least she still had her work at the hospital. It helped her to forget her
pain and she worked tirelessly to help whoever it was that needed help.
She glanced outside. It was already getting dark and they had predicted
snow. What terrible weather to be outside.
Just as she got up to put more wood in the wood stove she was startled
by the sound of the doorbell.
Probably someone in need of food again.
Father was out with Aunt Elly and would not be back until later and
Willem was at his girlfriend’s place, so she was the only one home.
The bell was ringing again. It sounded loud and harsh.
"Coming!" cried Fanny while she complained under her breath that
people needed to have a little patience.
When she came by the front door she glanced through the little window
to see who it was. She couldn't quite see his features. Seemed like a young
fellow. He looked familiar. Did she know that person?
At least it's not a German.
She opened the door and looked out.
Then she gasped. A sudden warmth coursed through her body.
Could it be that…?
There in front of her, unshaven and unkempt, stood Klaas. His eyes
sparkled like the morning sun as he fumbled with the hat he held in his
hand.
"I would have brought you some flowers," he smiled, "But I have no
distribution cards."
"Klaas!"
Fanny jumped out the door and fell around his neck. "You are alive and
well,” she cried. “Come inside and tell me what happened."
Klaas' grin was as wide as the stream at Fanny's favorite spot.
"God did it, Fanny. He has brought me home in more ways than one.