The Polish Architect: A Family's Plan That Falls Apart Then Succeeds

By Ron Molenda

A hardworking and loving family in Poland is uprooted and separated by World War II. The mother and her four children are able to reach the United States prior to Hitlers invasion of Poland. The father and youngest son choose to remain in Poland so that the boy can finish his college education and then join the family in the United States at a later date. The plan fails, and they are stuck in Europe. The family is separated for the duration of the war. When the war ends, they are reunited with the help of the Red Cross, and the father and son are finally able to rejoin their family.

The youngest son, a successful architect, marries and has a son who later becomes a priest. The family is hit with a tragedy, but it eventually allows good things to happenthings that will help many unfortunate people live better lives.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Aug 31, 2017
• ISBN: 9781546206071

Ron Molenda

The author was born and raised in South Bend, Indiana. He is a first-generation American. His father was born in Poland and came to the United States when he was nine years old. His mother’s father also came from Poland when he was very young. The author was raised in a Polish neighborhood and attended a Catholic Polish grade school. He enjoys Polish food and many of the customs. He and his brother were raised by his parents while they lived with his grandfather and aunt. Growing up during World War II, the author was very aware of the hardship that families were going through, including his own. His first cousin was killed in a bombing raid over Germany, and an uncle was crippled for the rest of his life after he was hit with shrapnel. Through all the turmoil of war, his family survived to live happy and constructive lives. They raised good children and practiced their religion faithfully.

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© 2017 by Ron Molenda. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 08/30/2017

ISBN: 978-1-5462-0608-8 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5462-0607-1 (e)

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

CONTENTS

Chapter-1

Chapter-2

Chapter-3

Chapter-4

Chapter-5

Chapter-6

Chapter-7

CHAPTER-1

A nna and her sister-in-law, Lisa, were visibly excited as they boarded the LOT Airlines plane in Chicago. Their destination was Warsaw, Poland. They were a bit tired after the long trip from northern Indiana on the South Shore train to the Loop in downtown Chicago. A shuttle then took them to O’Hare International Airport on the north side. It had rained overnight, and the air smelled clean and fresh. It made the girls feel good. They both looked up at the bright blue sky and said, Looks like a good day to fly.

Then Anna looked at Lisa and asked, How would we know a good day from one that’s not? They both laughed and ran into the terminal.

The activity at the airport added to their excitement. While they waited to board, they watched fellow travelers rushing about, moms holding onto little children and dads trying to manage the luggage. Businessmen were well dressed and very demanding, wanting to know the exact times of departures and arrivals. To the average person, flying was a way of travel used mainly by people with money and position. Certainly, it was not for two young working girls.

The airport was a strange place to Anna and Lisa because they had never flown before. Anna had never even been in an airport before now. Anna said to Lisa, This building is fantastic. Windows from ceiling to floor. You can see the whole world through one window.

Lisa replied, Yes, it does seem that you can.

Anna looked at Lisa and said, Maybe we should have gone by boat.

Lisa laughed. Anna, we are on a mission and need to get to Poland fast. Do you remember how long it took to come by boat? We just don’t have the time.

Anna said, I know. I’m just excited.

Their mission was to try to find out what happened to Anna’s father, Andrew Bozek, affectionately known to the family as Pa, and to her younger brother, Victor, a college student. Anna, her mother, Irene, and her three older brothers—Ray, Al, and Stan—had left Poland just before the beginning of World War ll. Andrew’s plan was that he and Victor would leave Poland after Victor finished his last semester of college. During this time Pa would sell the farm and all the livestock. But when this did not happen, Irene was brokenhearted. Irene was sure that Andrew’s plans were disrupted when Germany attacked Poland. She feared the worst. She prayed constantly for her husband and son’s safety.

Some months ago it seemed Irene’s prayers had been answered when she received a package containing a journal that she’d asked Pa to keep when she bid him goodbye. Irene and the children were living in a rooming house in South Chicago at the time. As she shared the journal with her daughter and sons, Irene learned Andrew and Victor had not escaped the terror of the Nazis.

Now that the war had ended and the family was living in northern Indiana, Irene was starting to lose hope of ever seeing her husband and son again. Irene constantly asked Anna to notify the Red Cross and update their address. Anna told her many times that she had and assured her mom that when new arrivals came into the country, they were offered assistance from the Red Cross in locating family members. Anna did all she could to ease her mother’s constant worrying. But Irene would say in tearful broken English, They were victims of the damn Nazis. Her daughter and sons tried to comfort her, but to no avail. Irene became silent and depressed as time passed, and she received no word from her husband and son.

When she lived in Poland, Irene had two sisters and a brother who lived in small villages near her. They left Poland shortly after she did. Sadly, there had not been a word from them either. She feared and prayed for all of them. Irene’s sister Angie had one son and two daughters. Her sister Gladys had three daughters. Irene’s brother, Al, had two children, a daughter and a son.

Pa had only one older brother, Herman. He was a widower and had no children. His wife was never a healthy person. She had breathing problems for most of her short life. Herman loved her very much, and when she died, he said, My Dorothy was the only woman I ever wanted to share my life with. He never remarried.

Herman farmed a small cherry orchard just down the road from where Pa lived. Herman’s favorite pastime, other than the orchard, was tending his bees. When he was younger, he had as many as ten hives. As time went on and he got older, he cut back to just a couple hives. When Pa invited him to leave Poland with Irene and the children, he refused, saying he would never even think about leaving Poland. Pa understood, but he was not happy with Herman’s decision. Pa loved his brother very much and feared for his future.

When Victor was a young boy, Pa let him walk down the road to his uncle Herman’s house. Herman and Victor got along great. When the cherries were ripe, they walked through the orchard together and ate the fruit right off the trees. Herman tried to get Victor interested in his bees, but he chose to stay away from them as they scared him. Even as a young boy, Victor could tell that his uncle Herman loved his orchard. The trees were pruned regularly, and the grounds were kept neat and well maintained. There were no rotted cherries lying around that would attract rodents. When Herman talked about his orchard, it was like he was talking about his family. He sounded very caring.

When Herman thought Victor was getting bored, they walked back to the house and rested. Herman cared for his very modest home with pride. He kept it clean and cozy. It had a big window that overlooked the orchard. There was always plenty of food and drink and a couple of lazy cats lying on the windowsill half asleep.

His uncle Herman played the harmonica very well. Victor would ask him. Do you think you’d have time to play a tune for me?

Uncle Herman said, Yes, with pleasure. Victor’s favorites were the slow, moody lullabies that almost put him to sleep. When this happened, Herman would throw in a fast and loud one and wake the boy up. Victor thought that the harmonica was a fun instrument. By the time he was a teenager, Uncle Herman had taught Victor to play the harmonica really well. The two of them made great music together and had lots of fun doing it. Victor’s harmonica became a lifelong companion to him, and it gave him much pleasure. Like his uncle Herman, he played for his own enjoyment and relaxation, seldom at anyone’s request.

When Anna returned home from work at the hospital one warm summer day, she threw her purse on the coffee table in the living room and went in search of her mother. Irene was not fond of pets inside the house. She told the kids many times, Pets belong in the barn. People belong in the house. But there was one exception, Freddie, Irene’s pet canary. She loved Freddie as much as any other family member. She kept his cage as clean as she kept the house. When she cleaned his cage, she closed all the doors and windows and let Freddie fly around the house. It was something to see.

The first place Anna went when she came home was the kitchen. There she would usually find Irene, preparing supper and talking to Freddie or listening to him sing. But today when she went to the kitchen, she found Freddie asleep on his perch, and there was nothing cooking on the stove. Anna was a little worried and went to Irene’s bedroom, where she found her in bed. She was dressed in a housedress, including an apron that seemed to be part of her wardrobe.

When Anna entered her mother’s bedroom, she was reminded of her bedroom in Lubstow, Poland, where her family lived before coming to America. The room was very simple. It contained only a dresser, a bed with a Prezyna (a thick feather comforter), a nightstand with a lamp, a dresser, her rosary, and a clock. There was a crucifix above the door, and a picture of Our Lady of Chestahowa hung on the wall. On the floor was a braided rag rug that Irene had made. Everything was in its place, neat and clean.

Anna saw that her mother had been crying. Irene’s eyes were all red and puffy. What’s wrong, Ma? Why are you in bed, and why are you crying? Anna thought her mother might not be feeling well.

Irene assured her that she felt fine and said, I’m worried sick about Pa and Victor. It’s been so long with no news. Anna begged her not to give up hope and promised her that one day when things settled down in Europe, she would go back to Poland to try to find out what had happened to Pa and Victor. This promise seemed to hearten Irene. But while there were no more afternoons spent in bed, her mother still worried.

Anna’s best friend, Lisa, lived with her parents just down the block, a short distance from the Bozeks. Lisa was a widow. Her husband was killed in an automobile accident shortly after they were married. Lisa’s family, the Harrises, and the Bozek family had a close relationship. When the Bozeks came from Chicago to live in South Bend, the Harrises helped them get settled. Irene often helped Lisa’s mother, Jane, cook Polish dishes. Although Jane’s heritage was Polish, she did not prepare many Polish dishes because her husband was not Polish. It was not that he didn’t like Polish food. He did. The family just preferred more of a daily variety. It helped Irene to be with Jane and help her cook. It was fun, and they both enjoyed each other’s company. It was a good diversion for Irene as it helped her to forget her worries about Pa and Victor.

Anna and Lisa, being almost the same age, spent a lot of time together, especially when they were in high school and soon became good friends. When Lisa got married, Anna stood up in her wedding and also helped Lisa’s mother, Jane, make her wedding dress. Lisa and her husband lived on the other side of town, but after the tragic accident that took her husband’s life, Lisa moved back home with her parents. Anna spent many hours at the Harris’s house, comforting Lisa through her grief.

Anna would date often and felt that it was time for Lisa to start dating since her husband had been dead for almost eighteen months. Anna got up the courage and asked Lisa if she would like to go on a double date with her, and surprisingly, Lisa agreed. Anna was glad to hear that Lisa was ready to start living a normal life again. They double-dated often and had good times, but neither one ever got serious. Anna and Lisa planned on going to a ball game with their dates, but Anna’s date was called to work and had to cancel at the last minute. Lisa asked her brother Leo if he would fill in and ask Anna to the ball game. Leo was a handsome, hardworking electrician that worked many hours and didn’t seem to have time to date much. Leo was more than happy to ask Anna to the ball game. The date went well, but it was nothing special. It was more like a favor for a friend.

When Anna would come to the house to see Lisa, she and Leo would talk and laugh together, but that was the end of it. One evening Leo heard Anna telling Lisa that sparks would come out of the outlet when she plugged in the iron at home, and that really scared her mom. Leo explained that he overheard their conversation and asked Anna if he could come to her house and check the outlet and make sure that it was safe to use. Anna thanked him and offered to fix him lunch if he would do that. Leo just smiled. When Leo got to the Bozek house, Anna took him to the kitchen and showed him the outlet that she was concerned about. Leo just decided to replace the outlet to be on the safe side. As he open his toolbox, all of a sudden, he stopped and just stared out the window. Anna asked him if there was a problem, and he started to cry. Anna was dumbfounded and asked him what was wrong. Leo apologized and asked if he could come back later. Anna said yes, but she really wanted to know what was wrong. He reached out and gently held her hand and told her about his partner, Bud. Bud had an accident working with high voltage. One of his tools touched a terminal and sent thousands of volts through his body. Leo heard him cry out and ran to him. He was shocked to see what had happened to his friend. Anna could see the pain on his face while he was telling her the story of what happened. Anna knew that Leo was hurting. Leo told her that the doctor’s report was not very promising. It said Bud could be paralyzed and would require months of therapy. He went on to tell Anna about an agreement he and Bud had. He explained to her that they would take turns doing the dangerous jobs, and that week it was Bud’s turn. Leo realized that it was an accident but that he just felt a little guilty. Anna tried to reassure him that it was not his fault and that he was not being fair to himself by feeling guilty about it. She assured him that working with electricity was very dangerous and accidents are often crippling if not fatal. She knew that it would take time for Leo to heal the hurt in his heart.

Leo finished installing the new outlet and thanked Anna for listening to his story about his friend’s accident. Anna made good on her promise and fixed lunch for them. While they were eating, she advised him to talk to Father Don, the parish priest who had served in the army. He had counseled many men who had had friends who were injured or killed. Anna said that she knew Father Don from working with him at the hospital, where he served as a counselor. He was a great guy and would know how to help him with the hurt. Leo thanked her for lunch and promised to call Father Don. To Anna’s surprise, he insisted on helping her with the dishes. Before he left, he invited her to dinner the next weekend. She smiled and accepted.

The very next day, Leo called Father Don and made an appointment to talk to him about his friend’s accident and his feelings of guilt. Father Don asked Leo to meet him at a local café that was located in the heart of town. When Leo got there, his mood seemed to change. The cafe was alive with people who were laughing, talking, and enjoying life. Father Don was at a table on the upper level that overlooked the main part of the café. The table sat off to the side and was rather private. Father Don used this café with its upbeat atmosphere as a tool when counseling people with depression. Leo and Father Don introduced themselves to each other, and Father went right to work. Conversation came easy, and the session went well. The two of them talked for more than an hour. Father didn’t like to go much beyond an hour. He felt that was the comfort zone for him and his client. After a series of visits with Father Don, Leo felt better about himself and the feeling of guilt was starting to go away. Weeks later after his counseling sessions were over, Leo and Father would meet for coffee at the same cafe and just talk. Leo was happy to tell Father Don that his friend Bud was doing really well. He told him that Don was not paralyzed and that his therapy sessions were almost over. In fact, he was scheduled to return to work in a couple of weeks. Father was glad to hear Leo’s good news. He could see that Leo was no longer burdened with the pain of guilt. He actually looked upbeat and positive.

In the weeks to come, Leo would find one reason or the other to go over to the Bozek house, and when he did, he would always bring a treat for Freddie. He would stop at the pet store and pick up what was called a special canary treat. Irene loved the treats he brought.