My summer '17 trip has come to a close, pausing for time to reflect on the past and dream for the future.  Rocky River's Lake Erie café where I now sit seems far away from Poland's mountains and England's Lake District, but vivid memories linger with the scent of coffee, enabling me to reflect on what's truly important: family, the need to preserve our past, and learn for the future.

​Here's just a few thoughts as I close this latest sojourn and chapter into Captured in Liberation:
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There may be no place on this earth more chilling than a visit to the Auschwitz museum.  The infamous Nazi death camp stands as a stark reminder to the evil and destruction that man is capable of imposing on fellow humans.  Here, large groups follow tour guides, silently listening to indescribable atrocities that were committed on these grounds, viewing icons and rooms where unthinkable acts were performed to systematically eliminate an entire race of humanity. In areas of the camp where the absolute worst atrocities occurred,  visitors are asked to remain silent to honor the dead. They file along as if in another world.  I somehow got separated from my English speaking guide, so wandered alone for over three hours, going at my own pace to read and learn the history of this nightmarish reality. Among the many things I was interested in learning was the fate suffered by a family member, Tadeusz Lekki.  

My fathers cousin and close friend, Tadeusz Lekki, was one of the earliest arrivals at Auschwitz, arrested in Bochnia early 1941 for allegedly plotting against the German occupiers.  As mentioned in my book, he was sent away with no trial the day after his arrest and never seen again.  I learned that anyone accused of sabotage against the Germans were treated particularly harsh, even by the camp's sadistic standards, and Tadeusz did not survive the year.  He was admitted to the infirmary for x-rays on 23 July, likely the subject of experimental studies, and died on 6 September. I visited block #18 where these gruesome experiments occurred, right next to a stark courtyard where prisoners were unceremoniously rounded up, shot, and killed. I left a note for Tadeusz in a guest log, letting him know that he is not forgotten. If you could, I ask that you say a prayer for him and all the lost souls whose lives ended in such dark cruel helpless fashion.   .

While there may be no place more sobering that Auschwitz, there is no place on earth  more peaceful than the top of a mountain.  My final day in Poland was spent hiking up to this mountain peak, lagging behind Michal and Gaba who were kind enough to slow down and keep me going. Lots to reflect on..... 

This photo was taken immediately following a productive meeting in front of the Press Building for Jagiellonian University in Krakow, one of Europe's oldest and most renowned Universities. My cousin Michal and I were feeling good, the Press representative expressed a strong interest to work with me on an updated edition of my book, including a Polish translation.  It was clear to me while in Poland, particularly following the talk in Bochnia, how important it is to the people of Poland to preserve their history with stories of the past. There may be no country who has suffered more than Poland in recent history, who fought so bravely to help defeat an evil empire, only to lose their own freedom.  Fortunately, the pride and perseverance of the Polish people prevailed and  their freedom now restored.  We must all  learn from the past to ensure that the same mistakes are not repeated.    

So ends this latest journey into the story of my family.  Just as my mother looked out in wonder to the sea from the same bluffs behind me in this photo, I now return in some wonder of where the next chapter of Captured in Liberation will take me. Thanks for allowing me to share my travels with you.

Before this trip, I last visited England in my late 20's.  At that time, I knew little of the circumstances surrounding my parents meeting at the dance in Haverigg, and starting a new life together in my mother's birthplace.  Now enlightened with their story, the Lake District landscape appeared more vivid, the people of Cumbria more connected to my past, and family members closer. 

The road to Millom, with the Sea's tide visible in the Bay. 

The cemetery where my grandmother Mary "Minnie" Graham is buried.  Here I fulfilled a promise that I made on the last page of my book's epilogue.

My Uncle Wilf.  The family lost touch with him shortly after the War, and nobody learned of his whereabouts or fate. But his colorful spirit lives with us forever. 

Over two dozen locals from Millom showed up at the town library for my book talk, most of them with a Polish friend or family member who settled in Millom after the War.  Unfortunately, I have no photos during the talk, but this group showed up about 30 minutes early. During the talk, tea was served and the group sat perfectly silent until I completed, followed by warm applause and enthusiastic discussion. 

This is Ida, the friendly girl who befriended my mother upon her arrival at the new school in Millom, as told in the book.  She was surprised when she met me, apparently thinking that the son of Iris would be much shorter.  I don't think she wanted us to leave.

The tide is out along the Haverigg shore.  My mother and her cousins spent many hours together on the bluffs in the background, where the Barrow shipyards sit across the Bay and the Isle of Man is visible on a clear day. 

The church spire in Millom was a comforting landmark to find my way on the walk from Haverigg. 

Following Danusia and Nick (with Molly) for a morning walk.

When not carting me around Millom and the Lake District, cousin David was helping with research, getting us into some humorous situations, and acting as my partner in crime. As they say in England, "well done ol' boy"

On Tuesday, July 4, the audience from my father's hometow of Bochnia arrived early to hear a presentation of my book, Captured in Liberation. Seated in the front rows were family members from Bochnia and surrounding cities, and filling the room (and adjoining room) were townsfolk.  As the head librarian introduced me to the audience with a copy of my book in hand and my interpreter to my right, it started to feel surreal to me that I would soon share a story that I only learned about 4 years ago in the location where so much of the story takes place.... the story of my father during World War II.

Throughout the presentation, my father,  mother, sisters Julie and Celia, and daughters Brittany and Lauren watched through Skype. Following the formal talk, we put them on the big screen so the audience could see them and ask my father questions. I was then presented with beautiful symbolic gifts from family members and the librarian, who obviously read the story to realize how much her gifts would mean to me.  

Following an hour of signing books with hugs and laughs mixed in with a few tears, some family members from Bochnia of course suggested that we top off the evening at a local restaurant.  It was an evening that I will forever remember, and many others echoed the same sentiments.

The town of Bochnia lies about 30 miles east of this mound outside of Krakow. looking south are the Carpathian Mountains, the Tatras are the highest range that can be seen toward the right of this photo.  My father and Artur began their quest to join Anders Army from Bochnia, and it took two days to reach these mountains. From their, they crossed the mountains, into Slovakia.  In two days, I will share this story to the residents of Bochnia. 

My cousin Marian greeted me in Bochnia, and immediately took we on a tour of the town, where I soon began to realize the significance and meaning of the presentation he has arranged. He seems to know everyone in the city, and everywhere we went he broke into conversation, introducing me and explaining the upcoming talk. Many people were quite interested and other mentioned that they were already aware and planned on attending.  

This gentleman was walking across the street, and shouted over that he has seen me on the internet, and also the video with my father.  He walked over to share the importance of preserving Polish history, and told me that he would also attend.  He was both surprised and pleased when I told him that I'd like to take his photo. 

Thanks to the hard work and persistence of my cousins in Poland, we are all prepared for a book talk on the evening of July 4 in Bochnia, Poland, the hometown of my father.  Here is the poster that they prepared. We have also arranged to skype in my father for the evening, so that he can watch and participate in the presentation.  I'll be sure to share some photos, maybe a short video, and of course photos of my cousins and family members who are making this special day possible.

It's been two years since I left Europe and last updated this blog... lots have happened since the summer of 2015.  My book, Captured in Liberation, was published in December of 2016, and that has opened doors that I could never have imagined.  Just last week, I spoke in my hometown of Elyria right in the shadows of where I grew up, with my father in attendance.  That and other speaking engagements have reintroduced old class mates and acquaintances (some who I've not seen since my childhood), old friends of my father, and many more.  Soon I will be going back to Europe, visiting England and Poland, to complete yet more unfinished business. I have a talk scheduled in my father's hometown of Bochnia, Poland. The local library has scheduled two hours for the evening, my young cousins to help as interpreters.  I will also go back to England for the first time in over 30 years, where a reunion with family members is being planned. Among my visits will be a lonely cemetery in Burgh by Sands, to do what I promised in the last page of the book's Epilogue.
​I welcome you to join me in this new  adventure.