Today I watched a video of my Aunt Susie telling the story of her husband’s life as a child, escaping from Nazi Germany and eventually ending up in the United States. She is not my real Aunt; not related by blood, but in her story she mentions that my Uncle Gunther, her husband, had two very special friends one that he met in Cheyenne Wyoming, that was my father. So I have always know them as Aunt Susie and Uncle Gunther.

I heard Aunt Susie tell this story a month ago at a dedication ceremony at the Academy of Our Lady of Peace High School in San Diego, but she went into more detail in this video about his adult life. Uncle Gunther and Aunt Susie had two sons, the oldest and I are the same age and are great friends; we have been our whole lives. When Uncle Gunther passed away nine years ago, it was right before the Jewish holiday of Passover. I spent that Passover with the Katz family and I have attended Passover at their house every year since. This past year, thanks to COVID-19, was done online through a ZOOM Chat. I believe that I wrote about it; being grateful for that technology.

Today I am grateful that Aunt Susie is becoming more comfortable sharing Uncle Gunther’s story as Uncle Gunther had shared it in the latter part of his life. I am grateful that my father and Uncle Gunther had met, become great friends and I have an extended family. I am grateful that the son’s of both Gunther and Susie are still today some of my greatest friends, the oldest especially. I am grateful to be able to share the video that I watched this morning with you. Uncle Gunther wanted everyone to never forget, “That when you see an injustice, do not turn your back, do something to right the wrong.” That is a paraphrase, but you get the gist.

By the way, that is a photo of my father. I miss him and I never shall forget either he or my Uncle Gunther.

Shalom!

https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=3677077602334259&ref=watch_permalink