Chapter One

1941

I will sing and make music.

Home

I, Sigrid Kühl, am a young girl with wispy, blonde curls and a captivating smile (or so I am told). My aunt Charlotte, who lives in the room on the upper level of our house, is constantly doting on me with such flattering, descriptive lines. I am thankful for her and that she has never married or had children because she lives with us and showers me with every toy imaginable.

At every chance, I pitter-patter up to her room and spend time with her sweetness. She tells me stories, and I especially love the stories about me. Charlotte loves children, but as I said, she never had any of her own. She begged and begged my parents to have another child, and so I was born. I guess that is the reason I was born seven years after Jörg. I think of her as my second mother.

My father's father also lives with us, and my mother and Charlotte take good care of him. I'm not sure if it's just because he is old or if there is something wrong with him, but Opa Kühl sure does walk awful slowly with his cane. I love that he lives with us, for he is so sweet, gentle and kind. He takes a daily walk, and I regularly accompany him. As we hold hands and stroll along the sidewalk, I am careful to look out for pebbles, sticks, or anything that might cause Opa Kühl to stumble or wobble on his cane, and similarly he looks out for me. Midway through our walk, we take a rest on a bench, and I am able to have all of my curiosity satisfied as Opa Kühl patient