Memoir Writing Still Active at Park Place Elmhurst
Michael Harrington and his Memoir Writing Class at Park Place of Elmhurst are still engaging in activities. Here is a recent example:
Writing Family Stories Class
Michael said, "I ask you to seriously consider journaling your thoughts from time to time reflecting on this time we are spending in self-isolation protecting ourselves and our neighbors from the evil called Covid 19. I find as I do that my thoughts become somewhat lengthy, perhaps yours do as well.
I expect that by the time we are finished with the next 4 weeks of distancing we will have more than a few pages in our journals. Below I have provided an example from my own journal, which I will send to my grandchild via email today. Maybe it will give you an idea how you might proceed."
World War II: March 30, 2020
We can’t deny it is a stressful time for everyone, but I am old enough to remember another time that was also stressful. When I was seven years old, I remember President Franklin Roosevelt reading a declaration of war before Congress on the radio. Japan had attacked Pearl Harbor and crippled a major part of our Pacific fleet. Adolph Hitler’s armies were sweeping across Europe with unbelievable speed and seemed about to invade Great Britain. Japan was invading one island of the Pacific after another with almost no resistance. We were dreadfully unprepared for war. But instead of giving in to fear, the nation united and together went on a war footing. Priorities were set and as a people we lined up behind them.
I remember my father being designated to head up civil defense preparation for the City of Chicago and people participated in mock air raids. Neighbors organized the bakers on the block to bake cakes for the USO, and were collected for the service men and women passing through Chicago. Also, the Girl Scouts were asked to help, I recall that my sister helped by wrapping gauze into bandages.
Women went to work in industry making planes and tanks, they were called Rosie the riveters. We at home grew vegetables in our garden, those gardens were called Victory Gardens. I have asked our residence here to call the gardens we maintain Victory Gardens this summer and they have agreed to do so. I am reminded that the ladies here where I live at Park Place have their sewing machines going, t
I remember driving with my mother down the streets of Crystal Lake and looking at the flags in the windows of our neighbors, a silver star flag meant the family had a son in the military while a gold star flag meant the family had a son lost in combat. When we saw one of those my mother would have a tear in her eye. When we lose a person today to Covid 19 there are no flags but yes, we have losses.
Could Chicago be bombed? It was doubtful, but the point was that everybody pitched in. When the war was over our country was the strongest it had ever been and our people were bonded together. But it was not just civil bonding, we were also bonded in our faith and prayer. We prayed for our loved ones in the line of fire and their families.
We must do our part in this battle, even if means a simple thing like staying 6 feet away from everybody and self-isolating at home. For our younger ones it means fulfilling your responsibilities by not just keeping up with your school assignments but going beyond the minimum expected. It means keeping a watchful eye out for your neighbors ensuring that they have sufficient food.
Yes, at the beginning of World War II we were terribly unprepared just as we have been from the evil Covid 19, we recovered quickly then and I am confident that a similar spirit will be rekindled and we will defeat this evil.
Our country will emerge as a better people, a stronger people and with a deeper faith in God and our own possibilities.
Be kind, be strong, stay safe.
Grandpa Mike
