November 2006
Some people stalk movie stars while others lusting after power have a ‘thing’ for politicians. I would chase after a good author living halfway across the globe or to the grave. That’s pretty much what happened this weekend. I wanted to prepare for a quiet Sunday that I knew would be on my horizon. I can’t bring myself to spend money at a B&N or K&B or a “chained” establishment and I actually enjoy the experience of an out-of-the-way bookseller or the local library’s USED books store.
So, with the intent of honoring our veteran's I headed over to our little Library booksotre/trailer and hunted for treasures. I was actually looking for "Flags of our Fathers," (a book authored by James Bradley & Ron Powers – a current Director Clint Eastwood’s WWII epic about the Battle of Iwo Jima).While this would have been an appropriate read for the holiday, alas as is the case with re-sales, you must be open to unexpected gifts. And then “in my hands memories of a holocaust rescuer” so perfectly landed at my fingertips. For a $1.00 I had to claim this book, and ‘her’ story as mine.
in my hands is the remarkable story of Irene Gut Opdyke who was born May 5, 1922 in a small village in Eastern Poland. Enrolled in nursing school in 1939 when the German army invaded Poland, Irene volunteered to join a Polish army unit. She was subsequently captured, beaten and raped by Russian soldiers. Later she was forced to work in a German ammunition factory and then as a waitress in a Nazi officers' dining room. Made aware of the German intention to exterminate the Jews, she was determined to save as many as possible. From the small step of passing food under a fence she ended up hiding 12 Jews in the basement of a German officer's villa. Irene’s story is told with the help of a brilliant writer, Jennifer Armstrong.
I finished the book in a couple hours and then ran to my computer to do research on Irene. Oh, my God, I thought, when I learned that she lives in Yorba Linda... I must find her. Search on… She resides in a nursing home in Fullerton, (not too far from her residence). I will go there today. There must be something Catholics can do for Israel this moment and Irene would tell me. And finally I stumbled upon her obit, tripping like a ghost dancing on a grave landing on a tombstone. My opportunity was gone as quickly as it had appeared.
But then, there was still something that needed to be done. I had to find the woman who sat with Irene. The woman who held her hand and listened to her amazing story. How blessed and rich her life is. To know Jennifer is to know her. So back to my closest friend~ Google; and I was able to locate the author. Maybe it was that I shared that I am Polish, I am Catholic, and I am married to a Jew. I try to live by Galatians 6:10, "therefore as we have the opportunity, let us do good to all people." Or maybe it was my email that moved Ms. Jennifer Armstrong, author, from Sarasota Springs, New York. And so I wrote, "It is with gratitude that I write to you today to thank you in advance for autographing this copy of your book, Irene’s story, in my hands. I have enclosed a self-addressed envelop & postage for your convenience and generosity. I have so many questions to ask of Irene and of you. I shut my eyes and imagine that I am allowed to ask each of you only one. And so to Irene, I would ask, “how did you reconcile the words of Father Joseph who would not give you absolution with your Catholic faith, with God, with your heart?” And for you Jennifer, “because you are young with so much more to write over a lifetime, where do you find comfort when someone else’s story breaks your heart and you do not have the power to mend it?”
I feel as though I know you through your book. You are an amazing, gifted, talented writer. I, too, knew I would be a writer at an early age, but perhaps becoming a successful grant writer, helping charities tell their story for support, while not as glamorous, it has afforded me a living while being a mom and demonstrating to my children that they have an obligation to make this world as good as they can.
The internet is an amazing resource. It brought me so close to Irene and closer to you. The value of a book is priceless. Whether a story concocted in one’s head, or told to someone else, it is a labor of love that is meant to travel long distances. When my autographed copy returns to me I know it will have stories to tell and will be shared with others, I promise. Again, thank you Jennifer from the bottom of my heart."
It was easy to send her an email but what was amazing is that in a couple of hours I had a response from her. “Hi Charlene, My goodness, what a moving message! I would be only too happy to inscribe your book for you. I was indeed blessed to know Irene for a brief time. It is very encouraging to know that her story still inspires readers. All best wishes, Jennifer”
So, quicker than you can say, you’ve got mail, I sent a letter and my copy of the book to Jennifer. But that wasn’t where the story ended. Jennifer had suggested that I write to Irene’s daughter, Janina and share my sentiments with her. She had even told me how to locate her. Yes, slap me I must be dreaming. I have caught up with the miracle daughter, Janina. Her email arrived later that same day. “Hi, I'm Irene Opdyke's daughter Jeannie (Janina). I see that there are questions I can help with. I have kept up telling my mother’s story at schools and churches - anywhere... I feel this is a story that continues on and must be shared. Thank you for your wonderful comments about my Mom and her book. I can see that you are a talented writer yourself; I've just re-read your words. I was looking at the question you asked Jennifer that you would have liked to asked my Mom. You asked Jennifer how my mom reconciled the words of Father Joseph over the absolution she was seeking. I'm not sure if Jennifer would be able to answer that, but I believe that I can - it's something that my mom and I talked about several times.
My mom's relationship with the Catholic Church was severed that day actually - but not her relationship with God. She searched the scriptures herself to find answers and she began to believed that God had answered her prayers when she asked Him to let her help in anyway she could. She found the verse in John 15:13 - where Jesus says "No greater Love has this, than a man lay his life down for his friends." For my mom, this "act of service" was her demonstration of laying her life down for her friends, and she decided that she was right where God wanted her.
Mom married my Father who was not a Catholic, and when I was born and raised we didn't attend any church at all. Mom's faith and belief in God was ever present and strong but she was greatly hurt by the "church". It was later in her life (actually, once she began to speak and tell her story) that she began going to church, although not a Catholic Church. She visited several protestant churches and attended regularly, although never joined any.
Later, when some of her sisters began to visit her in California, she went to the Polish Catholic Church in Yorba Linda with them. It was very helpful and healing when the Vatican gave her the honor of a special Papal blessing, and it was made even more wonderful because it was given to her in a Jewish Synagogue, the service done by both Rabbi’s and Priests.
At her memorial service which was held at Chapman University in Orange, I had several of my Mother's dear close friends help with the service, a Rabi, Priest, minister, and other close friends - I believe it was fitting since my Mother's life message was to unify people together.
I'd be glad to answer any more questions you might have, it's always a joy to share Mom with others. God's riches blessing on you. Jeannie Smith
My awe my, today a little paperback, autographed by Jennifer Armstrong arrived in a plain white envelope.
So, with the intent of honoring our veteran's I headed over to our little Library booksotre/trailer and hunted for treasures. I was actually looking for "Flags of our Fathers," (a book authored by James Bradley & Ron Powers – a current Director Clint Eastwood’s WWII epic about the Battle of Iwo Jima).While this would have been an appropriate read for the holiday, alas as is the case with re-sales, you must be open to unexpected gifts. And then “in my hands memories of a holocaust rescuer” so perfectly landed at my fingertips. For a $1.00 I had to claim this book, and ‘her’ story as mine.
in my hands is the remarkable story of Irene Gut Opdyke who was born May 5, 1922 in a small village in Eastern Poland. Enrolled in nursing school in 1939 when the German army invaded Poland, Irene volunteered to join a Polish army unit. She was subsequently captured, beaten and raped by Russian soldiers. Later she was forced to work in a German ammunition factory and then as a waitress in a Nazi officers' dining room. Made aware of the German intention to exterminate the Jews, she was determined to save as many as possible. From the small step of passing food under a fence she ended up hiding 12 Jews in the basement of a German officer's villa. Irene’s story is told with the help of a brilliant writer, Jennifer Armstrong.
I finished the book in a couple hours and then ran to my computer to do research on Irene. Oh, my God, I thought, when I learned that she lives in Yorba Linda... I must find her. Search on… She resides in a nursing home in Fullerton, (not too far from her residence). I will go there today. There must be something Catholics can do for Israel this moment and Irene would tell me. And finally I stumbled upon her obit, tripping like a ghost dancing on a grave landing on a tombstone. My opportunity was gone as quickly as it had appeared.
But then, there was still something that needed to be done. I had to find the woman who sat with Irene. The woman who held her hand and listened to her amazing story. How blessed and rich her life is. To know Jennifer is to know her. So back to my closest friend~ Google; and I was able to locate the author. Maybe it was that I shared that I am Polish, I am Catholic, and I am married to a Jew. I try to live by Galatians 6:10, "therefore as we have the opportunity, let us do good to all people." Or maybe it was my email that moved Ms. Jennifer Armstrong, author, from Sarasota Springs, New York. And so I wrote, "It is with gratitude that I write to you today to thank you in advance for autographing this copy of your book, Irene’s story, in my hands. I have enclosed a self-addressed envelop & postage for your convenience and generosity. I have so many questions to ask of Irene and of you. I shut my eyes and imagine that I am allowed to ask each of you only one. And so to Irene, I would ask, “how did you reconcile the words of Father Joseph who would not give you absolution with your Catholic faith, with God, with your heart?” And for you Jennifer, “because you are young with so much more to write over a lifetime, where do you find comfort when someone else’s story breaks your heart and you do not have the power to mend it?”
I feel as though I know you through your book. You are an amazing, gifted, talented writer. I, too, knew I would be a writer at an early age, but perhaps becoming a successful grant writer, helping charities tell their story for support, while not as glamorous, it has afforded me a living while being a mom and demonstrating to my children that they have an obligation to make this world as good as they can.
The internet is an amazing resource. It brought me so close to Irene and closer to you. The value of a book is priceless. Whether a story concocted in one’s head, or told to someone else, it is a labor of love that is meant to travel long distances. When my autographed copy returns to me I know it will have stories to tell and will be shared with others, I promise. Again, thank you Jennifer from the bottom of my heart."
It was easy to send her an email but what was amazing is that in a couple of hours I had a response from her. “Hi Charlene, My goodness, what a moving message! I would be only too happy to inscribe your book for you. I was indeed blessed to know Irene for a brief time. It is very encouraging to know that her story still inspires readers. All best wishes, Jennifer”
So, quicker than you can say, you’ve got mail, I sent a letter and my copy of the book to Jennifer. But that wasn’t where the story ended. Jennifer had suggested that I write to Irene’s daughter, Janina and share my sentiments with her. She had even told me how to locate her. Yes, slap me I must be dreaming. I have caught up with the miracle daughter, Janina. Her email arrived later that same day. “Hi, I'm Irene Opdyke's daughter Jeannie (Janina). I see that there are questions I can help with. I have kept up telling my mother’s story at schools and churches - anywhere... I feel this is a story that continues on and must be shared. Thank you for your wonderful comments about my Mom and her book. I can see that you are a talented writer yourself; I've just re-read your words. I was looking at the question you asked Jennifer that you would have liked to asked my Mom. You asked Jennifer how my mom reconciled the words of Father Joseph over the absolution she was seeking. I'm not sure if Jennifer would be able to answer that, but I believe that I can - it's something that my mom and I talked about several times.
My mom's relationship with the Catholic Church was severed that day actually - but not her relationship with God. She searched the scriptures herself to find answers and she began to believed that God had answered her prayers when she asked Him to let her help in anyway she could. She found the verse in John 15:13 - where Jesus says "No greater Love has this, than a man lay his life down for his friends." For my mom, this "act of service" was her demonstration of laying her life down for her friends, and she decided that she was right where God wanted her.
Mom married my Father who was not a Catholic, and when I was born and raised we didn't attend any church at all. Mom's faith and belief in God was ever present and strong but she was greatly hurt by the "church". It was later in her life (actually, once she began to speak and tell her story) that she began going to church, although not a Catholic Church. She visited several protestant churches and attended regularly, although never joined any.
Later, when some of her sisters began to visit her in California, she went to the Polish Catholic Church in Yorba Linda with them. It was very helpful and healing when the Vatican gave her the honor of a special Papal blessing, and it was made even more wonderful because it was given to her in a Jewish Synagogue, the service done by both Rabbi’s and Priests.
At her memorial service which was held at Chapman University in Orange, I had several of my Mother's dear close friends help with the service, a Rabi, Priest, minister, and other close friends - I believe it was fitting since my Mother's life message was to unify people together.
I'd be glad to answer any more questions you might have, it's always a joy to share Mom with others. God's riches blessing on you. Jeannie Smith
My awe my, today a little paperback, autographed by Jennifer Armstrong arrived in a plain white envelope.
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