Women Of Courage: Daisies Are Forever Part 43

Vater stepped back, wiping the dampness from his wrinkled cheeks. "That is cleared up. But I didn't tell you because I wanted to surprise you. Mitch worked to get me on the same flight as him from New York. You have a very fine man, Gisela. I'm proud."

Then, from the corner of her eye, she noticed a woman with platinum-blond hair. "Audra." She turned to Mitch. "You brought Audra too?"

Audra laughed. "I'm in California. Where Hollywood is. Are there actors and actresses here?"

Now Gisela giggled. "Not right here." Then she embraced her former foe. "I'm glad you are here. May all of your dreams come true."

Gisela turned to Mitch. "That's only two surprises. What's the third?"

Right in front of the whole world, he got down on one knee. Her hands shook. Could he really be . . . ?

"Gisela Cramer, will you do me the honor of being my wife? For real this time?"

She squealed like a little girl. "Oh, yes yes yes."

He pulled a box from his pocket, opened it, and slipped a ring on her finger. The engagement ring had a large center diamond with small diamonds surrounding it. It looked like a daisy.

"It's gorgeous." She helped him stand.

"No more beautiful than the woman with whom I'm going to spend the rest of my life."

No more beautiful than the life they would have.

THE STORY BEHIND THE STORY.

The author with her aunt, Lillian Tolsma, the inspiration for this book and a truly courageous woman.

Ruth Sabine Hildegard Lippert, seventeen years old in February 1945, is the inspiration for the first half of this story. In her own words: "Soon thereafter, on February 8, the Russians marched into our city; we escaped by night, in temperatures of minus 20 degrees, launched into a four-week Flucht [escape]. Through the Lord's grace and s.h.i.+elding, I was able, as a fearless leader, to save a group of about ten people from certain death or captivity."

They crossed the frozen Frische Haff, were shot at by Russian planes, and rode in trucks and on trains. She endured many trials and hards.h.i.+ps and finally arrived at home in Bad Homburg four weeks later, only to be bombed out of her home the same night she arrived.

The second half of the book is based on the stories told by my aunt, Lillian Tolsma, born in the United States to parents of German descent. In the late 1930s, her family decided to return to Germany. She spent the last part of the war in Berlin, surviving almost constant bombing raids and having her apartment building bombed out while she was away from home. Once the Soviets entered the city, she had to hide from the Russians soldiers, escaping their clutches more than once.

These women's stories demonstrate that the war affected ordinary citizens on both sides of the conflict. The courage it took to survive one of the darkest periods in history was amazing.

READING GROUP GUIDE.

1. Did Gisela make the right decision to leave Ella and Opa in East Prussia? What might you have done in that situation?.

2. Was it Mitch's fault that he and the men with him were taken prisoners by the Germans at the beginning of the war?

3. Is the lying and stealing that take place throughout the book commendable or condemnable?.

4. What effect did her sister's death have on Gisela?

5. Kurt and Audra used Mitch and Gisela for their own ends. What other ways could they have gone about reaching their goals?

6. What kind of emotional toll did the near-constant bombing of Berlin take on the characters?

7. Mitch says of Gisela, "She collected waifs like people collected porcelain figurines." What does that tell you about her character?

8. How is levity added to the story? Why is it added?

9. Mitch and Gisela were both searching for redemption. Did they find it? If so, where did it come from?

10. How has the story changed your view of the everyday German citizen during the war?.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.

My deepest appreciation to Lillian Tolsma and the family of Ruth Lippert for sharing your stories with the world, so we may know what true courage looks like.

Thank you to the fabulous staff at Thomas Nelson Publishers. I have enjoyed working with my editors Becky Philpott and Julee Swarzburg. You have made me a better writer. Many thanks to Ruthie Dean, my former publicist. Your help was so appreciated. Thanks also to Becky Monds, Jodi Hughes, Daisy Hutton, and all of the many, many wonderful people there. I cannot begin to thank you enough for your care and concern for me during the illness I battled while editing this book. What a joy to work with people who understand what is important in life.

Thank you to my agent, Tamela Hanc.o.c.k Murray. Your support and availability throughout this process have been a true encouragement to me.

Without my terrific critic partner, Diana, this book wouldn't be what it is. It's fun "thinking with my fingers" with you. Thank you for spurring me on to be better and for telling me like it is.

Thank you to my eighth-grade locker partner, Ruth Lyons, for your translation of Ruth Lippert's biography. You helped me to truly understand her story.

My family's love and support allowed me to follow my dream and write this book. Thank you to my children, Brian, Alyssa, and Jonalyn, for being flexible and understanding when dinner was late or nonexistent because of a deadline. And to Doug, thank you for holding down the fort, for cleaning and cooking and carting kids around so I can follow my pa.s.sion. You make me a better person.

And while so many people had a hand in making this book a reality, the truth is that without G.o.d's blessing, not a single word would have been written. He planted the desire and the ability in me and surrounded me with just the right people at just the right time. All praise to Him.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR.

Photo by Bentfield Photography.

Liz Tolsma has lived in Wisconsin most of her life. She and her husband have a son and two daughters, all adopted internationally. When not busy putting words to paper, Liz enjoys reading, walking, working in her large perennial garden, kayaking, and camping with her family.

Visit www.LizTolsma.com.

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