8/4/17 My mother’s father came to this country from Germany with $25 in his pockets. His sister and mother came here after WWII. Aunt Clara was a nurse, albeit retired. She lived in a home for the elderly in Chicago, the Altenheim, I think it was called. Every gift she gave us came with these exquisite gift cards. Were they sold in Chicago in the 60’s? Where would you get something like this? I always thought they seemed like they were from another time.
They were.
She never had children and I am still tracking down what happened to her husband. He served in the war. She always, even as a young child, had a solemn sad appearance. But as an elderly aunt to us, it would be erased when we came to visit.
Wish I had been more engaged, I was 10.