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Escape by Vickey Stamps
I wrote this story for an e-mail friend after she read another story I'd written called the wall. She told me that she and her parents escaped from 'behind the wall' when she was only 5 and came to America. She said this story I wrote with her permission is VERY close to the truth. I am so happy to know the joy of freedom.
I hope you all like this. THE ESCAPE… © Vickey Stamps 11/18/09 “SHHHH…Shh!"the roughened bass voice of the guard vibrated in the silence of the night, silencing the growling murmurs of the dog that trotted along beside him. His duties took him across the pathway of the only other guard, as they stalked the rows of what seemed to be endless coils of criss-crossed barbed wire. Ahead lay the Berlin entrance gate, a barrier with more guards. It led to what some called the road to freedom and from an opposite direction, otherwise termed an entrance into hell. His grip on the rifle tightened, his gaze shifting about for shadows, his ears scanned alertly as they tuned in for unusual sounds. Some of the population didn’t agree with the new life within the walls and sought to escape. These same people sometimes died despite their efforts. It was a cold night in May of 1952 in East Germany. It had become for many families, a time of imprisonment within these walls, a place where separation from loved ones meant nothing to guards or military officials. Hearing and seeing nothing, the German soldier continued about his job. The couple and their child crouched in the deeper shadows near the entrance to the gate. This starless night had been hoped for. It had been decided, at the last moment, that it had become the best time to flee. A few jewels lay sewn into the hem of her parents clothing, small pieces that could be sold in exchange for cash in a free land where they could rebuild their lives. Arrangements had been made to let them slip through. Partial bribes had been paid. But who was to know how honorable these people would be once the remaining money was within their hands? It would be so easy to yell “Escape! Escape!” They would surely know the guards would not hesitate to shoot. It would not matter if it were adult or child. The child held her breath. Her heart beat so quickly she became even more frightened. Without making a sound she leaned into her father’s strong arms. None of them knew of a Savior who even now waited with them, walked with them and interceded on their behalf. She knew only of her faith in her parents and of their need to be away from this place. They had awakend her in the middle of the night, dressing her warmly in layers of clothing, for there would be no carrying bags to slow them down, only a small scentless candle and a small box of matches to help them find their way to the guide who waited in the quiet night, on the other side. “Quick. The money. Give to me now! The other soldier working with me is gone but for a short time. You have three minutes. No more. Leave now. Hurry before the supervisors come to check. GO… GO …GO !!!” The soldiers voice bordered on fear and the three did not hesitate, running into deeper shadows hugging the outer wall as they fled into the nearby trees that better hid them. Their escape had only begun. The night seemed endless and her small legs burned as she trudged along between her parents, never daring to complain nor stop, for she had been told they must put many miles behind them. A ship was waiting. It was a ship that would take them further yet, to where they could at last find real freedom. She knew how fearful that her father must be that the ship might go on without them. She knew how brave he was as well. Perhaps there would be East German soldiers that would be there waiting for them? Her mother hadn’t been well, but still she whispered words of encouragement despite her own fears and the sickness within her. She clutched her mother’s dampish hands with her own small ones, and hurried along as best she could. The child was now the older woman, remembering in more detail then she thought possible of how those days had been, how hard her father had worked upon the ship that their passage might be paid. Her mother had lived on to know again the sweet taste of reedom. A family in the land of the free was far more than just something to be hankful for. It was a treasure. A good man had led her father to know of the Savior. Her father in turn, had done that same wondrous favor for her and her mother. Life is a daily trip into the world of 'thankfulness.’ Every year she waited for December to come, for she knew Christmas lay just ahead. She well knew the story of the baby Jesus. And, she, of all people, in the land of the free, had such good reason to thank him again for being a part of her world Life was good. (This is the childhood story of Anneliese Retzler) |
Your story had chills running down my arms. We, as Americans, can only imagine the terror that lived in the hearts of those behind that wire fence! We need to thank God everyday for our liberty!
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yes, and we all need to take time, gain strength and courage and for the sake of those who follow us in life, stand up against that which is not right and good.
It touched my heart to hear from Annelise after I wrote THE WALL and hear the story of her escape with her parents. It sure made me count my blessings. Thanks for your reply. You are so write. Despite changes and problems in America, we are so much more blessed than others are. Thanks again. Vickey Stamps |
What an incredible story...with powerful writing. there are so many of these stories, and somehow we Americans become "numb" to the pain and sacrifice others made to even arrive in this country..much less be born here. Thank you for your willingness to tell the story.
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my mother and father -in law escaped a Nazi prison camp in WWII into Sweden had 1 son in Sweden .Went to Ireland
Had 2nd son in Ireland Got to US 3rd son in SC (MY husband) then to Atlanta had4th and 5th sons |
thank you for these replies. What stories they could tell (I know I would love to be able to speak to them, if they were still around) I got my story from my e-mail friend Annelise, so I could write her story. I feel blessed to be in this country. I hope it remains free forever.
Vickey Stamps |
Beauty
Originally Posted by wordpaintervs
(Post 5355102)
I wrote this story for an e-mail friend after she read another story I'd written called the wall. She told me that she and her parents escaped from 'behind the wall' when she was only 5 and came to America. She said this story I wrote with her permission is VERY close to the truth. I am so happy to know the joy of freedom.
I hope you all like this. THE ESCAPE… © Vickey Stamps 11/18/09 “SHHHH…Shh!"the roughened bass voice of the guard vibrated in the silence of the night, silencing the growling murmurs of the dog that trotted along beside him. His duties took him across the pathway of the only other guard, as they stalked the rows of what seemed to be endless coils of criss-crossed barbed wire. Ahead lay the Berlin entrance gate, a barrier with more guards. It led to what some called the road to freedom and from an opposite direction, otherwise termed an entrance into hell. His grip on the rifle tightened, his gaze shifting about for shadows, his ears scanned alertly as they tuned in for unusual sounds. Some of the population didn’t agree with the new life within the walls and sought to escape. These same people sometimes died despite their efforts. It was a cold night in May of 1952 in East Germany. It had become for many families, a time of imprisonment within these walls, a place where separation from loved ones meant nothing to guards or military officials. Hearing and seeing nothing, the German soldier continued about his job. The couple and their child crouched in the deeper shadows near the entrance to the gate. This starless night had been hoped for. It had been decided, at the last moment, that it had become the best time to flee. A few jewels lay sewn into the hem of her parents clothing, small pieces that could be sold in exchange for cash in a free land where they could rebuild their lives. Arrangements had been made to let them slip through. Partial bribes had been paid. But who was to know how honorable these people would be once the remaining money was within their hands? It would be so easy to yell “Escape! Escape!” They would surely know the guards would not hesitate to shoot. It would not matter if it were adult or child. The child held her breath. Her heart beat so quickly she became even more frightened. Without making a sound she leaned into her father’s strong arms. None of them knew of a Savior who even now waited with them, walked with them and interceded on their behalf. She knew only of her faith in her parents and of their need to be away from this place. They had awakend her in the middle of the night, dressing her warmly in layers of clothing, for there would be no carrying bags to slow them down, only a small scentless candle and a small box of matches to help them find their way to the guide who waited in the quiet night, on the other side. “Quick. The money. Give to me now! The other soldier working with me is gone but for a short time. You have three minutes. No more. Leave now. Hurry before the supervisors come to check. GO… GO …GO !!!” The soldiers voice bordered on fear and the three did not hesitate, running into deeper shadows hugging the outer wall as they fled into the nearby trees that better hid them. Their escape had only begun. The night seemed endless and her small legs burned as she trudged along between her parents, never daring to complain nor stop, for she had been told they must put many miles behind them. A ship was waiting. It was a ship that would take them further yet, to where they could at last find real freedom. She knew how fearful that her father must be that the ship might go on without them. She knew how brave he was as well. Perhaps there would be East German soldiers that would be there waiting for them? Her mother hadn’t been well, but still she whispered words of encouragement despite her own fears and the sickness within her. She clutched her mother’s dampish hands with her own small ones, and hurried along as best she could. The child was now the older woman, remembering in more detail then she thought possible of how those days had been, how hard her father had worked upon the ship that their passage might be paid. Her mother had lived on to know again the sweet taste of reedom. A family in the land of the free was far more than just something to be hankful for. It was a treasure. A good man had led her father to know of the Savior. Her father in turn, had done that same wondrous favor for her and her mother. Life is a daily trip into the world of 'thankfulness.’ Every year she waited for December to come, for she knew Christmas lay just ahead. She well knew the story of the baby Jesus. And, she, of all people, in the land of the free, had such good reason to thank him again for being a part of her world Life was good. (This is the childhood story of Anneliese Retzler) This reaches the bottom of the heart..Tells the story of a life both old and everylasting and the one to come......Love |
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