Roots - Sally and Clara Ermann - After the Death of Else

After the death of Else, my grandmother decided to give up her home and move in with us, as Papa was often away on business. She took on the responsibility of caring for us and running the household.
At that time, Oswald and I attended the Philanthropin, a well-known Jewish school conveniently close at the rear of our flat in Scheffelstrasse 11, ground floor.


In 1936, Oswald went to school in Belgium to learn fluent French and I left Germany in December 1938 after Kristallnacht. These were stressful days. On the night of my departure, after seeing me off, my father had the first in a series of heart attacks which left him progressively weaker and he died on 17th March 1939.

Translation
Letter from Oma (Clara) Ermann 20.03.1939

My dear dear Lorchen,

Your good dear Papa has left us now, left us for ever, released from his suffering. We must be brave, my dear Lorchen, compose ourselves and grant Papa eternal peace. He died thinking of you both and his last words were for you. He died with the words “my children.” Just as his last words and his last thoughts were for you and dear Oswald, I hope that you too will remember him with great love and honour and always remember to do only those things that would make him happy and give him joy if he were alive.

Stay close, you and Oswald, never let go of each other and help one another in happy days and sadness, when things shared become more bearable. Be good and upright and if something happens always ask yourself if your dear Papa would approve and if you think he would find it right, it will be the right decision.

Your dear Papa was so happy with your last letter and we had to read it again and again and he was happy in the thought that you had fallen on your feet and he is always with you in your thoughts, with you and Oswald.

Parting with you was difficult for him and the uncertainty with Oswald made his condition worse. But the illness was there and the doctor said it was already advanced. And now, dear Lorchen, I want to tell you everything about his last weeks.

Papa had his first heart attack on the night of your departure. Then the attacks repeated from time to time and happened during the night. He was treated by Dr. Marx who told me straight that it was a blockage in the arteries of the heart and that his condition was very doubtful. Now Papa was feeling unwell and stayed in bed during the morning. He got up at meal time and then lay down again. He lost a great deal of weight and became noticeably weaker. It was very stressful and I slept on a chaise longue in the room with him until we took a night nurse a week ago on Friday when he had a severe attack.

He was mentally very alert and when letters arrived from you and Oswald he was happy that you were no longer here. A letter from the headmistresses at the school gave him tremendous pleasure and he was very touched by it. He kept it on his bed, read it again and again, and read it aloud to all who came. Thank the ladies and I will write to them myself. Friday Midday Papa was in quite good spirits and Tante Georgel came to see him. He asked her to promise that she would go to Oswald if he died and he felt his imminent death. Tante Georgel promised him and she will keep her promise and plans to see Oswald on 1st or 2nd April. She had wanted to leave already on Wednesday, but Oswald told me on the phone she should not come until the holidays on 1st April. The doctor came at 7 o’ clock and gave Papa an injection which he had every other day. Then Tante Georgel left at 7.30 and we had our meal.

The nurse came and when Frau Mayer went in to see him, he complained about pain in his chest. Together with the nurse, we made cold compresses and phoned the doctor and Papa died after ¼ hour with the words “my children.” We were devastated but nothing can help, dear Lorchen, and we must be brave and honour his memory. Tuesday morning is the cremation in Offenbach (it is no longer allowed in Frankfurt). We, that means Opa, myself and Frau Mayer will accompany him to his final rest. It will be a hard day.

Papa was in bed the last three weeks. He could no longer sit up in bed by himself and we had to lift him, one on either side. This was no life for your dear Papa and since he could not get well, Good took him to himself. And we, Lorchen, will find comfort.

It is difficult for you and Oswald not to have mother and father, but you are surrounded by dear relatives and will be cared for in the future. But I worry a lot about Oswald. All my thoughts are with him. Oswald phoned me Thursday evening. I was so happy about it. He seems composed and comforted me and gave me courage. I told him Tante Georgel will come on Wednesday but he said not before 1st April. The poor boy is all alone in a foreign country. May God protect you both.

I phoned Auntie Betty on Friday night and she will see to it that Opa and I can come. So you will have a home again and Oswald can come frequently and you two can be together. I shall leave this letter until the midday post. If no letter arrives from you or Betty, I shall send it to Betty and she can post it on to you.

Oswald will continue to write every week and you, dear Lorchen, will continue to write every Sunday just as before. I hope you will keep me informed about everything about yourself and Oswald, if necessary.

I have done my best and brought you up as upright people. Stay that way and don’t bring me grief. I beg you both – I can bear everything if you remain honest and decent and of good character, I shall get over Papa’s death. It is hard but it must be done. Due to his illness, we had an upheaval and suddenly there is this uncanny silence – oh how sad.

I do not know what will happen with the flat. I hope we can stay put because the rent agreement is in your Papa’s name. I shall do nothing for the time being and let things come to me. What will happen about guardianship for you I do not know yet. Everything is still too new and must be thought over. If you see Joseph, talk to him about it. At the moment there is no need for anything. I shall see what has to be done. I shall not undertake anything during the first days.

My dear child, be brave and continue to give us poor old grandparents as much joy as before.

I kiss you, your Oma

My dear Lorchen,

We have just received your letter and I am glad to know you are being sensible. We are always happy to hear good things from you and hope you continue to write to us. Much love and kisses from me

Your Opa

Oswald phoned Saturday evening. He is composed and awaits Tante Georgel in the holidays.

Once again, kisses from Oma

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