Hardened from War, by Lefty
My stepfather went to Siberia concentration camp for 4 years, got out and went to Africa to get retrained with the English army, went to Italy to help the U.S. get the Germans out of Italy. Then came to the U.S. with my mother and me. My mother was sick with goiter glands and could not raise me. So they sent me to foster homes until I was 9 years old. My stepdad did not want to take care of me. He was hardened from the war, and had no patience for me.
He was a hard worker and worked for the Illinois railroad for 25 years. Could fix anything but was not a father. You couldn’t talk to him about anything. He was cold and it showed because what he went through the war. In the end before he died at 88, he became more willing to listen, but still not giving or showing any love for me. I understand what he went through in his life and that’s how he was till the end. He was a good provider but showed no feelings. I grew up in foster homes, 3 of them, but I don’t hate him. He was never a family man, never took me to a baseball game or any sports events, very dull life. Work, sleep, eat and some money. That was what he enjoyed doing. Not
Americanized.
I had to get away so I’ve been on my own since I was 17.
He was a hard worker and worked for the Illinois railroad for 25 years. Could fix anything but was not a father. You couldn’t talk to him about anything. He was cold and it showed because what he went through the war. In the end before he died at 88, he became more willing to listen, but still not giving or showing any love for me. I understand what he went through in his life and that’s how he was till the end. He was a good provider but showed no feelings. I grew up in foster homes, 3 of them, but I don’t hate him. He was never a family man, never took me to a baseball game or any sports events, very dull life. Work, sleep, eat and some money. That was what he enjoyed doing. Not
Americanized.
I had to get away so I’ve been on my own since I was 17.