" Monday, 25 December. Christmas if fortunately behind us. It was a day full of good things. This morning by the Christmas tree I again read the Christmas story to the children. Then came four Germans who wanted to billet themselves, but it was too small for them. Then we sang Christmas carols with piano accompaniment until 5 anti-aircraft guns came rattling by on the road. Then we went out. It's clear and freezing - bitterly cold - and we put on many layers of clothing to save our calories.
Moeder had come to drink a cup of coffee and then walked with us until we were at the family Jos' house, which was our destination. At 1: 00 we had dinner (meat! and canned peas and rice pudding made with half milk and half water!) and at 3: 00 we went with the four of us to Stameren to visit Annetje and Floris, where we got real tea with white bread - pinched from the Germans - to serve instead of cake! By moonlight home through the snowy woods. Then I really missed you! And now with all our clothes on we go under the blankets."
From: This Faithful Book by Madzy Brender à Brandis
Gosh, how different Christmas was in 1944. Who would ever think now how precious white bread was back then, or canned peas!
ReplyDeleteHaving had to sleep in all my clothes before, when I lived in a cold damp bungalow we couldn't afford to heat, I remember that feeling.
Madzy and her family were relatively well off, being in the middle of the country. They could still get hold of some food. In the western provinces they were totally cut off from food supplies in that last winter of the war and many people died.
ReplyDelete