Married to a War

Austria, mid-June, 1914, World War I

Newly-married, and saddled with a new baby boy, Hyman junior, Hilda Auhwitz, fret…She’s well aware trouble was brewing… for her be¬loved Austria. Her extremely loved husband Hyman senior filled her in on the conflict alive with Austria-Hungary and Serbia. She gathered eggs and milk for the day—angry her Hyman would leave her… dispatched to the fighting area…

Every-dawn in winter, spring, summer and fall when the sun peeked through the clouds, she tended to their sheep, cows and chickens; moreover, never a rest for her since she was born or say married. She was known as a hard worker, built with strong shoulders and arms that served her well. Her classic peaches and cream face with thick blond braided tresses made the males turn to see… who the fairest damsel was. She was fully aware of her heavier build, but Hyman loved her more taken up with her kind nature.

She peered at the Alps Mountains surrounding the area. Austria was a land of mountains and valleys some greater than others. The mountains ran in an east and west direction and were separated by very extensive valleys, sometimes nearly hiding the tall mountains. They’re even was a north-south mountainous area.

They-resided in the farming area west of Innsbruck. Both of their large families lived within ten miles, and she saw them more often than comfortable. Her nagging mother stuck her nose in her marriage and when she let up her elder sister, Gretel took her place constantly nagging why “she’d ever marry a man fit for the service and leave her.”

“What ‘am I suppose to do’ wed a numbskull,” she re¬torted.

“At ‘least you’re surer’ of keeping him around.” Her mother retorted… because hers missed out on any war. Her-two younger sisters and three elder brothers looked on either with smirks or kindness depending on their mood. She was glad of the respite nursing her babe and relaxing without any bossy or interfering family member around. His side wasn’t much better ever since it was known her-man was an active fighter.

Hyman-farmed for a living, with her help, but cut-glass works (known in Austria) was prevalent on both sides of the family as a keen profession. She supposed this week she’d hear of the safer jobs in the family. They better get busy if she wanted more children with the country arguments.

After a sumptuous dinner, at Hilda and Hyman’s farm, the men (of his family)

retired to smoke cigars and partake of liquor.

“You ‘just wait; Hyman’s father predicted;’ furthermore, war between these countries is soon to show constant gun¬fire.”

“So what else is new,” said Hyman waiting to hear more dislike from his dad. His brothers nodded with him, proud of his daring and would like to join up with him. Their dad might kill them before they enlisted…

In the dining room, Hilda’s mother-in-law prepared to speak. Nothing would stop her like her namesake growing up.

“Hilda ‘you know we only want the best for you, Hyman and family’ if you ever get to see kin with this world situation.”

Hilda stood. “Why talk then ‘when you have no idea’ what our destiny is to be.”

“How-impertinent can you be,” her eyes enclosed her girls ready to escape when their mother took up these types of talks. Hilda glanced their way and winked and they re¬laxed wanting to take up their crocheting.

In-minutes, this is what they did with Hilda, as her mother-in-law steamed not quite ready to let up on her ti¬rade…

Hilda knit her baby items and now readied for anything big Hyman or little Hyman could use when the weather turned cold. In-two weeks, she found she again was in the family way. Hyman held her high in the air elated for the ba¬bies they desired.

His-happiness wasn’t to last for on June 28, 1914, the archduke Francis Ferdinand, heir presumptive to the throne and his wife and family were kidnapped and slaughtered and the Serbs were figured the ones who pulled this hideous atrocity on the family.

A-month later war was declared on Serbia, and with tears flowing down her cheeks, she kissed Hyman goodbye or “don’t say so long.”

The-whole world matter (at the time) became a hassle with varied countries turning against the other, or making allies with the other. Germany decided to fight Russia soon after her Austria fought Serbia.

Hilda prepared for her solitary-life with her baby, and being pregnant-praying she would still have a life with Hyman…Daily-she listened to the radio anxious for world news. Her younger sister made time to visit with her, when there bossy mother and elder sister were not jailing them somehow. Noelle and Hulda aided her cooking and baking bread items. They stayed over on weekends returning for tutoring seven miles away.

At the-beginning of the war, she received letters from Hyman relating the heinous killings and dull life. She sent her response out the same day shedding tears on the enve¬lope with the world and its enemies. Why could peace not reign for all mankind instead of only why you die? She sure hoped after this war they had tranquility in their life, saying he was with her in due time. She just had to pray for his safety. Where was he at this time in a dug-out preparing to fire, or trying to rest if there was such a thing?

The-days passed and she left behind her wheezy stomach. She weaned Hyman junior to a cup and waited the days to potty-train him.

Anyone-she was around still said how shocked they were with the royal family murder and the tale would go on if anyone named Anastasia survived? Who wouldn’t want to think someone was saved? What kind of monsters kills a whole royal family or commoners?

Today-she made her house fussy for her family’s visit. If only she could suffer the two naggers without anger, but a sense of humor, which she lacked with family. She prayed for humility and more sacred graces. Her mother and girls were arriving for dinner the men and dad working late at the glass-forming factory.

“So ‘you have a big hug’ for your dear mother?” Hilda pretended—embracing her hefty ma (that she was a loving queen) seeing Gretel’s smirk, and the other’s grins.