Irene Opdyke Scrapbook
The Daily Struggles In War
Dear Diary,
I hope all goes well. The Germans are performing raids for all Jews in this town tomorrow and I’ve hidden Jews, my co-workers in this mess hall, in the laundry room. I’m so nervous, I can’t help but think what would happen if they were caught. They are precious friends of mine and I can’t bear to stand the thought of letting them fall into the hands of the Germans. I’m risking my life hiding them because any person who helps a Jew is put to death. But, I think it’s worth it, these people are good people and I will do whatever in my power to help them. They even suggested making a run to the woods by themselves, not wanting me to be involved because I would also be taken away with them. I stopped them and persuaded them to hide in the laundry room, but I need to find a better hiding place! The laundry room isn’t a good enough hiding place! If only today and tomorrow passed by quickly, they would all be safe! I could hide them in the major’s house, down in the basement, and provide them with their daily needs everyday. And of course no one would suspect Jews in the major’s house. Oh if only today and tomorrow was gone!
I hope all goes well. The Germans are performing raids for all Jews in this town tomorrow and I’ve hidden Jews, my co-workers in this mess hall, in the laundry room. I’m so nervous, I can’t help but think what would happen if they were caught. They are precious friends of mine and I can’t bear to stand the thought of letting them fall into the hands of the Germans. I’m risking my life hiding them because any person who helps a Jew is put to death. But, I think it’s worth it, these people are good people and I will do whatever in my power to help them. They even suggested making a run to the woods by themselves, not wanting me to be involved because I would also be taken away with them. I stopped them and persuaded them to hide in the laundry room, but I need to find a better hiding place! The laundry room isn’t a good enough hiding place! If only today and tomorrow passed by quickly, they would all be safe! I could hide them in the major’s house, down in the basement, and provide them with their daily needs everyday. And of course no one would suspect Jews in the major’s house. Oh if only today and tomorrow was gone!
The Things Missed Most
Dear Diary,
Today I leave behind Miriam and Svetlana. After nearly a year here I had begun to get a slight feeling of home. But even still, I must return to Ternopol to find Mamusa and Tatus. Soon I will be Irena again, not Rachel, but I will miss Miriam, for she has taken care of me as if I really were a cousin. I will find her again maybe, after the war. I can only hope nothing happens to her while I am gone.
The homesickness has truly gotten to me. I miss my family, especially since I am so close to finding them again. Miriam must understand me, she is letting me go after all, though she has expressed how she wishes I would stay here, where it is safe for me. But I will not stay as long as there is a chance to find my family again. Oh how I miss them! Every thought in my mind today has been about how close I will be once I get to Ternopol. Just a few days, at the longest weeks until I see Mamusa, Tatus, and maybe even my sisters will be with them, Oh! I mustn’t get ahead of myself, though I do wish it true. Once again, I can only hope. Yes only hope.
By the time this is all over,
We'll all be back together
When we're all home
We can stay there forever
Today I leave behind Miriam and Svetlana. After nearly a year here I had begun to get a slight feeling of home. But even still, I must return to Ternopol to find Mamusa and Tatus. Soon I will be Irena again, not Rachel, but I will miss Miriam, for she has taken care of me as if I really were a cousin. I will find her again maybe, after the war. I can only hope nothing happens to her while I am gone.
The homesickness has truly gotten to me. I miss my family, especially since I am so close to finding them again. Miriam must understand me, she is letting me go after all, though she has expressed how she wishes I would stay here, where it is safe for me. But I will not stay as long as there is a chance to find my family again. Oh how I miss them! Every thought in my mind today has been about how close I will be once I get to Ternopol. Just a few days, at the longest weeks until I see Mamusa, Tatus, and maybe even my sisters will be with them, Oh! I mustn’t get ahead of myself, though I do wish it true. Once again, I can only hope. Yes only hope.
By the time this is all over,
We'll all be back together
When we're all home
We can stay there forever
“Around me was complete destruction: cars burning, houses in ruins, glass and bricks strewn across the streets, a haze of smoke slinking along the sidewalks. Yet overhead were white gauzy clouds. It was as though the sun and the clouds did not care that Poland was being murdered”
(Opdyke, and Armstrong 23)
(Opdyke, and Armstrong 23)
War Leaves Our Memories Bloody
Dear Diary,
Even in times like these I am constantly reminded of how beautiful Poland is. I remember the spring when the lilacs blossom and their scent wafting through the air. This is how I will always remember Poland… Every day during this war someone dies. Some days hundreds of people die. All over is chaos and disorder, but still nature remains the same. When I exited the hospital after the attack on Poland for the first time I expected the sky to paint a vivid scene of murder. Instead I saw blue skies and plump clouds. Poland was just as beautiful as it had always been. Nature does not care that man murders man. Nature does not care that the innocent are being murdered just as Nature does not care if the evil are killed. Time will go on with or without me. I wonder if we as humans are insignificant in the eyes of God. I have faith that this is untrue, but perhaps I just wish that nature would reassure me. I know that our insignificance is easy to believe by how we act in wartime. I wish that the birds would stop singing when my homeland is being murdered. I wish that the sun would stop shining when a child dies.
Even in times like these I am constantly reminded of how beautiful Poland is. I remember the spring when the lilacs blossom and their scent wafting through the air. This is how I will always remember Poland… Every day during this war someone dies. Some days hundreds of people die. All over is chaos and disorder, but still nature remains the same. When I exited the hospital after the attack on Poland for the first time I expected the sky to paint a vivid scene of murder. Instead I saw blue skies and plump clouds. Poland was just as beautiful as it had always been. Nature does not care that man murders man. Nature does not care that the innocent are being murdered just as Nature does not care if the evil are killed. Time will go on with or without me. I wonder if we as humans are insignificant in the eyes of God. I have faith that this is untrue, but perhaps I just wish that nature would reassure me. I know that our insignificance is easy to believe by how we act in wartime. I wish that the birds would stop singing when my homeland is being murdered. I wish that the sun would stop shining when a child dies.
Terrible Days
Dear Diary,
I want to die. At least then and only then will I know I will be reunited with Janek. Several times I have taken out the same poison caplet, again and again, and just set it by my head as I fell asleep for the night. I’m not sure how much I can go on. The pain is over whelming. I miss him. No grown woman should ever believe in love at first sight, but I believe in it now. Janek was my love, and I my heart will forever be with him. Though we were never married dear diary, I do not need a priest to know till death do us part, and even then, death will only reunite us.
I want to die. At least then and only then will I know I will be reunited with Janek. Several times I have taken out the same poison caplet, again and again, and just set it by my head as I fell asleep for the night. I’m not sure how much I can go on. The pain is over whelming. I miss him. No grown woman should ever believe in love at first sight, but I believe in it now. Janek was my love, and I my heart will forever be with him. Though we were never married dear diary, I do not need a priest to know till death do us part, and even then, death will only reunite us.
