The rainbow never sets

latter would not be necessary, since if he does go bankrupt, he will lose all his household goods and gear. This depresses him very much. It is hard for an old man to go through all this for the second time in his life." (30.11.52)

The 'Garden for Onkel August' must mean some work on a farm for Vater, I thought, and 'the garden shed' could mean a house or flat for them. Would they consider staying in the East because of their household goods and gear? I couldn't believe it, for that was not my parent's normal attitude. Maybe there was something more? But what could it be?

On top of my worry for their safety came the news that Mutter had a bad bronchitis and had to stay in bed. I had planned to go on a skiing holiday again, but in view of my parents' dilemma, I made only a provisional booking, subsequently cancelled. First I had to see how it would all end. Vater wanted me to go, especially as winter had come early and there was plenty of snow in the Alps and everywhere in Germany. He said how much he regretted that I could not come over for Christmas, and how deeply he felt the separation from the rest of the world. They now had electricity black-outs all the time, (from two to as many as nine hours a night), as the economy of the country seemed close to breaking point.

A week later I received a letter from Mutter with the following message:

"I am completely depressed about the result of the x-rays, for it could be a long time with serious consequences for us. It is so important that I should be able to work, for I will need all physical and spiritual strength to be of support to Vater, which he needs, for you know, anything not to do with his work rests on my shoulders É Another request: please don't send any more socks before Christmas, in fact, don't send anything like a coat or other things. I am now too busy." (8.12.52)

Mutter had to go to hospital in Halberstadt on 15 December with her bronchitis, which had developed into a stubborn pleurisy. The doctors, however, suspected lung cancer, as the x-rays revealed a shadow there. So she had strict orders to stay in bed. Vater was very worried, and it made things worse, as the doctors did not bother to communicate with him.

From hospital Mutter wrote about their escape dreams in cryptic terms:

"My main goal is to get better quickly so that I can help Onkel August. He is asking, by the way, not to mention much about his impending stay at the sanatorium to the family, as everything is still uncertain. He is very grateful, of course, for all advice and offers. The most important thing is that the transfer of the National Health does not arrive too late." (15.12.52)

In his letter dated 20.12.52 Vater wrote:

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