by Mina Kroshnitz (Faivishevitch) Translated from the Yiddish by
Harvey Spitzer Most of us were children of poor homes. The
burden of making a living weighed heavily on our parents and
made them old before their time. It stole their joy of living
and caused them endless worries. My father and mother would
often sigh, and sadness gnawed at their heart. Only on the
Sabbath, holidays and on joyous occasions would they be relieved
of their worries and harsh thoughts. Then their spirit would be
ennobled and uplifted, and a bright smile could be seen on their
faces. Of course, their moods would be conveyed to us their
children. Our childhood joys would be extinguished under the
worried look of our parents. We were young, however, and that
was our greatest asset. We clung to our youth and drew happiness
from it as if from a well. The Tarbut [Culture] school, where we
received an elementary education, was a bright home for us. The
teachers, almost without exception, were cordial and good, and
although strict, they we