Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Children's Memorial and the Missing Girl


the garden

It attracts like magnet, and doesn't let go of you. It's a superb piece of outdoor art erected in
memory of children killed in accidents. This memorial consists of two children (a girl and a boy) made of bronze, and behind them a plaque which bears an inscription that reads: "Your Life Revenges our Deaths."

The set of statues and the background plaque are located in a quiet corner of a small garden with young trees , paved lanes, and a few benches. This garden, near the comercial center of my hometown , was planted in memory of the children who perished in the Hollocaust . It is placed in a compact area which includes a bank and the local police station, and is accessed by some stairs leading down to it.

Some time ago, approaching the memorial, I saw a little weeping girl about four years old near the statues . "They don't want to play with me" she said pointing at the two bronze children. It appeared that the girl had sneaked out of the Bank while her mother was standing in line to the teller; the security man at the door was probably busy checking bags and didn't notice her escape.


That's how tragic things happen: a tiny girl facing alone a busy road and then entering a deserted garden.

I took the girl back to the Bank ; the mother was not there. Apparently she went to the nearby police station to ask the cops help her find the missing child; the bank security man immediately phoned the police to report that the girl is back safe and sound.

The mother appeared accompanied by a police officer who was surprisingly formal. He wanted us (mother, girl, security man and me ) at the police station. After finishing with our questioning and the paper work , he told the mother to take her girl , go to the garden , have a good, long look at the children's memorial - she might learn something.

The girl was happy - her Mom will sure find a way to make the bronze children play with her.

49 comments:

  1. Duta, it's always so sad when horrible things happen to children. A moment's hesitation on the part of a parent can result in such tragedy (such as Adam Walsh in the U.S.). I am so glad you were there to intervene, saving the family from such a loss. Don't you think there are Angels everywhere and sometimes they are just us simple folks. We must never fear becoming involved when it can benefit others. Beautiful memorial and lovely photos of the garden. Thanks for sharing your story.

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  2. C Hummel Kornell a/k/a C Hummel Wilson

    " a moment's hesitation" - well said.
    I do think as you do about Angels that are ordinary people being everywhere and saving souls.

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  3. Duta...I am utterly AMAZED at all of your places with character and experiences. Thank goodness you were there for this child. Thank goodness.

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  4. Jennifer,
    Well, it seems like I was in the right place at the right time. Parents' negligence has a great part in tragic happenings. The mother shouldn' have lost eye contact with the girl while in the Bank.

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  5. Duta,
    I'm so glad this story ended well for that little girl. So many times it doesn't. Just recently here in the U.S. we have had some tragic stories that have not ended well. What a beautiful tribute to the children lost in the holocaust, even tho it is unfortunate that such a tribute had to even exist for such a reason.

    Thank you for sharing Duta, I always learn so much from you.

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  6. You certainly must have been in the right place at the right time. How wonderful that you stepped in and helped the little girl, who knows what might have happened otherwise? The statue is very haunting but a nice memorial.

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  7. Alicia,
    The garden serves for ceremonies related to children in general and children that died during the Hollocaust in particular.
    I totally agree with your last paragraph, Alicia.

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  8. Cheryl,

    You're right about the statue as haunting , and I've noticed that certain parents don't like to stop near it.

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  9. What a beautiful little garden, and such a touching concept. Sometimes tragedies are so huge, it's impossible to state the impact of them in adequate words. Such is the Holocaust.

    Thank goodness you found that little girl. You never know, perhaps the spirits of the fallen called out to that little girl, to stay there with them until you could find her, and return her to safety. Who knows what is possible? It was certainly a true blessing that the little girl, rather than having a very sad end to her story, was likely kept safe, in part because of those remembered children.

    You find, and post the most emotionally evocative places, DUTA. As always, thank you.

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  10. Land of Shimp,

    I am flattered by the last two sentences of your comment. It means a lot to me .It gives me confidence and courage in writing as I haven't got previous writing experience and English is not my native language.

    I agree with you about the Holocaust. There are no words to describe such a collossal tragedy.

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  11. So fortunate that you were there to guide her back. It could have turned out very differently.

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  12. Kys,

    Yes, and I was glad I happened to be there. I even didn't mind the time I wasted at the bank and at the police station - the main thing was that the girl was in one piece , safe and sound.

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  13. Thank God you were there at the right time......and what a place for finding the girl.
    Children will be so attracted to the place.

    The Holocaust should always be remembered.

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  14. What a wonderful tribute to all the tragedies of children especially those who sadly experienced the Holocaust. Thank God you were there to guide this lovely lass to safty. Your wings are showing, lovely lady.

    Have a wonderful day filled with blessings!!!

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  15. Duta, I wasn't able to contact you by email - I've been scammed by Jhoos - I did NOT send anyone an invite, but they got hold of my email and followers list, so sorry, Jeannette

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  16. MaLou Silverman,

    Yes, children are attracted to the place, parents are not.
    The Holocaust should be remembered and never forgiven.

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  17. Nezzy,

    Thank you for your kind words. have a wonderful , blessed day too!

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  18. jeannette stgermain,

    To be honest, I've just recently displayed the email icon to send a quick message to someone. I also get scammed ,so I might again hide the icon.

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  19. What a beautiful memorial to such a tragic happening. Children are so innocent and of course are attracted to the memorial. However there are so many adults that do not remember or believe the Holocaust, which is also tragic!
    The little girl and that mother should be so glad that you were there to rescue her. Angels unaware!
    I so enjoy your posts!

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  20. I'm so glad you found the little girl, did the mother thank you? I hope she did. If she didn't I'm thanking you now.
    I so enjoy your blog.

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  21. It's incidents like this that make me think that if I had children I would keep them on one of those leashes - at least until they were 12 or 13 LOL. It must be terrifying to have unafraid adventuresome children...

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  22. I agree that there are angels everywhere. You were in the right place at the right time! Thanks for sharing this story!

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  23. We found a lost child once in a crowd at Disney World, he was about 3. It truly makes you realize how quickly something bad could happen. That child was very lucky it was you who found her.

    Sue

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  24. I'm glad you were there for her! Bless you!

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  25. Duta, what a beautiful memorial for the Holocaust. The statues of the children are so precious they bring tears to my eyes. How lucky that your were there like an angel to rescue the little girl. It only takes a second and a tragedy can happen that will haunt us for a lifetime.
    You write your stories so well, Duta. I always enjoy reading them so much. You certainly have traveled and had some wonderful experiences in your life.
    Blessings to you, Duta <3

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  26. So often a piece of art, whether a song, painting, a sculpture, a poem, sends goosepimples along your arms. Your story was really interesting and thankfully with a happy ending but it was the scupture of those children and its historical connections that left a lump in my throat. So very well told Duta.

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  27. Nel,

    Indeed , striking contrast : beautiful memorial, innocence of children, and on the other side: tragic accidents, Holocaust

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  28. Angel MC,

    The mother did thank me of course, but she was in a very upset state. In addition, the police officer accused her of negligence.

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  29. The Bug,

    "..on leashes.." your humour works even when the topic is frightening.

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  30. bermudabluez,

    Welcome to my blog! Thanks for the comment.

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  31. Sue (Someone's Mom),

    Yes, children get lost all the time, and tragedy might await at the corner. May God protect their steps!

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  32. Skip Simpson,

    Thanks for stopping by, and for your kind words.

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  33. The ChicGeek,

    As I said in the beginning, the statues attract like magnet.
    It's a great honour to me ,Kelly, that you think I write well. Thanks a lot..

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  34. Rainy West,

    I appreciate your comment and agree to every word in it. Indeed, the sculpture "sends goosepimples" around your arms".

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  35. thank you for sharing this. . .for all of our lost children. . .

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  36. Coralee,

    Thanks for your comment. "for all our lost children", indeed.

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  37. Statuetele îţi fură privirea. Sunt extrem de grăitoare, te captează şi îţi stîrnesc curiozitatea de a le cunoaşte povestea. Iar faptul că ai luat atitudine în privinţa fetiţei fugite de lîngă mamă este un gest sublim. Te admir. Dacă ar fi mai mulţi asemenea oameni cu siguranţă am avea o planetă mai liniştită.
    Ca morală a povestirii tale ar fi aceea că neatenţia ne poate costa scump, iremediabil.

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  38. Bianca Popa,

    Multumesc pentru comentariu.
    Sunt de aceasi parere ca tine in legatura cu statuetele, caci si cu morala povestioarei mele. Intradevar un moment de neatentie poate costa scump de tot.

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  39. You were certainly in the right place at the right time. Both that girl and her family were very lucky that day. Thanks for visting my blog. I have thoroughly enjoyed yours. It is beautiful.

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  40. Ronda Laveen,

    Hi Ronda. Welcome to my blog! I'm glad you've enjoyed visiting it and reading this post on the Memorial and the girl.
    I was indeed in the right place at the right time.

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  41. What a lovely tribute to the lost children. Wee ones can get away so fast. It was heart warming that you rescued that small child. Maybe the Lost Children served as Angels to the living. Peace be with you.

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  42. Beautiful post!

    Maybe I've been watching way too many scary movies, but when the four year old said, "They don't want to play with me!" Made me think that she 'saw' them in a different way. Oooh, spooky. I bet there's already a movie out there just like that- statues coming to life... WELL DUH, "Night at the Museum".

    Where was I? Oh, yes. DUTA, that was such a wonderful, caring thing to make sure the little girl was okay.

    And for the mother? I have to say I'm glad I've only got a Yorkie and Boxer to look after. Can you imagine her shame? Gosh.

    Also, I recognized those trees as being the same ones from the alley where the dog knocked you down. I was pretty sure that's where you also live. It looks lovely.

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  43. that`s a beautiful story.. plain beautiful.. have a nice evening.

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  44. It seems that something like that happening right there could be nothing short of divine intervention. I don't even consider myself religious, but there are just some things that the coincidence seems so far from it.

    Thanks for sharing such a neat story and the picture does it justice. You are a woman of many beautiful English words. It is hard to believe it is not your native language.

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  45. Entrepeneur Chick,

    You've got an observing eye; nothing escapes you. I enjoyed reading your detailed comment.

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  46. Cos,

    Your comment is beautiful. Thank you and have a terrific week.

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  47. Midnitefyrefly,

    "divine intervention" indeed.
    I greatly appreciate your compliment regarding my English. It made my day.

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  48. MARI& GEO IN BUCATARIE,

    Thank you. Hope you'll be visiting again.

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