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São Paulo, 27 August 2001.
dear cousin Ingrid
You may be thinking 'how strange to receive a letter from a long-forgotten cousin from South America! It's been 38 years since you have visited us here in São Paulo. That was 1963, when 'I will follow him', 'Hey Paula' and 'Sukiyaki' were hits on the radio. That's a long time, indeed!
I hope you're doing fine. My brother Roberto has written to you but I haven't had the chance to read your letter as we ended up selling the house - the old house we used to live with Mother, your aunt Paula , your father's sister. Roberto lives in another town now and we hardly see each other. We talked on the phone about your having written to him and that made curious about your letter. That's why I may be asking the same questions as he did in his letter.
First, I'd like to tell you I moved out of my parent's house in 1972. I remember when you visited us you told us you used to live in an apartment of your own which was very unusual for us. That fact never left my mind for that was exactly what I dreamed of achieving one day. I dreamed of becoming independent, of being my own person and have a place of my own. It took me 9 full years to have that dream come true I eventually bought an apartment of my own in 1972.
There was a lot of opposition from my Mother for she was very conservative and could not understand why I needed my own space. We parted in not so good terms and didn't talk to each other for almost 20 years until she became sick and had someone phone me and I went to visit her. From then on, we became friends again until the day Paula Sawade died, 21st November 1998.
My father, Otto Jentsch had died 7 years earlier on 8 March 1991. My father used to visit me every now and then and we had long talks.
I still work in the same business as you've seen when you visited us.I still paint on porcelain and do kiln china burning on the side. Although I have to say business is much worse now because of the economic slump in Brazil and Latin America.
I was really shocked when Roberto told me Uncle Fritz had sent Mother a letter inviting me to send my chinaware work to America in the 1960s. Mother never breathed a word about this subject. Mother must have torn the letter into smithereens. She was really attached to her kids and was afraid we might 'leave' one day. I couldn't help but being really disappointed in hearing about this last indignity. Going to America then could could have been wonderful! I don't even know whether I'd actually go. That's besides the point. The point is I was denied a chance to grow in my occupation. Was that letter ever answered? My Mother meant well but she was too possessive. I don't mean to cry over 'spilt milk'. I'm only pondering about what it might have been.
Dear Ingrid, I'd like to ask you a few questions my brother has probably already done.
1. When did Uncle Fritz and Aunt Irma die?
2. When did cousin Fred die? How was it?
Although Mother has torn that letter kto bits she always kept Xmas and Birthday cards her brother Fred sent her. I still have cards dating back to 1928. That made me curious.
3. Do you know when your Father migrated to the USA? Did he ever talk about the 'good old days'?
When Uncle Fred left for the US my Mother was still a child. How come he migrated there? Do you know any details about his trip to a new home?
4. Was it Brooklyn the first place Uncle Fred settled?
I'm asking that for we have some post-cards sent from Brooklyn, N.Y. I also have lots of pictures from your family sent by Uncle to Mom: from New Rochelle in 1931 through Archer Avenue in Mount Vernon, N.Y. to New Brunswick, N.J. in 1945.
5. What was Uncle's main business? Auto mechanics?
Well, dear Ingrid, I guess it's a lot of questions for one letter. I hope you don't mind answering them. You can ask any questions back, if you want.
I'd like to let you know that although I understand some English, I've had the help of a friend in writing this letter. His name is Luiz. He has lived in the US for some years.
As concerning myself I'd like to say I live by myself; I mean, I have two 'daughters' (cats) called Mitzi and Fofa. As I own two small apartments on the same floor, I use one as my workshop and live in the other.
I'd better close now. Looking forward to an answer from you, I send you good wishes of good health... a hug from your cousin, Silvia Paula Jentsch.
21st September 2001.
Dear Cousin Silvia,
I did receive your letter. It was very pleasant surprise. No, it isn't strange, after all, we are Cousins and it's just been a very long time. I hope you are well and doing fine. As for me, I'm doing better now.
I'm sorry it has taken longer to answer. One week ago today, I was ready to do so. But in light of the tragedy that happened, I was too stunned and upset to even concentrate writing one sentence. Everything has changed. The world as we knew it Monday, September 10th will never be the same. It was my day off but had to get up early to buy a blinker light at the auto store. It was about 8:30, went downstairs, fed my cats, turned on the radio. Couldn't understand a man talking about a plane, a crash, he was talking so fast so I turned on the TV. Wish I hadn't. The first Tower was in flames, then I was so shocked to witness a plane crashing the other Tower. Then it collapsed in smoke and fire. It was such devastation, too horrible to understand. I could hardly breathe. Then the words. Terrorist attack, a plane crashing into the Pentagon, then another in Pennsylvania. It was so unbelievable, I didn't even realize I was in a chair, tears rolling down my face. So despicable, such an evil act.
The past week has been unbelievable, everyone has been rallying to help.I'm proud of all the firemen, police and volunteers at all the crash scenes looking for victims , helping wherever they can. The flags are flying high, even on cars and hanging on bridges over the highways. Unfortunately, there aren't enough flags to go around. The manufactures are making them day and night to supply the need. Blood, clothes, food, supplies needed at the crash sites. The donations are coming in by the minute, even money. The President, every agency of the government, the Armed Forces, everyone is out there to end this horrible Act of War. It has been one week and I still somehow cannot believe this has happened. I hope the man responsible is captured and all the people that are with him. I pray and hope we all stand strong.
Yes, I know about the House being sold. Roberto mentioned it. As for you finally living on your own, that was good. I'm glad you did. I fully understand the opposition you faced with your Mother, only too well. My Mother was very much the same way, sad to say. We were not close at all. My Father was close. When he died, a part of me went with him. It has taken a long time to heal. He was always there. He died of cancer on 17 May 1987. He had asked me to look after my Mother, he didn't want her to go to a Home. It was the hardest promise to make. I knew she wasn't well, the heart and eyes (legally blind) although it was difficult, she lived with me. Demanding, insulting, argumentative, it was a tough time. Broke her hip too. Had a nurse for 6 months. Then when her mind began to fail, I knew she had to have someone with her while I worked. That was for 2 years, then she became worse, I hired a nurse. During the last year of her life she was hospitalized 6 times. She died on 1st July 1995. She was 89 years old.
Your cousin Fred died about 2 weeks before Thanksgiving 1978 from a rare disease called Guillain-Barré syndrome. All I understand is it's an entire breakdown of the immune system and no cure. From information received, there are 3 phases, the last being fully intubated and death within 3 days. A specialist from the Sloan-Kettering Hospital was brought in, he couldn't but did identify the disease. The only symptom is complete paralysis from the waist down; from there it's downhill. Don't know if there's anything to help it now.
Fred's sons, Eric was 4 (now 27) and Brian was 3 (now 26); his wife Henny remarried. My Mother and Henny's strongly disapproved but somehow I understood. It must have been very rough being a widow with 2 boys, the house and bills to pay. He (George) was a gentleman, 3 grown boys of his own, worked, no drinking or smoking and he fully accepted Eric and Brian. It's a good marriage although at the beginning it was rough with both mothers and a few friends of the first marriage not wanting to accept it. It took my Mother 5 years to finally do so. Every time I went there for the Holidays, my Father wanted to go with me but because of my Mother, had to stay home. She was domineering and so to keep peace, he would give me a letter for Henny and the children. At Christmas, he'd give me all the gifts he bought for them to me to deliver. It was truly sad, we had to meet somewhere to transfer them from his car to mine. After the fourth year (1982), he put his foot down and we went together. Mother just kept quiet and never mentioned it in any way. The next year (1983) she asked to come with us! It shocked us both, including Henny, George and the children when we got there, but she finally accepted the marriage.
Were you close to your Father? As I recall, I didn't really know them. I do remember our first meeting at the house. Uncle Max, Orlando and a few other people were with me. I was also very impressed of the work you did. I remember that you showed me the little house in the back with the ovens. When I saw the beautiful finished pieces, I was astounded. I still have the pieces your Mother (or was it you?) gave me to take back home. Henny has a lovely vase that I gave her and she still has it in her cabinet. I told my Father about you when I got home, showed him the wonderful work you did. He discussed bringing you here with the Family, also several people at the Club he belonged as well. Those in the Club would have been able to help you with the business.
I'm truly sorry your Mother never mentioned the invitation to you. It would have been wonderful your coming here, staying with us and being helped to open up a business. I'm sure it would have been a great opportunity for you. No, my Father never received an answer. I believe he wrote a second time but your Mother never wrote back and he was very disappointed. I recall him saying he had never thought your Mother would deny you a chance to come here. I realize her attachment to her children, but when an opportunity to advance the career of one of her children is offered to her which she refuses to acknowledge, I think it's awful. What is worse, she kept it from you, not even giving you a chance to think about it. I know she loved you and Roberto but she could have at least talked to you about it. All mothers love their children but sometimes go down the wrong path when it comes to making decisions. Some scream, yell and make scenes, others keep quiet if it's something involving a child or children. I would think if it's an older child, it would be because he or she can make their own decision. Your Mother could have felt 'threatened' or possibly envious. Believe me, I'm definitely not making excuses for her. I had enough problems with mine, but the power of reasoning is different in the mind of an adult, especially a parent. I have my own sad experiences.
Silvia, I'm not sure when my Father arrived here. It possibly could have been in the mid-1920s, perhaps earlier. Since at that time one had to be sponsored by someone already living here, he did arrive here through very old and dear friends though it's doubtful you would recall their name, Von Zsolnay.
Yes, he spoke often about São Paulo, very proud of it. I'm not sure why he did migrate here. I believe he had employment here (with the Von Zsolnays) and would be studying English here, which was a requirement.
What do you mean by details of his trip to a new home? I believe he settled in New Rochelle first. Don't recall New Brunswick, but he had a house built in Metuchen, N.J. You must have many pictures and cards that he sent to your Mother. Somewhere upstairs is a box full of cards and letters from Brazil. Perhaps someday I will look through it.
To answer the question about his work, when he first arrived, he was a tool-and-die maker. He was very good at it and studied more about the subject as he went along. In New Jersey he continued along those lines then became an electric engineer at a research center in Princeton. Though he talked a little about it, much of it had to do with Government projects, machinery contracts. Loved it there and I know he was well respected and liked.
I too live on my own in this house, with 4 cats. Murphy, Gus and Max are boys, Annie is the sweet little girl. My job for the last 6 years is at a florist shop. I'm not sure if I will be staying there; it does take an hour, sometimes more, to get there. The price of gas goes up and down (now it has come down again) and the amount of time getting there and coming home sometimes gets to me. Of course, it's going to be tough now, with the situation at hand.
Have you ever gotten in touch with our other cousins? There is Annamarie, Bernadette and the Spinellis. Come to think of it, I haven't heard from the latter in over 25 years. They kept in touch with my Father when he was alive. Do you at least keep in touch with Roberto? If you happen to talk with him, please, ask him to get in touch with me, haven't heard from him in awhile.
I'm grateful it's getting cooler now. Don't mind the heat, it's the humidity that gets to me. How is the weather there? As I recall, it was always very pleasant. One thing I would like to mention, I guess you know Uncle Max. Tia Angelina and Max also died in the past few years. I don't think I've many questions at this time. Your letter answered many questions I had in my mind for all these years. Roberto also enlightened me.
Though I would like to know if you drive. Also, when you aren't working with ceramics, do you have any hobbies. What do you do if you have free time?
I think I should close this letter and mail it to you, after all, you've waited long enough. We have time to write one another now. Hope you forgive the delay, anda I hope I've answered your questions. Of course, if there are more, please, feel free to ask. If I can answer them, I'll be glad to do so. It's been so long.
This was supposed to go out yesterday, Thursday or at least done, but when I got home, other matters came up. Finished dinner by 9, then realized our President was to speak to the public. It was a wonderful speech, direct, personal and to the point. It was also scarey but the tragedy that happened September 11th cannot be forgiven. I sure hope it turns out for the better; so many people are gone. There isn't an accure count, don't know if it can be done.
So now I will close this letter. All my good wishes go to you; stay well and stay healthy. Write to me when it's possible. I will look forward to hearing from you . Much love and lots of hugs. Your cousin Carol.
P.S.: I hope Luiz can get through this letter. It's really 2 pages but I was hesitant about the other side of each page, therefore it's 4 pages.
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