The Loop Newspaper - Tehachapi's Online Community News & Entertainment Guide

For many of us, Mother's Day is a time to reflect and remember family who have gone home. In my case, when this article is published, I'll be in my mom's hometown, Amsterdam, Holland.

My mom grew up in war torn Europe. She often commented on her childhood being lost due to the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. I remember the stories of sirens in the middle of the night and hopes and prayers that the soldiers wouldn't stop at your home. But when they did stop you heard the yelling and screaming and come morning another family was gone, never to be heard from again.

I remember her telling me a story about my grandfather. He took her to a warehouse to see the rows of coffins. These were men and women who were resistance fighters or just plain Dutch citizens who happened to be Jewish. He wanted her to see this so she would never forget mans inhumanity to man. My mom told me about a little Jewish girl she played with in the neighborhood, a little girl who suddenly disappeared. A little girl whose house I'll be visiting this week, Anne Frank.

My mom married a Canadian soldier, my dad, and came to Canada where I was born. But it was my stepfather's dream that had the biggest effect on my life. His dream was to come to America and my mom helped him fulfill that dream. We moved to California when I was a preteen, and my parents lived a wonderful life together in Southern California for over 45 years.

My parents are both gone now and like so many of us the memories seem to flood in this time of year. Treasure the memories of your mom and grandmother, but more important than that, spend time with them if you're fortunate enough to still have them with you.

Marty Pay has been the local Farmers Agent for over 32 years. His office and staff are at 212 W. F St. and their phone number is (661) 822-3737.