Ula, ‘sparkling’ at her sister’s wedding
My neice Urszula, or Ula as she is always called at home, is the youngest of my cousin Adam’s three children. From the shy early teen she was in 2007, when first we met, Ula has blossomed into a beautiful and stylish young woman. Today is her 20th birthday and I’d like to take this opportunity to wish her ‘Happy Birthday’. Wszystkiego najlepszego na urodziny!
My Personal A-Z of Poland has taken me down many routes and shared many stories. Dad, along with millions of others, paid the price of a war torn Europe. His family was scattered far and wide, but for Dad there has been a belated happy ending. I’d like to share with you today a video that had tears streaming down my face, but which also ends joyfully.
Ann, or Gallivanta is a warm-hearted lady who is proud of her country, New Zealand. This week I received from her a link for my Jo’s Monday walk. It’s not strictly a walk but it is a very moving journey and I thought that it deserved a place here, alongside Dad’s story.
http://www.nzonscreen.com/title/the-story-of-seven-hundred-polish-children-1966
I know that it’s the kind of story that Frizz will find empathy with, and won’t mind me sharing it on his Tagged- U. I’d like to thank so many people for the love that is shared in our blogging world. I’m feeling quite emotional this morning and I think it’s time to go back to playing with Polish castles. Thanks also to Julie Dawn Fox for the personal A-Z challenge.
restlessjo 
We have Ulla as a girl name .. and also Ursula, maybe it comes from Poland – we had a couple kings that was in Poland through the years of history, ransacked and raping. Ula, stunning in her very classy dress. I would love to go to Polish wedding, heard all the stories about them .. last for days. Lovely post, Jo.
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This wedding was ‘quiet’ compared to some I’ve been to, Vivi, but I did my share of dancing. It’s only right, isn’t it? 🙂
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you touched my heart with the video, the “… 1966 documentary tells the story of 734 Polish children who were adopted by New Zealand in 1944 as WWII refugees. Moving interviews, filmed 20 years later, document their harrowing exodus from Poland: via Siberian labour camps, malnutrition and death, to being greeted by Prime Minister Peter Fraser on arrival in NZ. From traumatic beginnings the film chronicles new lives (as builders, doctors, educators, and mothers) and ends with a family beach picnic…”
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They were terrible times, Frizz, but at least there were a few happy endings.
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A very happy belated birthday to your beautiful niece Jo. Your family story is very moving and what your father must have gone through…I wonder how things will be when the last of the older generation are no longer here, who will remember the horrors that went before and are continuing today? Oh Jo, I wish I could give you a great big hug right now and we could have a little cry together, then put the kettle on and share a nice cup of tea together. Before you retreat back into your Polish castles that is…or maybe I could come with you! ❤
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The castle post is out there and I’m chasing ghosts, over a cuppa, Sherri 🙂 Come on over!
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I’m coming…be there in a few… 🙂
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I’ll put the kettle back on 🙂
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Did the kettle boil dry??? I got lost on the way and couldn’t find you or your castle. Too dark… 😦 Still, I made it there today, found you and loved the tour. Now we can have that cuppa …and maybe find a ghost or two… 😉
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Oh dear, I have to confess the kettle’s rarely off in our house 😦 I should be busy right now, but here I sit with…. another cuppa 🙂
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Yay.. 🙂
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