I was thinking these same thoughts this morning so I enjoyed your essay, thank you. And, good things and good people are the default position in my view, in spite of what we might witness or experience.
I think to myself what would’ve it been like if my grandparents had lived in an age of social media and how the conflicts of their time would’ve been magnified. I have to remind myself that all people are good most of the time, and looking for that goodness helps make me calmer and more accepting of the beauty of the world.
Thank you for this moving essay. While not on the same level, the stories of my grandparents surviving times of hardship during the Depression, raising children, sending them to war, losing children, have given me strength during my own times of challenge during life. I take comfort knowing I come from strong people and often would ask myself what would my grandmothers have done in a particular situation. Thank you for this story of courage and survival.
We have a long-term view of our ancestors, and we have to remember that on a day-to-day basis they probably had struggles and doubts and weaknesses too.
I’ve no doubt that future generations will look back on us with a measure of awe as well. Think of all we have already gone through just in the early days of this century.
Thank you for sharing this Danny, what a life your grandparents had. Their generation is deeply deserving of respect and we can all learn from their resilience, no matter how tough life feels for us.
Thank you for sharing this moving essay about your family’s resilience, Danny. I especially appreciate your summation. It is indeed a beautiful world and we are so blessed that they survived to give us you.
I was so inspired by your essay! It made me think about my grandfather who immigrated from Ireland during the potato famine with several of his brothers to ease his parents burden of feeding them all. He met his wife in America who was an immigrant from England who came to this country who came to the US when her family didn’t believe she could handle it. It reminds me that I can do a lot more than sometimes I think I can. Thanks for your essay that reminds me of my strengths.
Hi Danny, thanks for sharing your family story. I loved the twist of how "those people" are "my people...my family." I really didn't see it coming. I appreciate your investment in us. Art for the sake of joy. Experiencing joy through art. Take care.
Hi Danny. Thank you for honouring your family by sharing the story of their inexhaustible courage with us.
A dear teacher told me the story of my Grandmother giving her food during the Depression. Of course, Gram would never have talked about it; it was just something you did: when people needed anything, you gave it to them. That one story has shaped my life immeasurably. When I fill a need in the world, I honour my Gram and her open heart.
Thank-you for this beautiful reminder of the strong values and resilience of our grandparents. Kate and Hermann's story of survival is emotionally awakening.
Maybe you remember me from the Rowe Center. I was there with my son, Charlie and his friend, Keith and his mom. Charlie and Keith were filmed playing their guitars and shown in the end of the promotional video. I was also at your sketchathon way back. I've gifted your book, Everyday Matters, over and over again and referred people, who want to start drawing, to you. Thank-you for all your lessons and encouragement and wisdom over the last 22+ years.
Your post made me pause this morning, in the best of ways. It made me aware of how much I have missed by not continuing my faithful following of you. You carry generations of survival and wisdom in your blood. I was elevated, early on, by Everyday Matters. You are the one who inspired me into keeping sketchbooks on a regular basis. I am presently filling my 56th book, but I hit a dry spell. I have been spending too much time in my head. In today's world there are so many distractions and way too many choices. It's easy to get off track. Your grandparents didn’t have time to get off track. Their only choice was whatever it took to survive. Narrowing our focus helps, and moving forward with optimism is critical. I'm going to be following you religiously again, and intentionally deleting distractions that aren't motivating and hopeful. That still leaves a lot to be distracted by. There are many good people in this world. Thank-you for refocusing me on strength and beauty. I just ordered your mom"s book and will keep an eye out for the documentary. warm regards, Barb
It's so nice to hear from you again, Barb! I remember our time at Rowe so fondly and recently watched the film I made there that opens with Chaelie and Keith. A long time ago!
Wow, what an amazing story, Danny, about your strong grandparents! What a fascinating and inspiring life they had. I especially appreciate your sharing this story about your courageous grandparents who suffered through so much and yet didn’t give up and kept going. I loved reading this!!🙏🏼💕
How timely this story of resilience is, Danny. Yes, this is a universal story. I love the grace of your family and I’m so grateful to you for sharing your spirit and art practice with all of us out here!! Your commitment is like balm during these sobering days.
Amazing history Danny! I am first generation American, my Oma, Opa and mom fled Nazi Germany just in time but my namesake and great grandfather and his wife were murdered in the camps. Miraculously our cousin Julius Bendorf, who lost his parents and only brother, was one of the athletes from the documentary Hitler's Pawn, the documentary about the 1939 Berlin Olympics. He survived 5 concentration camps and lived to be over 100 years old. Thanks for sharing this incredible history with us and may all their memories be for a blessing.
Dear Danny, I found the place in Italy. It is San Marco in Venice. And it was infront of the Palazzo Ducale. Here is the link to Google view almost the same Position.
I love your writing for so many years and I am glad, you are here on substack now too. Thanks for sharing this Beautiful story. Have a great week. Warmest Sabine
This is the cafe they were sitting in. If you check it with google street view you can sit, where the were sitting🙏
I was thinking these same thoughts this morning so I enjoyed your essay, thank you. And, good things and good people are the default position in my view, in spite of what we might witness or experience.
I think to myself what would’ve it been like if my grandparents had lived in an age of social media and how the conflicts of their time would’ve been magnified. I have to remind myself that all people are good most of the time, and looking for that goodness helps make me calmer and more accepting of the beauty of the world.
Thank you for sharing your family story!
My attention was caught by the picture of Hermann and Kate in Rome. Doesn’t it look a bit like St. Mark’s Square in Venice?
It may have been St Peters?
Would be interesting to check if at that time St. Peter’s had cafes there as it definitely does not have one now.
Thank you for this moving essay. While not on the same level, the stories of my grandparents surviving times of hardship during the Depression, raising children, sending them to war, losing children, have given me strength during my own times of challenge during life. I take comfort knowing I come from strong people and often would ask myself what would my grandmothers have done in a particular situation. Thank you for this story of courage and survival.
We have a long-term view of our ancestors, and we have to remember that on a day-to-day basis they probably had struggles and doubts and weaknesses too.
I’ve no doubt that future generations will look back on us with a measure of awe as well. Think of all we have already gone through just in the early days of this century.
Thank you for sharing this Danny, what a life your grandparents had. Their generation is deeply deserving of respect and we can all learn from their resilience, no matter how tough life feels for us.
Every generation deserves respect don't you think? It sometimes just takes time for it to be acknowledged.
Thank you for sharing this moving essay about your family’s resilience, Danny. I especially appreciate your summation. It is indeed a beautiful world and we are so blessed that they survived to give us you.
Thank you!
I was so inspired by your essay! It made me think about my grandfather who immigrated from Ireland during the potato famine with several of his brothers to ease his parents burden of feeding them all. He met his wife in America who was an immigrant from England who came to this country who came to the US when her family didn’t believe she could handle it. It reminds me that I can do a lot more than sometimes I think I can. Thanks for your essay that reminds me of my strengths.
i’ve no doubt you have deep reservoirs of Irish hardiness to draw upon!
Such a wonderful story, Danny
i’m sure your family has wonderful stories too!
I am definitely asking more questions to collect those stories. It adds such depth to our lives.
Hi Danny, thanks for sharing your family story. I loved the twist of how "those people" are "my people...my family." I really didn't see it coming. I appreciate your investment in us. Art for the sake of joy. Experiencing joy through art. Take care.
Hi Danny. Thank you for honouring your family by sharing the story of their inexhaustible courage with us.
A dear teacher told me the story of my Grandmother giving her food during the Depression. Of course, Gram would never have talked about it; it was just something you did: when people needed anything, you gave it to them. That one story has shaped my life immeasurably. When I fill a need in the world, I honour my Gram and her open heart.
Hi Danny,
Thank-you for this beautiful reminder of the strong values and resilience of our grandparents. Kate and Hermann's story of survival is emotionally awakening.
Maybe you remember me from the Rowe Center. I was there with my son, Charlie and his friend, Keith and his mom. Charlie and Keith were filmed playing their guitars and shown in the end of the promotional video. I was also at your sketchathon way back. I've gifted your book, Everyday Matters, over and over again and referred people, who want to start drawing, to you. Thank-you for all your lessons and encouragement and wisdom over the last 22+ years.
Your post made me pause this morning, in the best of ways. It made me aware of how much I have missed by not continuing my faithful following of you. You carry generations of survival and wisdom in your blood. I was elevated, early on, by Everyday Matters. You are the one who inspired me into keeping sketchbooks on a regular basis. I am presently filling my 56th book, but I hit a dry spell. I have been spending too much time in my head. In today's world there are so many distractions and way too many choices. It's easy to get off track. Your grandparents didn’t have time to get off track. Their only choice was whatever it took to survive. Narrowing our focus helps, and moving forward with optimism is critical. I'm going to be following you religiously again, and intentionally deleting distractions that aren't motivating and hopeful. That still leaves a lot to be distracted by. There are many good people in this world. Thank-you for refocusing me on strength and beauty. I just ordered your mom"s book and will keep an eye out for the documentary. warm regards, Barb
It's so nice to hear from you again, Barb! I remember our time at Rowe so fondly and recently watched the film I made there that opens with Chaelie and Keith. A long time ago!
Lived this so much. You’re right — we all have a story. We need to remember them.
Wow, what an amazing story, Danny, about your strong grandparents! What a fascinating and inspiring life they had. I especially appreciate your sharing this story about your courageous grandparents who suffered through so much and yet didn’t give up and kept going. I loved reading this!!🙏🏼💕
How timely this story of resilience is, Danny. Yes, this is a universal story. I love the grace of your family and I’m so grateful to you for sharing your spirit and art practice with all of us out here!! Your commitment is like balm during these sobering days.
Amazing history Danny! I am first generation American, my Oma, Opa and mom fled Nazi Germany just in time but my namesake and great grandfather and his wife were murdered in the camps. Miraculously our cousin Julius Bendorf, who lost his parents and only brother, was one of the athletes from the documentary Hitler's Pawn, the documentary about the 1939 Berlin Olympics. He survived 5 concentration camps and lived to be over 100 years old. Thanks for sharing this incredible history with us and may all their memories be for a blessing.
What a fascinating story! I loved listing to you speak, your voice is so warm and comforting. 😊
Dear Danny, I found the place in Italy. It is San Marco in Venice. And it was infront of the Palazzo Ducale. Here is the link to Google view almost the same Position.
I love your writing for so many years and I am glad, you are here on substack now too. Thanks for sharing this Beautiful story. Have a great week. Warmest Sabine
This is the cafe they were sitting in. If you check it with google street view you can sit, where the were sitting🙏
https://maps.app.goo.gl/jEWruvEheDvKBS8H8?g_st=ipc