Helga Parl
Town/City | Brisbane |
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First name | Helga |
Last name | Parl |
Country of Origin | Germany |
Date of Birth | 3/3/1935 |
Year of Arrival in Australia | 1959 |
Submitted by | Helen Parlevliet |
Story
The Story Helga Parl (Postscript)
More than nine years had paced before I made my first journey back to Germany and Holland. I saw both parents and parents in-laws, and introduced to them Helen, their beautiful little granddaughter. I realised then that there would never again be a place for us in the ‘old country\’. We came back to Brisbane, to a house out of order and a marriage on the rocks. Still, I had my old job back to carry us through whatever would follow.
Together with my growing-up daughter and backed up by a caring friend we built up a new life. There were many happy years to come with journeys within Australia and overseas. On each overseas trip we had to say farewell to at least one beloved person, whom we would never see again.
To-day is my last day of this year\’s Europe trip. Will I see my friend again? Who knows?
‘Dirk, would it be possible to get to our departure quay?\’
‘Sure, it won\’t take long by car to get there.\’
Well, it did take quite a while. Traffic certainly had changed in those fifty years and not for the better. Cars appeared from all directions; I felt queasier than up in the gyroscope of the Euromast. But we made it, and it being summer time, with hours of daylight to spare.
The eeriness of the empty quay was emphasised by a monument to a bygone era, depicting in grey concrete suitcases, overcoats and other valued possessions, left behind by migrants eager to climb aboard ships that would take them into a better future.
And here I stand alone again. Just as I did half a century ago, looking ahead to the future; though not with trepidations, because this time I am going home!
Helga Parl Brisbane