Last week my father Eric Walter Firkowski passed away and for this weeks Blog, I thought it was appropriate to share this story which he wrote 10 years ago of his memories returning to Poland after being away 62 years. I had the opportunity to record some of the stories from my father over the years, and will share some of them in posts to come.
FORWARD INTO THE PAST
The wet & icy deck and railings on the transport ship "General Stewart" came into view on that cold December morning in 1950 as dawn began the day in a new world as the ship entered the harbor of a waking New York City. An 8-1/2 year old boy poked his head out of the heavy steel doors of the ship and gazed at the thousands of amazing lights of that city as well as the large and looming structure of that nations' "Statue of Liberty".He had left the European continent less than a week previously from the shores of a dark and depressing war torn nation and listened carefully as his father told him to take his last look at the twinkling lights of Bremer Haven, Germany, Europe and to look forward to a new life in the United States of America! Here it was! This is where he indeed started a new life and in that time span of 54 years, met a wonderful lady that became his wife. They have had four wonderful children from that union. The last thing on that young boy's mind was that he would someday return to Europe, much less to the country of his birth, Poland!
The young boy of course was myself, Eric Firkowski, my wife Sherrie Ann and the children Timothy (Tim), Kenneth (Ken), Alaina Harkless(Firkowska) and Andrew. We were residing in Houston, Texas, U.S.A. and our children seem to be all over the country. My son Tim began to get deeply involved in genealogy and was planning to go to Poland in August of 2004, to meet with his new friend Lukasz Firkowski from Dabrowa Gornicza, Poland. All four of my children surprised me earlier in the year by advising me that they were going to give me my Christmas gift early, in the form of an Airline ticket to Poland so that I could accompany Tim (I think that Tim might have had something to do with this suggestion!). Wow, I still can't believe it happened! What a visit and adventure it has been!
Poland's hospitality became reality early, as Tim and I stepped up to the boarding gate of LOT Airlines. Our seating arrangements were such that Tim and I would not be able to sit together during the flight to Krakow. The flight was full and all seats had been assigned. The flight attendant promptly announced to all the people ready to board the plane that a father and his son were traveling to Poland and that the father was returning back to Poland after an absence of 62 years and would like to sit next to his son during the flight. An amazing three people offered to exchange their seats so that Tim and I could enjoy the flight! Wow!
Polish hospitality continued throughout the extent of my visit to Poland evidenced by food, drink, sights and monuments as well as the culture; but most of all by its energetic and fun loving people. I was quite concerned about my ability to communicate in the Polish language with the people of Poland and all were kind enough to forgive my faults in communication. Many words, songs, sayings etc. came back to me throughout the course of our visit.
Our hosts throughout our stay in this beautiful country were the ever present, ever understanding Lukasz, Janusz and Maria Firkowski. They were our Guardian Angels! Without their assistance in providing transportation, unbelievable home cooked meals, laundry service, lodging as well as maintaining the patience of a saint with their two American visitors; this visit would have been much different.
Landing in Krakow was a great thrill for me as my heart started to race and my hands started to sweat with excitement. Seeing Lukasz and Janusz at the airport was a joy not to be missed. Maria had a fantastic Polish meal ready for us at their home when we arrived.
Our first day began with a tour of Dabrowa Gornicza, the castle ruins in Ogrodzieniec and ended with a hearty barbeque at the home of Magdalena & Robert Ciuk. The singing of Polish songs, which I had not heard for many years, the dancing, the laughter and love of everyone there, is a memory that I will not soon forget! The following day we took a side trip to the Czech Republic, where we visited with my brother Miecislaw's two sons and their families along with my sister in-law Andjela.
Throughout the entire visit I was amazed at the beauty and diversity of Poland as a country. Our adventures continued as we visited the castle of Pieskowa Skala on our way to Krakow. The buildings, the architecture, the history, as well as the color and
vitality of Poland continued to impress me as we visited Wawel Castle and enjoyed the hospitality of that city. That afternoon we left Krakow to enjoy the sights of the Tatry's in Zakopane.
I know that Zakopane is a tourist town but I enjoyed all of it just the same, the mountains most of all. My amazement continued as we took a cable car to the top of 6,000 foot Kasprowy Wierch, had a fantastic pizza at the top, and then took a 4-1/2 hour walk down the 10-mile path to Zakopane. There was a picture opportunity at every turn. Those little loaves of smoked stringy cheese were very delicious. I sure wish I could get some of it here in the States! What an experience! What a view! What an adventure! Not soon to be forgotten!
Some more austere moments came when we left Zakopane to visit Oswiecim. I was quite affected by that visit as we entered the city limits and we took photos of each other at the sign to the entrance of the city. We walked through the camp of Auschwitz where I saw the name of Miroslaw Firkowski as an inmate of that infamous camp. (I would meet him later at the
family reunion!) We drove past Bierkenau and imagined where my parent's property was just north of Bierkenau somewhere near Harmeze where my mother was born. At this point I was starting to feel very depressed. Finally, before we left Oswiecim I had an opportunity to see the church where I was baptized, saw my name in the baptismal log, visited with the priest and had a chance to hug him. Slowly my depression went away and I was able to go on, feeling much better.
The next day we left Dabrowa Gornicza to go to the Family Reunion in Selpia Wielka. On the way, we stopped in Czestachowa to visit the church on Jasna Gora. The church was quite spectacular and humbling and I am really pleased that we took the time to go there. As usual, many photos were taken and beautiful sights were preserved in our memories as well as our cameras.
Following our memorable, not soon to be forgotten, first Firkowski Family Reunion, we traveled on to visit relatives in Inowroclaw, Orlowo, Lipie & Gniewkowo. We enjoyed these cities greatly, along with the charm of the people.
Torun was a sight to behold as we visited that city prior to leaving for Warsaw. Stopping to eat along the road at some very interesting restaurants was a very tasty and interesting experience also. Warsaw was a magnificent city! I was very impressed at how beautiful and well organized the city was. Meeting with our friends and relatives there was a special treat as they began to pour out their hospitality in making us welcome during our stay. Poland has come a long way in getting its past back into perspective and from everything that I saw, its future is becoming a sparkling new reality also.
The huge LOT 767 with a Polish eagle on its nose taxied down the runway in Warsaw. It began to pick up speed and slowly lifted into the air, as its wheels began to retract, the people standing on the roof of the terminal waved in farewell at the individual in the plane and he waved back. He knew they could not see him, but he was leaving a piece of his heart behind with them, this city, this Poland. The plane became a small spec in the sky on that warm, Friday, Warsaw morning and the passenger would again be arriving in New York for the second time in his life and see that welcoming statue that he saw 54 years ago. Somehow he would never be the same after moving forward into the past... he would be back!