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Letter from Włodek to his father

1943-06-23

Polish History Museum

Polish History Museum
Warszawa, Poland

Letter from Włodek to his father, Franciszek Szwajdler, interned in the POW camp in Gross Born.

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  • Title: Letter from Włodek to his father
  • Date: 1943-06-23
  • Transcript:
    Dear Dad, What a strange impression your letter left on me. This impression resulted from the certainty that, even with hundreds of kilometres separating us – you are still taking care of us like before. We can see that you are devoting all your thoughts to us. Remembering those moments when we were living with you (how little and hazily I recall those times), I always reach the conclusion that you are my role model – an ideal I would like to grow into. Only now can I appreciate what battles are associated with reaching higher things. Hence, the fundamental factor here is willpower. It plays a decisive role. Sometimes, it’s very hard to make a decision. Often when I’m indecisive about an issue, some matter, I ask myself how you, Daddy, would act, if you were in my place. It makes it easier to make a good decision. Not long ago, yesterday actually, I finished reading a lovely book, which made an indelible impression on me. The title of this book was "Man, The Unknown" written by Alexis Carell – an outstanding French scholar. I very much liked the view expressed there about man as a whole, who consists of body and soul, and which it is possible to consider only together. School is finishing soon. I am faced with the question of what to do next with myself, which school I should choose, and generally what I should do. I am sending you kisses, Daddy. Włodek
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  • Original Source: private collection of Teresa Rybicka
  • Credit: Teresa Rybicka
  • Collection: Szwajdler family
Polish History Museum

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