August Birthdays

Here Franz is ten years old

In our family in the 50's and 60's, Augusts were always special. Not only was it the warmest month in Germany, but also we had four birthdays that month. 

Franz' birthday came first, on August 3rd. I remember Franz's 4th birthday. At that time, in 1954, much of Germany was still in ruins, and food was still hard to come by. 

After lunch, Mutti brought out a tin plate she especially saved for birthdays. It was filled with sand and had one large candle brightly burning in its center. Franz got to stand on a chair and blew out the candle. 

We all wished him happy birthday, and then came the special treat. Mutti had found a fresh bar of chocolate somewhere. She held it in both hands and reached it to Franz who reverently took it.

Franz got to open the paper around the chocolate. He broke a four-piece bar off for each of his siblings.When all his sisters had their share, he had two four-piece bars left for himself. And that was his birthday present.

Tomorrow I'll recall a special birthday for the next person who had a birthday in August.