My mother’s (Louise Line Grout) note written on one of these slides “Betsy’s Christening Day”  18 months 1951

Excerpt from a press release dated December 6, 1957 released by Montan State University, Missoula announcing my Grandfather’s (Robert Campbell Line) retirement and recounting the history of his career.

Frankfurt am Main-Höchst, April 29, 1947  Zuckschwerdtstr. 15

Dear Mrs. and Professor Line,

I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the CARE package you sent me through the Caritas Association, which naturally brought great joy to my family.

Your kind package is a valuable contribution to the very critical food situation, which unfortunately is worsening from month to month. An official report about an exhibition might illustrate the current conditions for you.

Due to the very harsh winter, my husband’s war-related illness has worsened considerably, so any support is a valuable contribution to his recovery. For this reason, the further report I had promised was delayed.

As a small token of my gratitude for your kindness and generosity, I have made a sofa cushion for you and a little summer dress for little Judy. I have embroidered my joy at your generous donation into the brightly colored flowers. I hope the needlework will be in your possession by the time this letter arrives. Perhaps you will find a small place for this modest German greeting.

Finally, I would like to briefly tell you that for Christmas, my brother returned from captivity into our mother’s arms. That was, of course, the greatest Christmas joy.

Looking forward to hearing from you again sometime, I remain with sincere regards,

Frindel Bagemoun  Warmest greetings also from my mother and my children.

*****************

As you can see from my notes above, as well as the document copies, my Grandfather (Robert Campbell Line) must have become acquainted with a German family while he was teaching in Frankfurt after the War.  Somehow he and my Grandmother (Louise Chapman Line) must have helped this family in some way.  Recently Hannah (Hannah Elizabeth Grout) was able to translate the mysterious German letter online.  In the translation we discovered mention of the dress.  Amazingly my sister Elizabeth (Elizabeth Grout Roberts) had the dress in her possession!  The photos above show her in the dress for her christening and no doubt was also worn at some point by me.  Almost 80 years have passed since a German woman sat down to embroider this beautiful dress.  I am so grateful we were able to bring the mysterious German letter to full circle and actually hold the dress in our hands.