Stories Archive - Page 35 of 363

Munro – Germany 1945

Munro

Our son’s middle name is Munro. It’s a Scottish name and a bit unusual for an American kid, but it’s in keeping with the Jewish tradition of naming a child for someone beloved who has passed away. In fact the Munro we knew had been a mentor to my husband Danny, and an important presence during a special time in both our lives.

Early in his business career Danny had the chance to work in his company’s London office, and so we sublet our apartment, backed our bags, and off we went. (See Valentine’s Day in Foggytown, Kinky Boots, Laundry Day in London, Intro to Cookery, Taking the High Road, and British Summer Time)

Bringing our cat Smokey with us however would have meant a six-month quarantine, and so we left him with my mother-in-law. We really missed Smokey, and when Danny met his London colleague Munro he was pleased to find a fellow cat-lover as Munro fed the strays on a rooftop at their office in the City.

Munro was a wonderfully warm and funny guy who took us two young Americans under his wing. Shortly after we arrived he invited us to Sunday lunch with his wife Mary and their five kids – and of course we met the family cat Bubbles who had just had a litter of kittens!

Bubbles

From then on we spent many lovely hours with Mary and Munro and shared lots of laughs. Once Mary was berating her husband for neglecting his teeth.

”OK Mary,”. Munro said to finally placate her, “make a dental appointment for me.“

“ I will when I can find a new dentist,” said Mary, “ as I’m sorry to tell you dear that our old dentist has passed away.”

”You see ,” said Munro, “a lot of good his good teeth did HIM!”

Munro served as a Major and a tank commander during WW II. Once a piece of shrapnel came through a slit in his tank and hit him on the left side of his chest. Luckily by habit Munro kept a metal ruler in his left breast pocket and altho the shrapnel ripped off his shirt pocket, Munro was unscathed!

Of course our son never met his namesake, but over the years he’s heard all our Munro stories, and we all visit Mary and her family as often as we can.

This year Mary turns 100 and we send her our love and very best wishes. She and Munro are ever in our hearts!