​In the early 1990s, I was working in Mexico City on a water conservation project that found me
away from my family for several weeks duration over a period of eighteen months. On one
occasion it was more than a month since I had been home. My constantly supportive wife,
Regina, managed the raising of our three adolescent children all by herself. We had wonderful
children, but all three could be a handful and I know how discouraged Regina became at times.
In those days, we didn’t have cellphones. Phoning long distance for complex and lengthy
conversations was very costly, so I did something I hadn’t done since forever...I sat down and
wrote a personal letter to my darling Regina. I told her how dear she was to me and how
dependent I had become on her steadfast support, her caring and providing for the kids by
herself; how very proud I was to have her in my life.

Writing my letter to her, by hand, was truly a cathartic moment in my life. My thoughts didn’t
flow as easily as a conversation. It was one-sided and was much more pensive and deliberate in
content, much like this blog I’m writing now. The circumstances rallied my emotions and
directed my words in more meaningful ways I still have difficulty describing.
I not only encouraged her to stay the course, I emphasized and reminded her of the depths of
her inner strength. Despite being the most formidable woman I had ever met, she too had
moments of doubt, loss of self-confidence, fear of the uncertainty of tomorrow. These were
financially difficult times for us. I just sent the money home and she looked after everything
keeping our creditors at bay.

Years later she told me the positive impact she felt after reading the words I crafted from my
heart. She broke down just telling me about her feelings, and despite our loving children, how
lonely she felt...abandoned. She also laughed when she read all the things I deeply wanted to
do with her as soon as I returned, anything she could dream of was my promise and intent. I
even embarrassed her by describing the intimate details, the first time I ever wrote such things
in my life.

There is a scene on the second page of Chapter 23 in From Promise To Peril when Anna wrote a
heartfelt letter to her young daughter living in America on a music scholarship, to inform her of
the passing of her grandfather Sigmund, and her grandmother, Marissa. In that scene I wrote
about Anna’s experience writing that difficult letter.
               
​                   “The premeditated decision to place pen to paper is an exercise involving an intense
degree of reflection. Absorbing and modifying the thought process is not so naturally spontaneous
as conversation. It is a process that can be likened to an internal conversation with oneself.
The crafting of Anna’s letter was a cathartic experience and was painful as well as therapeutic
causing her to search deeper within herself to feel the true depth and magnitude of her own loss.”

I wrote this scene based upon my actual experience when I wrote my letter to Regina. I could
feel Anna’s pain and the sometimes grueling challenge to convey her message so lovingly.
I had not seen my letter to Regina again, until about a year after her death when I was
searching for something quite unrelated to the letter. It was saved by Regina twenty-seven
years ago along with her mother and fathers’ original birth and marriage certificates. These
were the documents I used to tell Julia’s and Jan’s story in the second book Tracks Of Our Tears.
I was so moved emotionally that I wept like a child when I reread my letter after so many years,
knowing that Regina must have been equally moved by reading it. How many chances do we
have in life, and love, to write the words “I love you” to the love of our life. Written words will
outlast our lifetimes to speak for us to new generations who follow.

​#LettersFromThePast #PowerOfWords #LoveLetters #HistoricalConnections #FamilyLegacy #WrittenWordsMatter #CatharticWriting #LettersOfLove #PreservingMemories #HeartfeltReflections #FromPromiseToPeril #TracksOfOurTears #TimelessExpressions #WritingFromTheHeart #GenerationalConnections

 The tragedy of war extends far beyond the battlefield. It lingers in the hearts and minds of those who survived, reshaping their lives and the generations that followed. War is not just measured by the numbers of the dead but also by the invisible wounds carried by those who survive. These wounds do not heal with time but remain permanently etched into their psyches.

In From Promise to Peril, characters like Anna and Marta embody the psychological toll of war. Anna’s harrowing experience hiding in a box, while rear echelon Russian invaders searched for hidden Jewish women and children, leaves her permanently scarred, both mentally and emotionally. Marta, despite her phenomenal success and popularity as a violinist, fights an inner battle, not knowing if her family was alive or dead
after the invasion of Berlin. These struggles mirror the real-life experiences of countless civilians and veterans who carry the invisible scars of war long after the guns go silent.

As I wrote in the preface of From Promise to Peril: “With successful industrialization came human suffering. This is the story of the constant struggle of humanity – people struggling not by premeditative choice, but by the condition and personal circumstances of the times in which they lived.”

The Burden of Survival

Regina’s parents, Jan and Julia, offer a deeply personal reflection of these invisible scars. Refugees from postwar Poland, they arrived in Toronto with nothing but their young family, their farming skills, and an unbreakable work ethic. Like so many others, they were determined to rebuild their lives.

Their story continues in Book Three of the Tracks of Our Tears trilogy, scheduled for release in December 2025. Set in Toronto, the novel explores their journey of raising a family in a foreign land, struggling to adapt to a new culture, and striving to create a better future for their children. Despite their perseverance, the invisible wounds of war shaped every aspect of their lives. Their deep-seated skepticism, distrust of others, and social withdrawal reflected their enduring pain. Sadly, these struggles sometimes resulted in the mistreatment of their daughter, Regina. Born in a Displaced Persons’ Camp in Wildflecken, Germany, in 1949, Regina endured years of emotional and physical hardship despite excelling academically and becoming the only high school graduate in her family. Regina’s story, though painful, is one of resilience. When we married at barely twenty years old, my priority was to remove her from the chaotic asylum she called home.

Despite the invisible scars she carried, Regina grew into the finest person I have ever known—a testament to the human spirit’s ability to overcome even the deepest wounds.

A Dedication to Refugees

This trilogy is not just a family saga; it is a tribute to refugees everywhere who struggled to carve out lives in new lands. People like Jan and Julia, who built lives in Canada with grit, determination, and hope, shaped this country in ways that cannot be measured. Their sacrifices and resilience laid the foundation for the lives we live today. My books are dedicated to them. I am proud to have known them.

The Unseen Toll

War’s invisible scars are not confined to one generation. They ripple through time, impacting families, communities, and nations. Today, we better understand conditions like PTSD and the importance of mental health, yet we must also remember the countless individuals who suffered in silence, unable to articulate their trauma.
Acknowledging these wounds is vital—not only to honour those who endured but also to learn from the past and create a world where such scars are no longer inflicted.

A Legacy of Strength

Jan and Julia’s story, like that of countless others, reminds us that resilience and love can coexist with pain. Despite their struggles, they were deeply loved by their grandchildren, who affectionately called them Babcia and Dziadzia. Their story, along with Regina’s, is a powerful reminder of the enduring strength of the human spirit. The invisible scars of war may never fully heal, but they teach us the value of compassion, understanding, and hope. By remembering and sharing these stories, we ensure that the sacrifices of the past are never forgotten.

​#InvisibleScars
#ImpactOfWar
#TracksOfOurTears
#FromPromiseToPeril
#HistoricalFiction
#RefugeeStories
#LegacyOfStrength
#PTSDRecovery
#WarSurvivors
#GenerationalTrauma
#MentalHealthAwareness
#ResilienceInWar
#FamilySaga
#HealingThroughStories
#CanadaBuiltByImmigrants

Love is a force that continually surprises us, deepens over time, and teaches us that our capacity to feel is far greater than we ever imagined. It evolves with life’s stages, and just when we believe we have reached the summit, we discover there’s a new height we didn’t know existed.

The first time you fall deeply in love—perhaps with a soulmate—it feels like the pinnacle. You are consumed by their presence, comforted by their embrace, and inspired by the sheer joy of being understood by someone who sees you for who you are. It’s a love you believe can’t possibly be matched, until something extraordinary happens—you become a parent.

Holding your child for the first time, you’re struck by a wave of overwhelming devotion that makes every other love feel pale in comparison. You would give anything to keep them safe, to nurture their dreams, and to fill their lives with joy. You wonder how your heart can hold such immense love for this tiny being. Then, life surprises you again.

When you meet your grandchild, you feel an even deeper transformation. The joy of this new life is intertwined with the wisdom and experience of years gone by. Grandparental love is distinct—a blend of pride, protection, and profound connection. It’s a love that feels infinite, and it redefines everything you thought you understood about the human heart.

Love in Tracks of Our Tears
Two scenes in Tracks of Our Tears illustrate these layers of love: Anna bathing Pietra and Sigmund’s harrowing trip to the passport office. These moments, though vastly different, reflect how love propels us to cherish life’s simplest joys and face its gravest dangers with courage.

Anna Bathing Pietra
In this tender scene, Anna bathes her daughter Pietra, delighting in the innocence and joy of her child’s laughter. It’s a moment steeped in love so pure and simple that Anna feels complete. Yet even in this tranquil setting, shadows loom as Jacob warns of troubling events in Germany. Despite the ominous world outside, Anna and Jacob’s love for their daughter keeps them focused on the present, cherishing these fleeting moments of happiness.

This scene resonates with every parent’s realization that love for a child is both a source of immense joy and a profound vulnerability. Anna wonders aloud if it’s possible to love another child as much as Pietra. Jacob’s response—a reminder that love is not finite but expansive—echoes the truth we come to understand with each new generation: our hearts grow to meet the love demanded of them.

Sigmund at the Passport Office
In contrast, the scene of Sigmund’s brutal encounter at the passport office reflects love’s protective power. Faced with unthinkable cruelty, Sigmund’s thoughts turn to his family, especially his granddaughter Pietra. His love for her gives him the strength to endure humiliation and violence, knowing that securing her safety is paramount.

This love, born from his role as both a father and grandfather, is not limited by fear or pain. It transcends personal suffering, becoming a driving force that compels him to act decisively to protect those he holds dear.

Love’s Expanding Capacity
Love teaches us that it is never static. It grows with each new relationship, enriching us in ways we never anticipated. As Jacob suggests, love isn’t a zero-sum game. It doesn’t diminish with each new bond—it multiplies, carving out new spaces in our hearts for the people who matter most.

When we reflect on love’s evolution—from the passion of soulmates to the fierce devotion of parenthood and the unmatched joy of grandparenthood—we see its true nature: infinite, selfless, and ever-deepening. It is both the simplest and most complex of human emotions, and its capacity to grow reminds us that life’s greatest treasures are found in the bonds we create and nurture.

In the end, love is what anchors us through joy and sorrow, fear and hope. Whether in the quiet moments of bathing a child or the storm of facing unimaginable danger, love gives our lives meaning, purpose, and a reason to keep moving forward. As you do so, consider how love might grow in your life if you let it. Whether it’s deepening your relationships, opening yourself to new connections, or simply cherishing the love you already have, let love be your guide. As Anna and Sigmund’s stories teach us, love is the most profound force we have—and it’s always worth fighting for.

#BoundlessLove
#FamilyConnections
#TracksOfOurTears
#FromPromiseToPeril
#LoveGrows 
#InfiniteHeart
#HistoricalFiction
#Parenthood
#LoveAndResilience
#AnnaAndSigmund

​
Music has an extraordinary ability to impact our mood, outlook, and even our very sense of self. Like modern-day poets, musicians capture the essence of human experience in ways that words alone often cannot. A single melody or lyric can touch something deep within us, evoking emotions we may not have been able to articulate ourselves. It can lift our spirits, helping us feel lighthearted and hopeful, or it can meet us in our darkest moments, giving us the space to process our pain.

For Marta and Pietra, two characters from my novels Tracks of Our Tears and From Promise to Peril, music is a lifeline. Marta, a skilled violinist, finds solace and purpose in her music, even as her life is torn apart by war and personal struggles. Her connection to her instrument allows her to feel both grounded in reality and transcendent of it. Similarly, Pietra—Marta’s goddaughter and a violinist—channels her emotions through the strings of her violin, finding not only an outlet for her pain but also a way to heal. In their stories, music is more than a pastime; it is a survival tool, a source of strength, and a connection to the beauty of the world even amidst its chaos.

Music’s timelessness is another one of its most magical qualities. A song from decades ago can still resonate with a listener today, transporting them back to a cherished memory or even connecting them to experiences they’ve never lived. For Marta, the works of classical composers like Tchaikovsky and Beethoven carry her through the struggles of war, while Pietra finds her own voice in the same timeless compositions, bridging generations through shared melodies. This is a testament to how music can connect people, both across time and within families, creating a shared language that transcends age, culture, and circumstance.

On a personal level, I am always in awe of how music creates moments of profound connection with ourselves. Whether it’s the melancholy of a somber ballad that allows us to grieve or the upbeat rhythm of a pop song that inspires us to dance, music gives us permission to feel deeply. It reminds us of our humanity, our struggles, and our capacity for joy. It allows us to momentarily step out of the present and into a space where emotions are safe to explore.

Music such as, Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez and many pieces from Jessie Cook, have stayed with me for years, inspiring reflections on my own life and the people who have shaped it. In the same way, I hope that Marta and Pietra’s relationship with music resonates with readers, showing how music can lift us up in times of despair and allow us to celebrate even the smallest of victories.
Music’s greatest power may lie in its universality. Across the world, people experience its magic—finding hope, solace, and inspiration in its chords. It is a thread that binds us together, reminding us that no matter our circumstances, we are never alone. As long as there is music, there is connection, beauty, and an enduring sense of humanity.
​
When you hear a melody that moves you or find yourself humming a tune that lightens your heart, consider this: that song, that lyric, or that note is doing what music has always done—bringing the world a little closer together, one heart at a time.
​
#PowerOfMusic
#MusicAndEmotions
#TimelessMusic
#MusicHeals
#ModernDayPoets
#MusicIsLife
#EmotionalConnection
#MusicAndMemory
#ClassicalMusicLovers
#GenerationsConnected
#MartaAndPetra
#TracksOfOurTears
#FromPromiseToPeril
#HealingThroughMusic
#UniversalLanguage
#MusicAndStorytelling

If you’re looking for songs that capture the transformative power of music, these timeless pieces are a great place to start. Tim McGraw’s Humble and Kind serves as a gentle reminder of the values that shape our lives, while Fleetwood Mac’s Landslide poignantly reflects on the passage of time and personal growth. Brandi Carlile’s The Story and James Taylor’s Fire and Rain resonate with raw emotion, connecting deeply with listeners through themes of love and resilience. For a reflective journey, Garth Brooks’ The Dance reminds us of the beauty in life’s fleeting moments, and Coldplay’s Fix You offers comfort during challenging times. To add a touch of hope and nostalgia, Israeli Kamakawiwo’ole’s medley of Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World is a soothing celebration of life’s simple joys. Chris Botti’s “Smile,” performed by Steven Tyler, carries a poignant message of finding strength and hope through life’s hardships, encouraging listeners to smile even in the face of adversity. These songs, speak to the universal experiences of love, loss, and healing—proof of music’s enduring ability to connect us all.