The orange flames waved at the crowd as paper and print dissolved inside them. Burning words were torn from their sentences.

When a person's last response was Saumensch or Saukerl or Arschloch, you knew you had them beaten.

It was the beginning of the greatest Christmas ever. Little food. No presents. But there was a snowman in their basement.

Mistakes, mistakes, it's all I seem capable of at times.

A small fact: You are going to die....does this worry you?

Finally, in October 1945, a man with swampy eyes, feathers of hair, and a clean-shaven face walked into the shop. He approached the counter. "Is there someone here by the name of Leisel Meminger?" "Yes, she's in the back," said Alex. He was hopeful, but he wanted to be sure. "May I ask who is calling on her?" Leisel came out. They hugged and cried and fell to the floor.

I had many boxing matches with my brother in the backyard when we were younger, and I guess while other people abhor boxing for its brutality, I also have to admire anyone who climbs into the ring to face up to what could be the ultimate defeat.