# **“The Tree of Our Days”**---

## **I. Ignacy (1890–1925) – Roots in the Earth**

Ignacy was born in a small village in eastern Poland. His father died early, and his mother worked the land. From childhood, he learned that the world demands strength and silence.

At the age of twenty, he married Katarzyna, a woman as resilient as he was. There was no love in the romantic sense, but a mutual respect for work and the land gave birth to a quiet, resilient relationship.

Ignacy had three children: Kazimierz, Anna, and Józef. The household was full of responsibilities, and the children learned from an early age that life doesn't ask for permission.

In 1914, Ignacy was drafted into the army. The war changed him forever. When he returned, new realities reigned at home: poverty, illness, the deaths of neighbors. He died suddenly at the age of 35, leaving his family alone to bear the burden of the farm.

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## **II. Katarzyna (1893–1960) – a lonely force**

Katarzyna survived the war and epidemics. She raised three children alone, making sure there was enough food and firewood every day.

Kazimierz, the eldest son, left for the city to look for work. Anna married early, and Józef stayed at home.

Kazimierz was tough and strict. She didn't teach her children love—she taught survival. She died in silence, surrounded by an empty house.

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## **III. Kazimierz (1910–1980) – escape and return**

Kazimierz left for the city, where life was different. He studied, then worked in a factory. He married Maria—an ambitious, practical woman he met in the library.

They had a daughter, Halina, and a son, Jerzy. Kazimierz was demanding and strict, but he tried not to repeat his father's mistakes. World War II turned everything upside down: Kazimierz was drafted into the army, and Maria and the children hid in a small apartment in the city.

After the war, Kazimierz returned to the city, but his thoughts were always on the village and his family roots. He died peacefully after many years of working in a factory.

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## **IV. Anna (1912–1995) – a repeat of history**

Anna remained in the village. She married young and had four children. She lived by her mother's principles—working, remaining silent, and teaching her children to do the same.

Her children were torn between rural tradition and city dreams. Their eldest daughter, Helena, left home and went to college. Their son, Marian, stayed to support her parents.

Anna died at the age of 83, surrounded by emptiness, but not grief.

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## **V. Jerzy (1935–2010) – The City and Solitude**

Jerzy, Kazimierz's son, grew up in the shadow of expectations. He moved out of town, studied, and then worked in a bank. He married Elżbieta, with whom he had three children: Marek, Anna, and Ewa.

Jerzy was demanding, but he loved quietly. His wife was more emotional, but also tired of everyday life.

Their marriage experienced ups and downs. Jerzy died suddenly, leaving the family stunned and with a sense of unfinished business.

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## **VI. Helena (1960– ) – Responsibility**

Helena, Anna's daughter, moved to the city. She worked at a school and raised her children alone after a divorce. She was the one who stayed behind and carried the burden of home, family, and history.

She did not remarry. She felt that the tradition of family women—sacrifice, patience, silence—still defined her. Her life was monotonous, but purposeful.

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## **VII. Marek (1965–2015) – Ambition and Escape**

Marek grew up in his grandparents' home, in the shadow of history and old secrets. He wanted something different. He moved away, studied, and built a career.

He had a daughter, Aleksandra, and a son, Paweł. He never learned to express his feelings. His children felt an emotional void.

Marek died suddenly, heartbreakingly. He left his family in chaos and unspoken questions.

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## **VIII. Aleksandra (1990– ) – A New Beginning**

Aleksandra visited her grandparents' home. She looked at old photographs, letters, and notes. She wanted to understand the past.

She began writing down her family's history. She learned to name silence, courage, and mistakes.

She decided to live differently, not repeat patterns.

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## **IX. Paweł (1995– ) – Generation of Freedom**

Paweł grew up with his grandmother Helena. He learned from her about survival, but also questioned her about emotions and dreams.

He went abroad, studied, then returned. He decided to live a life true to himself, not the expectations of his ancestors.

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## **X. Lilia (2025– ) – A New Perspective**

Lilia, Aleksandra's daughter, knows the entire family history. She records it in chronicles, asks her elders, and digs deeper.

She doesn't have to carry the house or tradition. She can choose. She can break the silence.

She knows that roots are important, but life belongs to her.

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## **Epilogue**

Family is not just genes.

It's an experience of silence, sacrifice, and survival.

Each generation learns from what's left and decides what to let go.

The history of this house, this land, these people spans over a hundred years.

Not all secrets have been revealed explained.

Not all wounds have healed.

But future generations have the chance to live differently.