Ava and Shalom Quotes

“A man takes a drink, the drink takes a drink, then the drink takes the man,”
― Kate Birkin, Ava and Shalom

“The young girl just nodded, her face betraying no emotion, as if she had built a fortress around her heart, a place where sorrow could no longer penetrate because it was already filled to the brim.”
― Kate Birkin, Ava and Shalom

“There are two worlds out there. The one that we see, and the other that lives in the fabric of our time. Occasionally, that other world seeps into this one, and we catch a glimpse of it. Or a glimpse of what’s to come.”
― Kate Birkin, Ava and Shalom

“Though they didn’t speak, their eyes acknowledged the corollary outcome. Aside from Abigail, who would never disclose their secret, the doctor was the last scarlet thread connected to the lie. Hanz’s emotions were in utter turmoil. He would never wish harm to Dr. Schultz, and yet for the last few years there had been a constant fear the doctor might reveal that their daughters, whom he loved more than life itself, could not be his and Maria’s. “It’s terrible to say this, but . . . I can’t help feeling almost . . .” “Relieved,” Maria said, supplying the word.”
― Kate Birkin, Ava and Shalom

“In the near distance, the buck that caused the doctor to swerve off the road was watching. The same albino deer Hanz had saved, standing still like an apparition, its coat the same color as the snow and its majestic deciduous antlers now fifteen inches and ten points strong. It stared at the three men for a moment, then disappeared into the woods.”
― Kate Birkin, Ava and Shalom

“haven’t you.” He would extend his hand, offering the treat, while his other hand gently stroked the buck’s velvety muzzle–a touch that spoke of earned trust and recondite affection between man and beast.”
― Kate Birkin, Ava and Shalom

“Luka smiled and nodded enthusiastically. Maria noticed his shoes and shook her head. “Luka, your shoes are on the wrong feet, my sweet boy.” “But Mama, they’re the only feet I have.” Everyone laughed.”
― Kate Birkin, Ava and Shalom

“Maybe the American Indians were right, he mused, gazing at the stars that now peppered the night sky . . . A white deer is a bringer of good fortune. In that moment, under the vast canopy of the heavens, Hanz felt a profound connection to the world around him, a sense of being part of something larger and more transcendent, more spiritual. The albino deer, a rare and beautiful anomaly, had become a symbol of hope and serendipity, a living reminder that in the midst of life’s trials and tribulations, there are moments of unexpected grace and wonder.”
― Kate Birkin, Ava and Shalom

“Hanz and Maria gently laid down on either side of them. Maria touched Ava’s other hand with her index finger, and the infant subconsciously grabbed hold of it. “Hanz, look,” she whispered, tears welling in her eyes. He smiled and touched Shaylee’s free hand, and she too grabbed hold of his finger.”
― Kate Birkin, Ava and Shalom

“What a beautiful scene: Ava and Shaylee, holding hands, peacefully snuggling side by side. The twin sisters had already developed an intrinsic bond, comforting each other by their mutual touch.”
― Kate Birkin, Ava and Shalom

“It’s a ‘he’,” said Hanz, “and it will be a strapping buck someday.” “You think it will survive?” she asked, marveling at its soft blue eyes rimmed with pink. “It should, with continued shelter, food, and care.” “If it does, then what? Are we going to have a white buck as a pet?” Hanz chuckled. “Nature will run its course, and when he’s ready, he’ll be on his way.” “You’re going to be sad when he goes.” “I know,” said Hanz, already wistful about it. He thought for a moment. What a triumphant day that would be if, years from now, he saw the magnificent albino deer again–now a strong, healthy buck–staring back at him from the forest, quietly thanking him for its life.”
― Kate Birkin, Ava and Shalom

“As the days unfolded, Hanz continued to nurse the albino fawn. The little deer had begun walking gingerly on its injured leg and was no longer afraid of him or its surroundings. “I saved your life, little one,” Hanz said one morning, holding it close as he bottle-fed the baby deer. “You were lucky I found you, too, or a wolf would have gotten you for sure.” The fawn stared at him with large doe eyes as it suckled on the bottle, its tiny tail wagging in delight.”
― Kate Birkin, Ava and Shalom

“The priest ended his powerful homily with an affirmation of God’s mercy and divine providence manifested in the miracle He performed for the Wolffs. “Have faith in the Creator, my children. Look at what he has done for Hanz and Maria. We watched them suffer; we grieved with them; we prayed for them; and now look!” he ex-claimed, pointing at the twins. “Behold the power of God Almighty!” He gazed out into the congregation with deep conviction. “Always have faith in God, my children. His lofty eyes are on you, and you never know when he will grant you mercy.” Hanz, listening intently, looked down at the ground. Surely it was God’s plan to have these two Jewish children given to them. What could it hurt to claim the twins as their own?”
― Kate Birkin, Ava and Shalom

“There are always two sides to a coin,” his mind echoed as Bucephalus trotted briskly toward home under the starry night. “Only a closed mind sees the one.”
― Kate Birkin, Ava and Shalom

“I have been around the world, met many people, and seen many things. Would you believe I was once a respected physicist? I even met Einstein while I lectured at the University of Zürich.” “You met Albert Einstein?” asked Hanz. Intrigued yet unsure if he could believe him, he flicked a piece of tobacco from his teeth. “Ja, ja. Funny little man, he was. Obsessed with mathematics and physics, too. Did you know that when he was asked what it felt like to be the smartest man on earth, he answered, ‘I don’t know. You’ll have to ask Nikola Tesla.’” He cackled, his laughter echoing down the street.”
― Kate Birkin, Ava and Shalom

“Surviving is an art, you know. Like poetry.” The older man crossed his arms over his chest and gazed intensely at Hanz, his galaxy eye orbiting the stars within it. Suddenly it was Plato standing before him, expounding his philosophical wisdom. “Birth, suffering, rebirth–over and over–it’s the manifestation of life. The unstoppable metamorphosis that takes place, carving its masterpiece called humanity. Go with it, Herr Wolff. Go with it, and don’t try to fight it, or you will lose.”
― Kate Birkin, Ava and Shalom

“How ironic that something so beautiful could result from something so vile!”
― Kate Birkin, Ava and Shalom

“We have two daughters, Hanz,” she whispered, tears welling in her eyes. “They’re ours forever, right? Gifts from God.” “Ja, meine Liebe. Two precious gifts from God,” he replied, tenderly kissing his wife.”
― Kate Birkin, Ava and Shalom

“Maria rocked the cradle he had built for the child they lost nine months earlier, the twin girls sleeping soundly in the wooden crib. “Nein, I want to say I gave birth to them. I want people to believe they are mine.” “But Dr. Schultz knows you can’t bear children anymore.” “Doctors can be wrong.” “What are you saying–that we pretend you were pregnant and didn’t tell anyone?” “Ja.”
― Kate Birkin, Ava and Shalom

“What a miracle! But what about their neighbors? And the townsfolk? Abigail Katz had said in her letter that her parents sent her away to Poland when she started showing, and that no one in the village must know of her past pregnancy, or that Ava and Shalom–the babies’ birth names–were hers. She wanted them to swear an oath to God that they would keep her secret. Their secret. “Hanz, what are we going to tell people?”
― Kate Birkin, Ava and Shalom

“Maria blinked hard to ensure she was indeed awake. “Where is this note, Hanz? I want to read it.” “I . . . I burned it.” Again, he lied. But how could he tell his wife the truth? If Maria knew the mother was alive, she would try to find her. She would perpetually worry that someday the girl would come back for her children. “Why would you do that?” “Maria, the babies were left for us. And the note said to burn it if we accept them as our own.”
― Kate Birkin, Ava and Shalom

“I found them in the barn, and there was a note that said a young mother had died giving birth to them.” Hanz lied. “She was a teenager, and her strict parents don’t want her illegitimate babies. The father is a teenager too, and he abandoned them.”
― Kate Birkin, Ava and Shalom

“This is a dream,” said Maria, as if trying to wake herself from it. “Nein, meine Liebe, you’re not dreaming! God has heard our prayers! We have two beautiful daughters now!”
― Kate Birkin, Ava and Shalom

“As he placed the child back in the basket, a weathered note became visible, tucked between the newborns. Hanz read the letter, from a girl named Abigail Katz, her words resonating with despair as she pleaded with the German couple to care for her babies as their own. It detailed the young Jewish mother’s plight: abandoned by her boyfriend, unsupported by her parents, disgraced and forced to give them away. She said she had heard Hanz and his wife had recently lost a child, and believed that her daughters would be loved and cherished by them.”
― Kate Birkin, Ava and Shalom

“Hanz ran back inside the barn to inspect the babies. Wrapped in woolen blankets embroidered with the unmistakable Star of David, their peaceful slumber belied their mysterious arrival.”
― Kate Birkin, Ava and Shalom

“What the . . . What in God’s name . . . My God!” Hanz couldn’t believe his eyes. There, in a double wicker basket among the straw, lay two Sleeping Beauties! The twin girls–perhaps only a few days old–slept peacefully under the watchful care of Agatha and Bucephalus who seemed to know that two new lives had entered the Homo sapiens world.”
― Kate Birkin, Ava and Shalom

“While remaining focused on her work, Maria sensed her husband watching her. “That’s something rare and special to find an albino fawn,” she said. “I remember reading somewhere that the American Indians consider a white deer to be sacred and a bringer of gute fortune.”
― Kate Birkin, Ava and Shalom

“An inspiration to all who knew her, Maria was not a victim of her circumstance but a master of her destiny. She did not think of all the things she couldn’t do, but rather, all the things she could. Because Maria Wolff was not defined by being deaf . . . Being deaf was defined by her.”
― Kate Birkin, Ava and Shalom

“I appreciate that,” said Hanz, “but I’ll have to come back for it another time. I miscounted my money and I’m short 6,000 Marks.” Josie placed 6,000 Marks on the counter. Both men looked up with surprise. “It’s my gift to you, Hanz,” she said, winking at him. “Have a happy life, and tell Maria I said hallo (hello).” “Nein, Josie, I can’t . . .” “Ja, you can,” she interrupted. Walking toward the door, she added over her shoulder, “Maybe someday you’ll return the favor.”
― Kate Birkin, Ava and Shalom

“Promised Land. The sound grew stronger, his heartbeat quickened, and no sooner did his uncle wave him over to continue the debate over selling his property than Hanz abruptly turned and walked away, leaving Jürgen standing there, returning to help his Jewish workers.”
― Kate Birkin, Ava and Shalom