The Starry Night | Based on a true story

Parentless

The year was 1911 where the girl who would one day change someone's life was born. Fleur Nacht was born into a family of three. She was an only child. She loved climbing on top of Papa's back and eating Mama's food.

The curious girl always said, "Lekker! Lekker!" meaning yummy in Dutch.

The parents would laugh. The ray of sunshine shining and smiling over the family would soon turn to night. It would just take 3 years, but there weren't any stars in the sky, instead there were bright headlights of planes. War World War I had started and although Holland was neutral both her parents were both sent to France as they were half French. Chaos arose when Mama frantically plowed the fields just to provide food for the family while Papa helped fight for France.

"The sound of bombs going off is always frightening; it is also scary to just go buy some milk from the store" she said.

She was learning English in school. It was one of their classes. But kids didn't have time to learn the language because they too took part in the war. They collected things to send soldiers and raise money for the war. But Fleur Nacht planned otherwise. Her family didn't have enough money to survive on their own. Fleur found a few tools around her house including some paints and paper. She began practicing the craft. About two years later she began producing exquisite works of art and tried selling them, but no paintings were purchased. She tried again and again and managed to only sell one painting for barely any money. She kept trying to paint but just wasn't profiting off of her beautiful work. World War I began to come to a close as the year 1918 was almost over. Fleur was so excited to finally spend time with her parents as she hadn't seen her dad for four years and her mom was always busy. As Fleur Nacht had recently turned seven years old, she was hoping her parents would make it to her birthday. Mama sang "fijne verjaardag" meaning happy birthday, but as Mama was flinging her arms in the air while singing the merry song, Fleur pointed out a cut on her hand, but Mama just brushed it off. Fleur missed her dad and was hoping he would come back soon, but she was thankful that her mom was with her on the special occasion. A few weeks after the war ended, no reply. A few months, no reply. Fleur and her mom began to get really worried. But one morning half a year after the war, a soothing knock was heard at the door. Fleur was jumping up in excitement. It was like that terrible night sky finally turned to a shining day. The sun shining on Fleur's face and on her hand located next to Mama's. As they opened the door, the heat from the sun kissed Fleur's skin. That didn't last for long. The sky became gray with lightning striking here and there. At the door was a man telling them news that wasn't so bright. Papa sacrificed his life to save others. He had laid himself onto an enemy grenade and saved countless lives. Mama and Fleur didn't believe this. It felt as if they were struck by the lightning. The dark rainy clouds pouring their misery on top of the heartbroken family. As wet rain dripped from their eyes, Fleur collapsed in tears. It felt as if their happy family was ripped apart. She couldn't imagine a world without Papa. Mama comforted Fleur and they went inside the house, but it just wasn't the same. A few weeks had passed and Fleur had developed depression. Mama stayed strong and would help Fleur through the issues. And just as it was getting easier Mama became ill. She was working on the farm and cut her hand in the process. It had gotten infected and was too late for treatment.

"Je vader en ik zullen snel samen zijn en we zullen altijd over je waken" her mother said in a soft whispering voice. This meant "your father and I will be together soon, and we will always watch over you".

Her mom passed the very next morning. Fleur had loved her mom so much, but she didn't have time to cry. The mom's final words stuck with her. And when she would look up at the sky she would see tiny people in the clouds. It was Mama and Papa holding hands and waving to their little girl with a big grin on their faces. Fleur still couldn't help but be sad as she would have to raise herself and the memories of which she and her parents made felt gray and gloomy. And the memories of the war would always give her nightmares. It was hard to remember the brave girl's parents were looking out for her.