Juliusz Jerzy (Piotr) Tober, born in 1942

Letters about the rescue and life of Piotr Tober

Piotr Tober’s recollections are included also under the telling title “Koszmar trwa” [The Nightmare Continues]. Letters are edited by Halina Szostkiewicz, based on the letters and information passed on to the Association of “The Children of the Holocaust”, mainly by Ms. Janina Bruell.

He spent most of his life as an anonymous orphan, a “foundling.” It wasn’t until the end of his life that he found out about his Jewish origin. He was saved by his parents, who took him to the Father Baudouin Orphanage. Decades later, he learned that there were many Jewish orphans saved from the Holocaust, parentless and nameless. Not just him. The people who took care of him in the last phase of his life passed on “the letters about the rescue and life of Piotr Tober” to the Association of Children of the Holocaust.

As a 6-month-old infant, Piotr Tober was brought by his Jewish parents to Father Baudouin Orphanage in Warsaw. It is unclear what role a Mr. D. played in the transference of the child into “good hands” (he himself writes about it in an ambiguous manner): “[…] because he wasn’t a foundling, his parents left him voluntarily in so-called good hands. When we were collecting Piotr there, I saw his father. He was a short man with a freckled face […] he watched us through a gap in the door. It’s conceivable that he was Jewish […] he wanted to save his child’s life.”

Piotr Tober—we are using the name given to him by his loving adoptive mother, which is used in her correspondence with Piotr Tober’s caretaker during his stay at the Orphanage.
Mr. D—we are not revealing the full names of the people responsible for the tragedy of Piotr Tober. It would now be difficult to verify the information coming from fragments of correspondence from half a century ago. (Tober himself gives the name “Doński”).

Mr. D. didn’t learn anything about Piotr’s parents. He didn’t know their last name, either. He suspected that the head of the Orphanage knew it but “he couldn’t find her” after the war. Helena Tober took the boy in. Her own son had died as an infant not too long before, which made it easier to produce a “real” birth certificate. She was married to a German and therefore had a Volksliste. This is an important detail, because after the war she was forced to leave for Germany, taking Piotr with her. She treated him like her own son. In Germany, she experienced hardship. At that point, she turned to Mr.

D. and her old friend, who was familiar with the boy’s case. While she didn’t receive help, both individuals demanded that she send the boy back to Poland because “they wanted to provide him with a good standard of living.”

The 7-year-old child came to Warsaw via “transport” as if he were a “live package,” after which he waited at the station for several hours before Mr. D. arrived. “A good standard of living” was to be provided to Piotr at the Chylice Orphanage, where the self-proclaimed custodians placed him. At the same time, they cut off communication with the boy’s adoptive mother (as his later life suggests).

After several years, Piotr was transferred to another orphanage in Silesia. There, Michał Cubert, about whom Piotr writes that he was his “only support and help in the hardest times of his early youth,” took care of him. Realizing the boy’s advanced anxiety disorder, he made efforts to find his adoptive mother. He informed him about his Jewish origin: “He would always stress, with great warmth, that I always missed so much, that Jews were a large family of which we should be proud.”

The preserved letters suggest that in 1956, Michał Cubert located Mr. D. and thanks to his information, which was very scarce, he found Helena Tober.

The letters of Helena Tober to Michał Cubert:

Donauwörth, 15 August 1956
Dear and Kind Sir!

I received your letter a week ago. I wanted to write you back immediately but the blow was too terrible. How can I help Piotr? Right now, I’m forwarding his infant photograph, an excerpt from the registry and Barbara Ś.’s letter.

This letter will explain why I sent Piotr back. They tormented me for an entire year. They were promising to secure his future. I was poor, so terribly poor: I didn’t have enough blankets at night and had to keep Piotr warm with my own body. They promised me heaven on earth… I was surprised that my letters inquiring about Piotr remained unanswered. It was hard for me to get over my disappointment. I had put all my trust in Leon D. and Barbara Ś. Here are the answers to the questions you asked in your letter:

1. I don’t have Piotr’s birth certificate. He was christened in Żyrardów at the Protestant church with the names Juliusz-Piotr. His godfather was Prause, a baker from Sochaczew.

2. When I was taking Piotr from the Baudouin Institute, they wouldn’t give me the names of his birth parents. It was only mentioned that the mother was a student and the father was executed by the Germans.

Does D. know more? I don’t know.

The news about Piotr’s life has devastated me. Perhaps in a few weeks, I’ll be able to sort out his future. I myself have nothing, but perhaps something can be arranged. I’ll write you again next Thursday. I don’t want to lose touch with you. Would it be possible to teach Piotr some basic German? Please forgive me if my letter is a bit chaotic but my emotions are getting the better of me.

Sincerely and gratefully,

Helena Tober

P.S. Please, let Piotr read parts of Barbara’s letter. Let him know that I didn’t want to give him up, that it was demanded of me and that I was guided by his well-being. It’s not about clearing my name but so that Piotr feels that I will do anything in my power to get him his mother back.

❦

Donauwörth, 3 September 1956
Dearest and most wonderful Mr. Michał!

I hope God will reward you for the efforts you’ve made for my little Piotr, for the heart you’ve shown to this poor child. Mr. Michał, do not believe any promises and do not give Piotr away to anybody. Years ago, they coaxed him away from me with promises and reassurances. They took him away from me. I had no money; in order to get a slice of bread, I had to leave Piotr unattended. Having no blankets, I had to keep the child warm with my own body. From Barbara’s letter I sent you, you can see that they were promising his well-being and care. My letters inquiring about the child’s life remained unanswered. I am no angel, but such villainy… And I trusted them, I was sure they were impeccable people. Mr. Michał, under no circumstances give Piotr away into their hands. I hope God Almighty and the Holy Mary of Częstochowa have mercy and allow me to make up for Piotr being an orphan, at least for a few years. He listened to my prayers and sent you, Mr. Michał, so maybe my other plans will go well, too…

Today I received the letters, joy and misery intermingle…

God bless your kind soul, Mr. Michał,

Gratefully, Helena Tober

Piotr was christened in Żyrardów in 1942 in March or April. The christened name: Juliusz. The godfather was a baker from Sochaczew, Prause; I can’t recall the godmother.

Adopted parents:

Father: Juliusz Tober (I can’t recall the date of birth)

Mother: myself, Helena Tober née Sidler-Padko, born in 1894, 1st June, profession: teacher.

P.S. I’m attaching another letter from Barbara, which proves that I didn’t want to give up Piotr. Let Piotr read it, let my son know that I only wanted what was good for him. For years I’ve missed him, not a day went by that I didn’t pray for him. I was helpless. H.T.

One of the letters written by Helena Tober to her adopted son has also been preserved.

Donauwörth, 17 September 1956
My Dearest Son!

Forgive me that you’ve been waiting so long for my reply but I’m out all day, and by the evening, I’m spent. In any case, you’re always in my thoughts. I’ve missed you, year after year. I always have your photograph with me (the one where you’re laughing). I wrote your guardian, Mr. Cubera a long time ago and now I’m awaiting his decision. I suspect he’s talked to you and you already know everything.

Dearest Son! I sent you a small package on the 5th of this month and I think it’s arrived. Now I’m waiting for your letter and I want to send another, bigger, package right away. The first one was to test whether and how packages are arriving. Today it’s going to be a short note because everything I would like to say depends on Mr. Cubera and your decision. Write me everything about you: What do you do? What do you read? What are your interests, etc.? With all my soul, I would like to become part of your plans and wishes. You’re not a child anymore but a young man, and life has taught you to think in serious terms. Please, write me as soon and as much as possible.

My dear Piotr! My dear baby! Everything’s the same at my end: running around, working. It’s just that I’m old and tired now. If only God would grant me enough time and energy so I could see my plans through. I don’t wish for anything for myself, but I only have you two in the whole world and it’s for you that I ask God for His grace and blessings.

I’m sending you warm hugs, my dear little Piotr

Your Mother, Tober

The next letter illustrates the plight of Helena Tober, who took the dramatic decision to give up her adopted son.

Donauwörth, 9 September 1956
Mr. Michał,

I received your letter today and I’m writing straight back. I also sent a letter to my Piotr today.

First, official matters: Piotr must be registered in Sochaczew because Tober registered him personally. As I wrote several times before, he was christened in Żyrardów (in accordance with Tober’s request but after his death) in an Evangelical church (Sochaczew didn’t have an Evangelical parish). The godparents were: the baker Prause from Sochaczew and a teacher, but her name has escaped my weary mind.

You demand of me openness and the truth?! What do you mean by that? I’m not hiding anything, and I have nothing to hide. No one knows the depth of my torment and I haven’t talked about it with anyone. What’s the point, anyway? My life with Tober was good until the war. After the Germans’ invasion, his German origin went to his head, and without asking my opinion, he registered me and my son. My ordeal began: he tyrannized me mentally. What did or do the closest circle of my friends know about my mental torment?! I secretly helped Jews in their plight; I helped my neighbors with the occupation authorities; I gave clothes to Barbara, foodstuffs to her impoverished, exiled people… Whoever turned to me for help, I never refused. I see no race but individuals. My son was drafted into the army (15 and a half years old). He was severely wounded. My son-in-law (a Polish officer) was imprisoned; another son went missing: an officer of the Polish reserve. I lost my daughter… They took Piotr, coaxed him away from me. I went from place to place and now I’m wandering around the world in old age. I work hard to earn my bread while my son is toiling without a prospect to improve his life… If I’ve done anything wrong, I’ve been paying for it. I’m not complaining! Apparently, that’s the way it has to be. I feel for Janusz, I feel for Piotr because they’re both innocent. I wish I could live for another few years to help them. Mr. Michał, these are no clichés, it’s the reality.

When I was adopting Piotr, I was absolutely sure I could provide for him, give him a good home. It wasn’t me but Destiny that ruined my plans and wishes. I didn’t look to get rid of him but D. and Barbara wished to have him.

What for? I don’t know. It was true that I was poor and the child must have suffered from poverty in my care.

They were promising him prosperity and a secure future. I couldn’t say no; I dared not for the sake of the child. Please, understand me. I don’t consider myself infallible, perfect, etc., but I did nothing bad, and I’m not lying. In the last letter, I communicated to you, Mr. Michał, that I would like Piotr back, but the decision is in your hands. Education is a beautiful thing but it won’t always guarantee your future. My eduction, for example, is of no use to me.

If you and Piotr (let him decide) approve of my plan, please reply promptly. My neighbor, a craftsman, is waiting. After three years, he could become an apprentice and make a good living. These are respected, good, people and he’ll feel good there. Is a craftsman below a scholar?! Whatever you decide, it’ll be fine. You understand that I would like to have Piotr but I fear I might be jeopardizing his future. My longing for him should be my pain only.

The content of the next letter by Helena Tober proves that she and Michał Cubert made the decision that Piotr should return to his mother. They were also applying for the documents necessary for Piotr to leave Poland. Based on this, it can be inferred that Piotr was staying at the orphanage without any sort of documentation, which must have existed since he had crossed the borders of two countries on his way to Poland. What did Mr. D. do with them after he collected Piotr from the station?

Donauwörth, 7 October 1956
Dearest Mr. Michał!

I received your letters back to back. The last one contained the baptismal certificate. I’ll be happy when I get one translated into German.

Please, don’t spend money on the boy’s clothing. It’ll be easier and cheaper here; I can get the factory price. I was going to send Piotr a larger package but it would mean, first of all, more expense for you and secondly, I hope that soon I’ll be able to hand it to him personally.

Please let me know how we can speed up his arrival here. It’s not only about the matters of the heart, but the foreman is waiting impatiently because he needs an apprentice and such good conditions are rare. These are my friends; respected, very good people, very good accommodation, treatment beyond reproach, the German language is not an issue, 200 meters away from me. As an apprentice, he will get 5 DM a week. Does his arrival need to follow the official procedures on your side?

I already have some underpants and socks for Piotr. Mr. Michał, I don’t know how to thank you for everything! After his arrival, I won’t have a big problem with registering him because nothing should stand in the way of a son coming back to his mother.

Please let me know what I should include in the letter to the sisters at the orphanage: only thanks for the efforts and care of Piotr, or a request to release him? You’ve put so much love, devotion, and effort into this case that I’m afraid to act on my own in case it is against your doings or intentions. I even stopped writing to Piotr because (I suspect) his letters are being opened and read. Please tell him from me that I love him and I miss him, that I long to see him and have him by my side as soon as possible in order to give him the warmth and joy of life to the extent that I can. Please tell him that I’ll cook pea soup. When he was 2-3 years old, he would pour it into an apron pocket when no one was watching. Does he remember that, too? When he was given an evening bath, he’d scream his lungs out but he was always ready to jump into a river. He didn’t even have time to put on his swimming trunks, he’d go in in his clothes. Does my precious remember that, too?! I was so worried he would drown! And now he’s so big! Dear God! give me at least this much strength and time so I can pay him back for his years of being an orphan, until he gets a profession. Pray, Mr. Michał. One of my kind friends managed to get me the painting of “Częstochowska”…

But I can see that I’m starting to “go soft,” so I’ll stop here. Dearest Mr. Michał, please, accept my deepest gratitude and warm wishes.

Tober Helena The Mother

P.S. Big, big hugs to Piotr.

The letter of Michał Cubert to Helena Tober:

Stalinogród, 28 August 1956
Dear mother of Piotr!

I’m shaken by the news in the letter that I was impatiently awaiting, and which my wife forwarded to me here, to the Orphanage. I’m attaching Piotr’s letter.

I’m also surprised by the sudden decision, which Piotr received from Mr. D., that he was coming here. He transferred 100 zloty to him for sneakers and he’s going to bring him pants. At this point, I’m not going to mention your letter at all. Perhaps you wrote him something, but please have Piotr’s interests in mind and understand me because I know a thing or two. I received his letter regarding the adoption, in yet another version. I’ll send you a copy soon. I recall this: “it seems that we adopted Piotr from there.” It threw me off track. Anyway. These days, Piotr is dressed really nicely. This time I gave him socks, undershirts, pants, a parka (jacket), a summer coat, a leather purse (with some change), etc., and he’s getting proper shoes from the head Sisters soon. I’ll try to gradually get more. Piotr asked me himself to learn German a while ago but it’s a bit difficult because the distance between us is rather great. I’ll explain more soon. I’ll try to sort everything out as much as I can. I ask that you trust me. I’m fearful for Piotr’s future and I’m anxious myself because I don’t know much about Mr. D. nor anyone else from that circle. They refuse to answer any questions. I insisted on one thing with the management, that we not give Piotr away to anyone now. Only to you, perhaps because I believe this is where he belongs, with his mother! For my part, I’ll do anything, with God’s help and strong faith in the truth. God is on our side. Piotr’s letter to you, which he really wrote by himself, and now yours to him moved me deeply. We’re decorating the house with Piotr here. He has artistic talents. He’s an intelligent boy, getting more handsome every day, becoming a man. How did he take the letter? I called Piotr to the room and I closed the door. I gave him the paper with the photograph. He asked: “Is this me?” He was looking at it, holding the photograph with his trembling hands, reading. His eyes teared up. He was trying to hold it together with all his might (I’m teaching him that too). Suddenly, his whole face turned red. Sweat glistened on him as if he had just left a bathhouse. A powerful experience. I later read him both letters, from you and Mrs. Ś. His eyes were ready to pop out of his head. His mouth moved as if he was whispering the word: “mama.” Suddenly, he recalled that when he was sent by “The Red Cross,” which was also in Warsaw, he saw Mr. D. taking his documents. Fearful and scared, he watched Mr. D. through the window. For a long time, Mr. D. walked up and down the hallway arm in arm with one of the employees, and then he took him. He spent two weeks there. The rest you know more or less. Later, I’ll tell you something very important, what terrible insult was unjustifiably directed at P.

This tells me a lot and explains unambiguously the consequences that affected him. When I asked Piotr if he was happy, he couldn’t simply say the word “Yes.” He trembled a little and hugged me. I almost started bawling myself. I remembered a moment in April this year when I found the mother of another child after 11 years and brought her here. As I said goodbye to them, other children were later standing by the window, looking out longingly, in silence, watching those leaving in joy. Sadness stayed. After a while, I heard a knock, the door opened. Piotr entered shyly, my dear “Grasshopper” (because he plays beautifully with this puppet in the “Puppenteater”). He closed the door. He was fidgeting nervously and finally said: “Oh, would you find my mother too?” He hugged me, bowed his head and wept aloud.

It is unclear how, but the correspondence regarding Piotr included a letter from Michał Cubert to the friend or acquaintance of Helena Tober. This person, along with Mr. D., were supposed to take care of the boy.

Katowice, 26 October 1956
Dear Madam!

[…] Regarding the issue of Piotr. I’m in touch with his mother, Mrs. Helena Tober, who is firm that she wants her child back. She claims she wrote you and Mr. D. but unfortunately, you failed to answer her queries about the child. In her tragic situation at the time, she thought that something must have happened. She wrote you from Buchdorf, Ebembergau, and most recently, from Donauwörth, with no response. All her efforts to find out anything about her son were in vain. I’m not here to judge anyone, but the plight of this child is extremely sad. Piotr begged me to find his mother. I dug my heels in to help the child like others before. I did my best and succeeded. I opened the door but now the (Evangelical) Sisters are adamantly against the child returning to his mother, violating the child’s free will. I even gave him your address so he could thank you. I don’t know if he wrote you, because recently the correspondence has been strangely severed. I last saw him on 7.10. I consider his and others’ letters as material evidence, if need be. Although I don’t want to cause harm to anyone, I can’t be indifferent to the child’s inner torment. The more so that I’ve been informed by a reliable source that this is wrong because, currently, there is “a tendency to unite families.” If the child is willing, and the mother demands it, it mustn’t be hindered. The Orphanage itself must make efforts at the Presidium of the Urban National Council in Ząbkowice Śląskie to send the child to his mother. I will continue to do my part. I also wrote Piotr that if the Sisters continue to object, he should ask the Presidium himself. This is the advice I got. I should get a reply by the end of this month. Nothing so far. The Sisters didn’t pass on the birth certificate which was sent to Piotr. All previous files vanished in “Tabit” a long time ago, where he was admitted at the time. There is a disgusting lie added to his files, “psychological retardation.” I also have other files, of one gentleman from Berlin, for instance. He even gives details about another child who was returned to his mother after 11 years, here, not far from me. The mother was looking for the child abroad. She asked around Evangelical Orphanages, to no avail, while the child was here. The child has a stutter after his experiences. He was also being talked into not returning to his mother, who was given a horrible reputation although it wasn’t true. I know it for myself. It wasn’t until I got involved and made both of them finally happy after their hardship and misery. I don’t understand the Sisters, although I’m Catholic myself (but the issues of faith make no difference to me. I’m guided only by actual love and sacrifice to others—by brotherhood). I don’t understand that while working hard for the sake of the Orphanage and the orphans in the name of true social love, they are handling the matter of the child and his future in such a devious way. I know these issues all too well because I visit there a lot, taking care of the unfortunate. I don’t know, what do you think? I believe that the child should be sent to his mother that he misses […] The last time we exchanged harsh words, they threatened me with Mr. D., despite the fact that they had had a different opinion before. I’m not getting involved in these matters because I don’t know all the motives. But having corresponded with Mr. D., he himself gave me the address of Mrs. Tober (an old one, though). After various issues and inquiries, I finally got in touch with Piotr’s mother. I’m familiar with the case. The files, which are the material evidence, have accumulated. When I received the first letter of Mrs. Tober, Mr. D. was supposed to be at the Orphanage. I thought we would talk. But unfortunately, he wasn’t there. He also hasn’t responded to my last letter from August. I don’t know if he’s in touch with the Sisters. I understand that he wasn’t earlier. Right now, I’m waiting for more events to unfold. Later I’ll ask Mr. D. and explain matters further. Mr. D. knew about my efforts in Piotr’s case from my letters to him. I don’t know what stood in the way of him coming over in September. He had written Piotr that he would but he didn’t come while I was there. Mrs. Tober is very upset with you as well, but I understand the sincerity of her soul and confessions, where she always prayed for you and her son. She even got sick after receiving my first message about Piotr. It was traumatic for her but at the same time, she was grateful for my efforts. She insists on getting Piotr back as soon as possible. She’s also making plans for later. It’s God’s will, by which I trust that the truth must prevail. The orphanage could have applied for the child’s documents, but you can clearly see a scheme here. In any case, not compassion or particular care because even the mother’s address had vanished, everything! The child has been left in the lurch only with his memories and longing, which only now, after great pains, have explained the actual truth and compliance with his confessions about his Home and his Mother, brother, etc. Finally, I’d like to ask, did Piotr write to you? Do you correspond with Mr. D.? Perhaps the Sisters have written you?

I’m not familiar with these current behind-the-scenes matters, although I’m sensing that something is not right because I’ve learned their “truth” inside and out. I’m not judging them, but I know the unfortunate truth and I feel sad that I have to fight for the legitimate rights of the miserable child in the name of justice and care for the adolescent. He must be going through a lot, raised in the conditions of all kinds of depression, which is dangerous for Piotr himself and shaping his personality. He’s already 16 years old. In a year or two, he’ll have to leave the Orphanage and then what? It pains me so much that he’s silent now although he’s perfectly aware of what I’ve done and keep doing for him. Currently, some threat […] is causing his silence although he promised he would write promptly. I’m not suffering on my account but on the account of the character of the future man. We should always remember it, and this is what pains me and seems criminal! For the time being, please refrain from doing anything. I’m just curious what you think. I’ll send the birth certificate when I get it. I’m asking for your honesty and help with the child’s case […]. I also ask for your patience! Please forgive me if I’ve offended you in any way, but I think I’ve been transparent, and you can always fully trust those who speak with their actions […].

Kind regards, respectfully yours.

P.S. I will never believe that Mr. D. would oppose a child returning to his mother. On the contrary, he writes that he’d be happy and content if Piotr’s matter got resolved. I have a copy of this letter to you and I think that he will get it soon, along with my letter to him. For now, I’ll wait a little longer because you need to exercise a lot of patience here. I think it’s all very sad for everyone.

Piotr is already corresponding with his mother and all the copies of his letters to his mother are also in the files. She also sent him a package and a photograph of when he was a baby. The letters of both of them are very moving.

Michał Cubert’s letter makes accusations and poses questions. Why does the letter’s addressee need Piotr’s birth certificate? Why did she and Mr. D. sever contacts with Mrs. Tober and stop taking an interest in the child who came to Poland by their request? And finally, why did the nuns running the orphanage oppose Piotr’s returning to his adopted mother? Were they doing so against the official policies at the time to reunite families? There is no answer to any of these questions. Below is another letter of Michał Cubert to the old friend of Piotr’s adopted mother.

Dear Madam!

The birth certificate finally came from Żyrardów. I was waiting for a long time. That’s why I was also delaying the letter, that is, delaying sending it. I’m attaching the requested birth certificate. Piotr’s mother will probably be here soon — she’ll come. She’s making every effort to have Piotr back, based on official evidence, etc. I’d like you to send the civil status records in Sochaczew promptly, and if possible, to send back the one I’m attaching. Many thanks and best wishes.

6 November 56

I’d like at least two copies if that’s all right. I’m waiting.

Piotr  Tober  never  went  to  Germany  and  was  never  reunited  with his adopted mother. We know about Piotr’s later life from his own recollections.

He stayed at the orphanage until it was liquidated in 1962. He found himself without a home or resources. He joined the army but couldn’t stay in it due to his poor health. He didn’t say how he managed, but he got married and worked. His marriage wasn’t successful. His wife’s family treated him like a founding. His wife and sons left him. He got involved with a “bad crowd” and started drinking. Seeking help, he found the

Diakonis Convent in Dzięgielów. From there, he moved to Ustroń, where he got a welfare room and pension. In this period, he encountered some kind people: an Evangelical pastor (a Jew by origin) and his wife.

Janina Bruell, a Master of Theology and the wife of Pastor Bruell, knew Piotr Tober in the last phase of his life. We learned from her, after Tober’s death, that her husband had known Piotr since his childhood. The future pastor, a student of theology during the Nazi occupation, lived with young Piotr under the same roof in Warsaw. The boy, whose parents died in the Warsaw ghetto when he was six months old, was at that time staying at the Baudouin Orphanage.

It wasn’t until several decades later that these two people – Pastor Bruell and Piotr Tober – met, which was a turning point for Piotr, a child of the Holocaust. Janina Bruell wrote, “He began opening the book of his life…. For the first time perhaps, he was experiencing authentic concern and compassion … His hidden desire was to discover the roots of his origin.” She further recalls that Piotr Tober felt that he was “a man from nowhere, he suffered from a sense of rejection.” It was hard for him to believe that he wasn’t a nameless wanderer (because he used his adopted parents’ name). As he confessed himself, it wasn’t until he was 57 years old that he learned that he was a part of the “large, special family of ‘Children of the Holocaust’ […] He received his first, very much needed material help, which he appreciated. Three days later, the candle of his life went out forever. It happened on September 12, 1998,” said Janina Bruell.

Piotr ended his “confession from his childhood age,” written down right before his death, with the words: “perhaps, it will get better”…