Gary Metivier / Norma Thoeming
The streetlights were dark. Black-out curtains hung on every window on every home. The buzz of bombers circled above, searching for targets in the night.For a little girl named Norma, this was the only life she knew. This was life in World War II England.A shiny apple for Christmas was all her father could give. Her mother had walked away without saying a word to her children, after young evacuees escaping the Blitz bombing in London flooded their town. Norma’s older sister Pat comforted and protected her as they watched the 'pretty little lights' that lit the way for bombers above their home. Her mischievous brother Brian entertained them with his antics when he wasn’t entertaining himself in his search for adventure. He ran out onto the streets to see where the bombs landed when most ran to shelters instead. But together they found a way to live life.Soon, two American service members on leave would open their eyes to a whole new world filled with new tastes and new dreams for a brighter tomorrow.But what would it take for Norma to make it through? She takes us on an inspirational journey of love, loss, laughter, and hope. Norma reveals life behind the masks she would need to wear to survive.My Mask. My War. Norma’s War.The streetlights were dark. Black-out curtains hung on every window on every home. The buzz of bombers circledabove, searching for targets in the night.For a little girl named Norma, this was the only life she knew. This was life in World War II England.A shiny apple for Christmas was all her father could give. Her mother had walked away without saying a word to her children, after young evacuees escaping the Blitz bombing in London flooded their town. Norma’s older sister Pat comforted and protected her as they watched the 'pretty little lights' that lit the way for bombers above their home. Hermischievous brother Brian entertained them with his antics when he wasn’t entertaining himself in his search for adventure. He ran out onto the streets to see where the bombs landed when most ran to shelters instead. Buttogether they found a way to live life.Soon, two American service members on leave would open their eyes to a whole new world filled with new tastes and new dreams for a brighter tomorrow.But what would it take for Norma to make it through? She takes us on an inspirational journey of love, loss, laughter, and hope. Norma reveals life behind the masks she would need to wear to survive.My Mask. My War. Norma’s War.*****A portion of the proceeds from this book are being donated to support non-profit veteran’s programs.
