Sheryn MacMunn
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The Story
Finding Out takes place across two periods of time: the present and the World War II era. The
modern story was easy to write because I lived in New York and worked in many offices with lively
personalities. Also, I like to read yet became dissappointed that all stories focused on women
searching for love instead of finding themselves, which is the only way to find true love.
Ruth's story comes from advice from my grandmothers and my friend Ruth, who was a mentor. They
gave me great advice about love, life and forging ahead when things get tough. Things have never
been as tough for me as they were for 'The Greatest Generation'. All three of these magnificent
women died within the past 10 years. I miss them every day and wish they were here to give me
guidance today. So I took the spirit of those three women and turned them into a hero for a modern
person, Sheila Davenport.
World War II
My Uncle Jack and Uncle Bates both fought in World War II. Uncle Jack was in France while Uncle
Bates fought in the Pacific. There was a lot they didn't talk about but Uncle Jack had a friend named
Otto who lived in the MidWest. He was German and Uncle Jack told me that he met Otto during the
war. Otto was a German Soldier who was a prisoner of war. Uncle Jack was a guard. I was stunned
and asked "How could you make friends with the enemy?" Uncle Jack answered, with a shrug, "He
was a young kid like me who had to fight in a war. He didn't believe in what Hitler was doing but they
would have killed him if he didn't fight." Otto was truly Jack's friend until the end of his life. The day of
Uncle Jack's funeral, Otto called to say 'hello' only to find his lifelong friend has died.
While researching the history of World War II, I was surprised to find out how little people in America
knew about the atrocities happening in Europe. Ruth had told me some of her story, which did
include going to Germany and being unable to leave. In today's world of the Internet and instant
access to everything, I wanted to put readers in a time and place where people truly relied on only a
small number of news outlets to get information.
Finding Out takes place across two periods of time: the present and the World War II era. The
modern story was easy to write because I lived in New York and worked in many offices with lively
personalities. Also, I like to read yet became dissappointed that all stories focused on women
searching for love instead of finding themselves, which is the only way to find true love.
Ruth's story comes from advice from my grandmothers and my friend Ruth, who was a mentor. They
gave me great advice about love, life and forging ahead when things get tough. Things have never
been as tough for me as they were for 'The Greatest Generation'. All three of these magnificent
women died within the past 10 years. I miss them every day and wish they were here to give me
guidance today. So I took the spirit of those three women and turned them into a hero for a modern
person, Sheila Davenport.
World War II
My Uncle Jack and Uncle Bates both fought in World War II. Uncle Jack was in France while Uncle
Bates fought in the Pacific. There was a lot they didn't talk about but Uncle Jack had a friend named
Otto who lived in the MidWest. He was German and Uncle Jack told me that he met Otto during the
war. Otto was a German Soldier who was a prisoner of war. Uncle Jack was a guard. I was stunned
and asked "How could you make friends with the enemy?" Uncle Jack answered, with a shrug, "He
was a young kid like me who had to fight in a war. He didn't believe in what Hitler was doing but they
would have killed him if he didn't fight." Otto was truly Jack's friend until the end of his life. The day of
Uncle Jack's funeral, Otto called to say 'hello' only to find his lifelong friend has died.
While researching the history of World War II, I was surprised to find out how little people in America
knew about the atrocities happening in Europe. Ruth had told me some of her story, which did
include going to Germany and being unable to leave. In today's world of the Internet and instant
access to everything, I wanted to put readers in a time and place where people truly relied on only a
small number of news outlets to get information.
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