While...

<div> <p> You were born in a hospital? Hilde says as she lays down her black bread and cheese sandwich. She sits opposite me at my kitchen table. </p> <br/> <p> Looking up from my salad I nod. Yes I thought everyone by the 1940's was born in a hospital. </p> <br/> <p> Hell no. Hilde stares at me. In Germany I was born at home on the couch delivered by a midwife. </p> <br/> <p> Thus began the noontime conversations of an American housewife and a German cleaning lady about their contrasting lives during and after WWII. </p> <br/> <p> </p> <br/> <p> My mother taught me that an important word in any language is while. While one thing is happening so is another. While I wash dishes Peggy you dry. While we are in nighttime someone is in daylight. While one person dies another is born. </p> <br/> <p> While WWII began two little girls were born and grew up in opposing countries and living in its aftermath. </p> <br/> <p> With this word while we started this book of extreme contrasts startling discoveries and sometimes striking similarities. </p></div>