Munich – spring, 1885
The sun shone, melting the dreary days of winter. From the arbor on the front porch of the Einstein home hung fragrant Purple wisteria. In the garden was a growing cacophony of red tulips, yellow roses, and blue cornflowers.
Albert had been down the street at his aunt’s house. The family was celebrating his Cousin Benjamin’s 6th birthday. Albert turned six the month before. He loved his aunt’s apple strudel. Shortly after dessert he ran out of the house and got sick all over the pink and red tulips in the yard.
Pauline Einstein, young Albert’s twenty-six-year-old mother, noticed him struggling to climb the porch stairs. Her brow furrowed as she opened the front door. His chubby cheeks flushed. Albert in a sickly gaze looked up and touched his mother’s hand. He moaned, “Mama, I don’t feel good.” With the back of her hand, Pauline kissed his head, “Albert, you’re burning up.”
Pauline pulled back her long muslin skirt. She scooped her boy into her arms and rushed him upstairs to his bedroom. He slept alone in the second bedroom on the right at the top of the stairs with tiny blue flowered wallpaper.
Albert fussed as mama pulled off his necktie, the smell of sour milk spoiled his starched white shirt.
Pauline took a freshly moistened cloth from the washbasin. The concerned mother wiped Albert’s face and hands. She dressed him in a long, cotton nightshirt and tucked him into bed. Albert fell asleep the second his head hit the goose down pillow. Mama stroked his hair and reassured, “sleep, feel better mien, Liebling.” She sat in the chair next to his bed through the night. Every few minutes she wiped his brow to bring down his fever.
The next morning Albert did not join the family for breakfast. Hermann, Albert’s father, noticed the dark circles under Pauline’s eyes. “Is everything alright?”
Picking at her food. She gave a heavy sigh, “I’m worried, Albert has not awakened since yesterday when I put him to bed. His fever is still the same. I’m going to summon a doctor to examine him.”
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Upstairs Albert lay unconscious, his spirit hovered over his bed. Disoriented, he saw his limp body, and in his mind he wondered, What’s happening to me? Albert felt a gentle breeze, his spirit caught a glimpse of a tall, brilliant winged being at the foot of the bed. “It’s alright Albert; I am Angel Zerachiel, I am here to watch over you.”
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Clutching the doorknob, Pauline ushered in Dr. Klaus Weiss. Albert's spirit and Angel Zerachiel listened during the examination. Dr. Weiss pulled his spectacles from the inside pocket of his tailored, wool suit. He strained to hear Albert’s breathing. Pushing his glasses up on his nose he bent down to inspect Albert.
Pauline, is afraid to breath, ran her hands through her hair, “What can we do doctor.?”
Dr. Weiss turned to Pauline, “Give him Boneset for the fever." He wrote instructions for Albert. “Steep about one teaspoon of the dried herb in 2 cups of boiling water for 10 minutes, then strain.” He opened his leather, medical bag and pulled out a small tin container marked “Boneset.” He handed the herbal remedy to Pauline. “Soothe his head with lavender and chamomile water.”
Later that afternoon Hermann came home early from work. He peeked through a crack in the door into Albert’s room. Pauline sat in the chair next to the bed. Albert propped up on pillows being spoon feed.
Pauline said, "The herbs Dr. Weiss recommended broke his fever." The youngster was awake but struggled to move his body. Hermann tiptoed in to see how his young son and wife were doing. He shared a wink with Pauline as he sat on the edge of the bed. He patted the bedding, “I am so relieved to see you feeling better.” Albert raised his tiny hand to acknowledge his papa. He did not remember the Angel or leaving his body.
Hermann reached inside his moleskin pants and pulled out a round, brass object on a silver chain. The twelve gems on top glistened in the morning light. He dangled the present he was about to give to his son, “This is a compass, Albert.” A quizzical look came over the young boy. Albert wondered what a compass was. Hermann opened the brass cover to show Albert how it worked. Hermann’s eyes glowed as he used his index finger to show his young son. “See this arrow it always points north. This is because the charged magnetic needle aligns itself with the Earth’s magnetic field. The compass is for navigation, to help you find your way.”
Mesmerized Albert’s eyes widened as he grabbed the new toy. It felt heavy in his little hands. He twisted, turned and shook it. No matter how he turned it, the mysterious needle pointed north. “Where did you get it, Papa?” Albert asked.
Hermann shrugged. “A new electrical customer Mr. Leipzig gave it to me to pay for installing lighting in his house. The compass has been in his family for many years. See the twelve gemstones on top? This is a unique compass. Be sure and keep it safe.”
The excitement of the new gadget gave Albert a spurt of energy that soon waned. He clutched his latest treasure and fell asleep.
Pauline reached out and touched Hermann on the hand, “What a wonderful gift for Albert. Look he seems better.”
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