“America,” I imagine she whispered tearfully. “You’ll be safe there—and free. Trust in God. Become good husbands and fathers. I love you always.”
After one last embrace, she hurried her young, terrified boys onto the steamship under the cover of night.
At dawn, the brothers cautiously sneaked to the top deck in hopes of catching one more glimpse of their mother. As the ship departed from Ireland, the boys spotted a familiar red handkerchief waving from the dock. Frozen by grief and fear, they fixed their eyes on the one who loved them most and watched her until she was no longer visible. That would be the last time the 8- and 10-year-old boys ever saw their mother….