Bernice's mother, Rose Kucera Foukal, died January 22, 1999. This lady was truly an inspiration to this author and most likely everyone who knew her over her hardworking eighty year life. If she had ever cleaned out her attic, this book would not have been possible. If her son, Melvin, had not uttered the words, "did you guys check the attic", as the gang of six were about to depart Rose's home for the last time, this book would not have been possible. Found in the attic of her home that day were boxes of letters that had been exchanged between Rose and her family in Idaho dating back to the 1930's. The letters were looked over to determine what should be done with them and the thought of writing a book came to mind very quickly. It was hard to read some of the letters without either crying or laughing. A book bearing the title CZECH MATE had been in the mind of the author for quite sometime. These letters provided the missing ingredient to get the project underway.

The book was written knowing that probably the only readers would be the children, grandchildren, nephews, nieces, and siblings of Bernice Foukal Escue Young. After working on it for well over a year now, it can truly be said that it would have been done even if there were to be no readers. It has been a true blessing compiling the data that is presented on the foregoing pages. It is hoped that each of you that call my Czech Mate, mother, grandmother, aunt Bernice, or sister, will come to understand and appreciate her even more as a result of looking back into her life as well as the lives of some of her ancestors.

Bernice's first grandchild. Click to Enlarge.

Ashley loses a tooth. Click to Enlarge.

If you read this book, you know that the life she lives today did not come about overnight. She set her goals early in her life on the farm and worked so very hard for so many years before she felt like she had achieved what she had started out to do in her life. She has told me many times about going out to a place of seclusion on the farm and building the outline of her dream house out of pine needles all raked up in rows. She would sit there, alone, and dream of having her own home someday that would resemble the floor plan all laid out. Now a days she has to help sweep and blow the pine needles away from two homes like she dreamed of having. She turned her dreams into reality. Her place in life has far exceeded her wildest dreams.

Thanksgiving 1988, Rose Foukal with her daughter Linda Foukal Meyers and family.

Thanksgiving 1988, Rose Foukal with Mike Escue.

I received a lot of encouragement during the writing of this book from two people I would like to acknowledge at this time. My sister-in-law, Linda Myers, kept me focused on writing it, even if I could only devote a day a week. I enjoyed the book she wrote very much and that was a great encouragement. Thank you Linda for all your help.

My other sister-in-law, Gail Foukal, read my work through the first several chapters and encouraged me to the extent that I asked her to get involved by writing an ending for it. She wrote a piece that is included in part here.

"The definition of epilogue is; a short concluding section in a literary work. This book may be a literary work; but more than that, it is an amazing gift. The time, research, patience, skill and most of all, love that has gone into this book is immeasurable and unbelievable. Twenty-one years ago I worried about Bernice and what she would do with the rest of her life. She had worked hard to build a business, be a loving wife, and raise two wonderful children. Now, where would her life go? You entered her life and brought with you love, acceptance, joy, and laughter. My only complaint would be that the two of you are so content with each other that it drives the rest of us crazy at times! God, thank you for such a problem! Thank you Bill for sharing that love & laughter with everyone around you.

The people that will receive this gift will be truly blessed. I hope that they have been enlightened by the facts within, and warmed by the love that has gone into this piece.

Rose visits Czechoslovakia in 1990 and finds her husband's relatives. Click to Enlarge.

Rose visits the house where her father Joseph Kucera was born in Czechoslovakia. Click to Enlarge.

The Czechoslovakians in this book came to America in search of a better life for their family. They endured many hardships, but as I look around "my family", I feel their efforts were not in vain. This is a wonderful family with an amazing heritage. May they always keep it close and be proud of it."

Thank you Gail for those words in which I close this work, except for adding this about my Czech Mate.

I’ve never known someone so well and still felt there was so much left to discover. I’ve never known someone I could spend hours with and still long for time to share. I’ve never felt so close to someone in so many ways. I know I will never be able to tell you with words how much you mean to me. I hope you understand that the love I feel for you is more beautiful, more meaningful than words can ever say.

My thanks to my Czech Mate for reading this in it's entirety and pointing out mistakes that would have been embarrassing even though this was my first attempt at writing a book.

Now on to my next writing adventure. I will attempt to turn our fifteen years of world travel into something someone could read in the comfort of their easy chair and not really have to go through the hassles of travel that you experience today.