Starting today, and in five installments to come, we’ll share Klaus Citterman’s story. The story begins with his escape at age 17 from Nazi Germany; continues as he and his parents flee to Shanghai, China; and concludes in Portland, Oregon, where he marries, builds a new life, and raises four children.

The story was written by Klaus’s daughter, Teri Citterman Bahm, a public-relations consultant, freelance writer, and award-winning wine writer based in Seattle.

Teri, who chronicled the last seven years of her father’s life, was kind enough to share portions of her memoir with Five More Minutes With. Thanks a million, dear Teri!

Yesterday, I e-mailed an editor at The Seattle Times whose writing I adore and whom I respect and admire (but with whom I don’t correspond nearly enough) about some work-related matters. And almost as an afterthought, I mentioned Five More Minutes With and suggested she take a look at the site.

I got goosebumps when she wrote back within moments to say that she should write something, since it was her father’s birthday, and he had died 18 years ago.

I responded, “Oh, my. I am so sorry, but isn’t it almost eerie I would contact you about this today of all days?

“I keep running into ‘coincidences’ such as this the deeper I get into this project. . .quite fascinating and heartening as we begin this journey!”

Her response: “Please don’t be sorrry. It’s just fitting is all.

“There are no coincidences. Just energy and purpose! And witch power (not bad witches, woman power really).”

Have you had any unusual “coincidences” in your life lately? Do you believe in woman power?

One of the most joyous things that has occurred since I came up with the idea for Five More Minutes With in late January, then actually launched the site on March 26, is that my aunt and I have reconnected after years of simply sending Christmas cards and occasional e-mails.

Aunt Jo is a southern lady through and through. In her eighties, she has had a tough life, losing two sons while still in their teens, her husband at an early age, then another son in his fifties.

Her story about the accidental drowning of her son and my cousin, Lee, was one of the first stories I received and posted.

Still, she’s maintained her faith and volunteered in grief counseling. Here’s a short poem she shared with me earlier in the week. I found it so inspiring, I wanted to share it with you on Easter Sunday.

“And with the morn,

Those angel faces smile.

Which we have loved long since

And lost a while.”

I am a calm, gentle, level-headed person and I must admit that I am deeply affected by all the ugly things that happen around the world, and in our own country, each and every day. And I think that despair, in a strange (or perhaps not so strange) way was part of the reason I launched Five More Minutes With.

By returning to the past, reliving memories of dearly departed loved ones and happy times we’ve shared with them, we block out (at least for a little while) some of the darkness in real life.

Validation for this theory came from a dear friend and mentor of mine, a talented writer and editor, a visionary and life coach, who lives in that forward-thinking, trend-setting state to the south, California.

When she first looked at FMMW, she said, “What a beautiful idea, and place to encourage individuals to write their thoughts about their departing/departed love one.

“I like the look of the site, too. Welcoming and, with the list of possible persons/cats/etc. to receive the words of love, it’s also inspiring.

“What the world needs now is love, sweet love.”

I couldn’t agree more.