The Music of My Life

The Music of My Life takes its reader on a journey from Geldsdorf, Germany where Hedi Giese Azus lived until the age of five when her father sent three first-class tickets on an ocean liner for her mother, Elise, her brother, Freddie, and her to come to America.

The year was 1925 and her father had established a small copper piping company in Woodhaven, New York. The Depression took its toll on the family business and Hedi went to work in Manhattan’s garment district. She became a model, and then had the good fortune to meet the man of her dreams, Sydney Hoffman. When World War II broke out, Sydney enlisted in Officers’ Candidacy School. Upon graduation, they were married, crisscrossed the United States from one army post to another traveling along famous Route 66.

Ultimately Sydney was stationed in the South Pacific and for over three years, the Hoffmans carried on a correspondence. Many of the letters are included in this memoir which gives a glimpse into military life. After the war, Sydney saw his daughter for the first time. Life was good for the new parents, until Sydney died of a heart attack.

Hedi was forced to make a life for herself, becoming an independent woman working as an account manager at the Gibraltar Savings Bank in Los Angeles. Her positive outlook carried her through many difficult times, and she never gave up the dream of finding her second Prince Charming. As luck would have it, he walked into the Bank and shortly afterwards Al Azus proposed marriage. Hedi and Al have been married for over 27 years sharing the joys of watching their grandchildren flourish. Her overriding philosophy is that “Only one thing matters. That wherever we go and however we go we hear the music of life.”