Every month, I re-read one or two classics from childhood that influenced my writing. Leafing through Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl sent me to the words of Miep Gies, who helped shelter Anne’s family and friends. After their arrest in August 1944, she safeguarded the diary until Otto Frank, the only survivor, returned.
In 1988, Gies penned Anne Frank Remembered: The Story of the Woman Who Helped Hide the Frank Family. The story is soulful plain speak. Six years later, Gies delivered the Wallenberg Lecture at the University of Michigan, disclosing childhood experiences that shaped her path as an adult, including hunger and foster parents who instilled ethics by quiet actions.
Everyday heroism begins at home.
I must re-read both!
A wonderful story of humanity. We need more of these. ❤️
I love the quote, so apt for our times too! I do know I read the Diary when I was very young – maybe too young. Whatever I remember was subsequenlty drowned out by reading about the horrors of the actual Holocaust and many books on that period of European history. Of the two, which would you choose?
Agree with the sentiment but I can only control what I do, not what others do. For this reason, I wish we could have more movies like Pay it Foreword. It started a movement. There will always be turds in the world.. so others end up doing double duty to make up for those people.
I visited Anne Frank’s house long ago…very, very chilling. I have not read this book, but may have to now. Thanks!