Today is the Holocaust Memorial Day. 71 year have passed and we still remember. 71 years have passed and we shall never forget.
My grandmother had lost her beloved fiance. My grandfather his wife and 5 year old daughter that was shot against his own unbelieving and crying eyes. Eyes that have seen much horrors in Auschwitz later on. My grandparents on my father’s side were expelled from their own home with 2 little babies and my grandfather got sent to a labor camp, leaving my grandmother and aunts alone.
I have recently read the book “Night” by: Elie Wiesel. I strongly recommend anyone who has not read this book before to read it and to spread the word to others. It is essential to learn and never forget the ungodly horrors which were Mr. Wiesel and my late grandfather’s awful reality for several years.
Reading the book “Night” has given me my first heart shattering glimpse at what my late grandfather, of blessed memory, had been through while walking in the valley of the shadow of death.
My grandfather had chosen to be silent and until reading this book I didn’t fully know the extent of his suffering. I still cannot fully understand, no one can – unless one sees the death in his own eyes and feel the torture on his own skin and on the bodies of his loved ones.
My grandfather had remarried after the war and started a new family. He gave life to my mother and uncle, after he had lost his 5 years old daughter who was shot and his wife who had been destined to the crematorium. When my grandfather had left the camp he weighed 83Lb. A grown man whose life were not valued because of his Jewish descent.
My grandfather had chosen to stay silent. God knows what nightmares had flooded his nights every day. God knows what sights had reemerged in front of his eyes every time he was slipping away into daydreaming. Still he had chosen to stay silent. He had chosen to keep his perpetual smile on and to always have some chocolate in his pocket to hand over to children at the park.
By reading “Night” my grandfather’s silence has been broken for the first time. I am overwhelmed with grief and sorrow and with rage.
The author of “Night”, Elie Wiesel has received the Nobel prize for peace and said we must not be indifferent for the suffering of other human beings. We must not be neutral, as being neutral only serves the oppressors. We must never forget and take a pledge upon us: “NO MORE”.
This book isn’t easy to read. It is more difficult when you know and understand it isn’t fiction but a document of recent history. It is unbearable when you know you are reading about what your own grandfather had gone through.
This inspiration prompt might burden on your day, I am sorry. Nevertheless, I strongly believe it is important to get inspired by awful memories as well. A memory of an horror that has recently occurred might keep humanity from re-occurrences…
Let us pray together a simple prayer: “Our Lord, Please, No More“.
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If you want to share your feelings and thoughts with me, I’ll love to lend an attentive ear and a supporting shoulder, just leave a comment on this post and share.
Tags: commemoration, Holocaust, Holocaust Memorial Day, Inspiration, Inspiration prompt
There is a small holocaust memorial on a cornier in Baltimore. I used to drive by it on my way home from work. It was engraved with the words,”Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” My late father used to say that all the time. It is an important lesson, and one that my own children I hope will always remember. Blessings on your late grandfather.
Thank you for sharing, Laina. Remembering is very important and sadly the lesson has not been learned all throughout the world and killing or disrespecting people because of their descent has been repeated. This is why Elie Wiesel said, on the Noble Prize ceremony, that we all have an active duty in saying “NO MORE”. A duty which transcends the mere remembrance.
amen ! and let us make this world a better place for all people, so NO MORE will never happen. it is up to us.
It IS up to US. Each individual can make an oath for no more suffering of any person living. Together we can make a more tolerant and more humane collective.
Dear Avital,
Our 27 year old son Donny, told my husband and I about this book, four years ago. He said, Parental this is a must read. And so we did. And now it is part of our family library, for generations to come to read and learn as well.
We are Christian, we are Mormons, but our hearts are eching for the suffering of our brothers and sisters of the Jewish faith.
May Father in Heaven bless you and your family, always.
Chris and Graciela Hansen
Thank you so much, dear Garciela. It is important that people recognize the global importance of this remembrance day. Remembering the horrid past, regardless of your faith and descent, means you believe that NO ONE should be suffering. You believe in the notion of “NO MORE”. Be it the 6 millions Jewish people who died during the holocaust or the hundreds of thousands who die in Sudan. Every person alive deserves to live without suffering.
Thank you again. I wish there were many people like you and your family in the world.
I join you and pray: May father in heaven bless you and your family always.
My dear, I send you a big hug!
My grandparents also survived the Holocaust, but my gradfather told us the stories. How their mother didn’t want to leave and died, how his older brother saw his young brother get shot to death in the woods, how from a family of 11 children only 4 survived (some were already married and died with their chikdren)and many many more.
But with that he always told us how he won. He, who lost so much of his family, now have 10 grandchildren and 7 great-grandsons.
So – NO MORE!!
Thank you for this post.
Thank you so much, Chen. I send you a warm hug back.
My grandfather remained silent because he believed that his family is his victory and he wanted to concentrate on his victory. Though I know he was haunted by his memories every living day of his.
We rarely understand our forebearers and the trials and tribulations that make them what they are. Your grandfather was a very brave man and had the ultimate victory in still being able to build a new and happy life for himself and his new family. Your account made it very personal and so even more moving. May you continue to enjoy the life he helped to give you – the best memorial he could hope for. And, we must never forget nor brush aside the horrendous things that are still going on today.
Thank you so much for your kind words. I really appreciate your support 🙂
Wow, what a lotta goosebumps you gave me there. Very good post. Wiesel is SO right, looking away or ignoring does not serve anybody but always the wrong people. I’ve been to Buchenwald several times and some other KZs, too. These are very scary places indeed, it always feels absolutely strange to know about the things that happened in the very place you’re standing or looking at. Anyway, I just wanted to stop and comment so that you know I’ve read and very much appreciated your post.
Many Greetings from Germany
Nina
Vielen Dank, Nina!
Thanks for use my pic. I’m so honored.
Thank YOU!