Teaching the Holocaust through literature to my 8th grade students always evokes strong emotions, as it should, that reverberate through my daily life. This year we read Night by Elie Wiesel, a haunting and vivid story about an Auschwitz survivor who, despite the horrors he once faced, continues to have faith in humanity while confronting injustice and indifference in the world. In an Oprah Winfrey interview he uses his favorite words, “And yet” forcing my own reflections about what that phrase means. He faced unimaginable evil, and yet still believes in God, in humanity. Thoughts of the 1.5 million innocent children who perished continue to remind me how incredibly lucky I am to come home from work to the smiling faces of my own preschoolers.
At age three, in what was the scariest night of my life, my daughter had a seizure…a moment I relieved for countless nights afterwards. In the two years since after learning she has a seizure disorder I was always grateful “and yet” sad and confused with the struggles our family now faced. Looking back, the uncertainty of her diagnosis was the most difficult moment. Since that time medication has kept seizures under control. “And yet” every time she wakes in the night my heart races. Could it be a seizure? A worrier by nature (or genetics perhaps since I seemed to have inherited this particular trait from my mother), I was once again disheartened two weeks ago to sit across from a doctor to hear another diagnosis. This time, ADHD. I educate myself wondering how these co-existing conditions will manifest themselves as my daughter begins to transition into a formative school year next Fall.
Rather than spending time wondering why this precious little girl can’t seem to cut a break, Elie Wiesel’s favorite phrase reverberates in my mind. I’m determined to be her #1 advocate and be sure she enjoys every advantage available to her. I’m grateful for the comfortable life we were given void of even a fraction of the struggles victims of injustice, past and present, endure. Are there challenges? Of course. “And yet…”
That is an amazing book, I am so glad it is giving you courage at a tough moment. Your little girl is lucky to have such a strong mom.
Ellen-TCMom recently posted..Create the Perfect Valentine’s Day with Your iPad
Thanks Ellen. It really has given some perspective. It is a great book!
cecelia recently posted..Parenting Lessons: How Elie Wiesel Taught Me to Stay Positive
It is so much harder to watch our kids struggles than our own. I know that you are a pillar of strength for your family and just keep repeating your mantra, especially on those rough days. You are a great mom!
Renee recently posted..Visiting the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, AL
This sounds like an amazing book! I’ll have to look for it.
As far as your daughter goes, just keep advocating for her as you say you will and be there for her when she needs you. A daughter really can’t ask for more.
Emilie recently posted..My Husband Can Be Hard to Understand But Easy to Love
I still remember reading this book in AP English and feeling inspired by this incredible man and feeling like my problems (esp as a teen girl) were nothing compared to the horrors he lived through. You are an amazing mother and I’m so sorry for the challenges you’re facing….you are strong and brave and your daughter sees that…
Caryn B recently posted..Bridgit Mendler…On Her Lead Role In The Secret World of Arrietty
I am always saying to my self that in every battles I take “quitting” is not a solution to keep safe.. Its just a simple challenge who take me in a net of success.
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Another excellent resource for understanding the Holocaust is the new book Storming the Tulips. Written by Hannie J. Voyles, a survivor who went to school with Anne Frank, the book is an intimate encounter with history, as told by twenty former students of the 1st Montessori School in Amsterdam. They were children, contemporaries of Anne Frank, and this book is a companion to her Diary of a Young Girl. While Anne’s story describes her sequestered life in the Annex, Storming the Tulips reveals what children on the outside endured—on the streets, in hiding, and in the concentration camps.
Their friends disappeared. Their parents sent them away. They were herded on trains and sent to death camps. They joined the Nazi youth. They hid Jews. They lost their families. They picked the pockets of the dead. They escaped. They dodged bullets. They lived in terror. They starved. They froze. They ate tulip bulbs. They witnessed a massacre. They collected shrapnel. And finally, they welcomed the Liberation. Some lost their families, most lost their homes, but they all lost their innocence as they fought to survive.
Learn more here http://linkshrink.com/3pi
What a great creation, this kind of book will surely bring a positive outlook in life, that no matter what happens life will still go on…
Ann recently posted..Oven repairs Melbourne
I do love collecting and reading inspiring creation like this, there’s no reason to get worry or mad because life is full of color, we need to take all things lively…
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