While on a long car ride, I decide to listen to the radio to break the monotony. I randomly choose a station and hear a narrator talking about Anne Frank. It dawns on me that he is discussing her 50th anniversary of death in March. The media is capitalizing on this story, although many of us already feel well-informed about the Holocaust from books and movies, like Schindler’s List.
A compassionate and sorrowful voice on the radio reads portions of Anne Frank’s diary, intertwining their own thoughts. It is truly moving to hear the feelings, dreams, thoughts, and encounters of a young girl during her concealed existence. This becomes even more impactful as we consider the heartbreaking destiny that awaits her at such a delicate stage.
The story of Anne Frank holds personal significance for me due to a strong connection I have with it. It serves as a reminder of a childhood friend who, like Anne, tragically did not survive World War II and passed away at the age of 12. When I listen to excerpts from Anne’s diary, it brings back memories of my own experiences during the war. Similar to Anne, my older sister, mother, and I went into hiding. We faced arguments, misunderstandings, and were confined indoors for around two-and-a-half years. I deeply connect with Anne’s thoughts and emotions. Throughout the war, I yearned for my lost freedom and struggled to understand why people held such hostility when deep inside me lay faith in humanity’s inherent goodness. However, unlike Anne, I was unable to document my journey through a diary due to the lack of writing materials.
Despite our savior’s illiteracy, she made an effort to obtain books and materials cautiously. Fortunately, my mother and sister provided us with love and support. We managed to find amusement through storytelling from my mother’s experiences and engaging in meaningful conversations about our aspirations, anxieties, and desires. Additionally, we delighted in playing our beloved game of questioning one another.
