A Must Read....

I read another memoir from the Holocaust tonight. Yes, just tonight. Started at 9pm and finished at 3am. 6 hours of my time well spent; I couldn't put it down. Every memoir I have come across from the Holocaust period has been so different, yet so painfully similiar. Every story brings its own unique surge of feelings that pour into my heart and leave me teeming with emotion. This particular book is called "The Children of Willesden Lane," by Mona Golabek and Lee Cohen. Never have I been so aroused and awakened by music; and this from a book! The story painted the most beautiful images of how music can move the soul and take us to another place in time. The main character is a pianist who pours herself into her music as it becomes an encapsulating release for all of the emotions and experiences she felt throughout her life leading right up to the end of the war and after. Again I am filled with a quiet and humble appreciation for what I have. Once again I am reminded that there is always hope and reason to move forward in life if only we will hold on with every ounce of strength we can muster to even the tiniest spark. It's heart wrenching to think of the multitudes of people who did not survive the war, to hear some of their stories, and to hear of the wretched treatment of fellow human beings. This book however shed light on the possibility of finding joy even in the face of the death of dearly loved ones by knowing that from where they are now they are surely smiling down on those who live on; proud and forever alive in their hearts.
I could almost hear the chorus of voices all around me as I finished the book shouting, "We survived! We survived! If you ever feel that you are suffering alone think of us! Take heart and remember that you never suffer alone! It's not possible when you can recall the lives of so many others that have suffered before you!" I'm going to steal a line now from the movie We Are Marshall....."Out of the ashes we will rise again!"
So take heart! We have a legacy to pass down to future generations. A legacy of love, compassion, hope, persistence, and never giving up.

A song, because there's a first time for everything

Hadn't heard from you in awhile
You crossed my mind I started to smile
I used to love to make you laugh
But those times have passed

Out of the blue I heard from you
"Do you wanna meet?" I think I do
I am anxious all over again
You were always a special friend

As soon as I see your face
I can feel my heart start to race
But when we start to talk
I can see that you have changed

Now I can see it's not just you
There's been some change in my life too
I guess it was never meant to be
Any more than this

You should know
that I held some hope
But I've finally let go
While holding on
To this dream
I've not been true to me

My heart might ache from time to time
Then I'll put you out of my mind
No more living in the past
I'm letting go of looking back

Tonight...

Tonight I feel like crying
For seemingly no reason at all
Then I recall faces of friends
And I recall the face of my Grandmother
Now I know why
There are many things I don't miss about the move
Ah, but some people I miss dearly
I want to work on embroidering my owl
Then I think of my Grandma
And I'd rather not
I wish I was working on it while sitting in the recliner next to hers
Visiting
Watching Wheel of Fortune or Jeopardy
Sipping coffee
Making memories
Of all the people I miss, I'm sure I miss her the most
I would love to put her groceries away for her again
Trudge downstairs to wash all of her laundry
Pick up her dinner
Or just give her a hug