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.