- Resiliency: I have seen this countless times on this journey, in the Polin Museum and seeing how the people of Poland both Jews and Non-Jews have endured centuries of change, invasion and upheaval-even when they were not their own independent country. Hearing Hedy share the stories of her father, she said he once referred to the tattoo on his arm as his mistresses’ phone number. I wonder how I would have reacted to seeing my brother return to the square or would I have attempted to throw a shirt over the fence for my father. To endure all he endured and still have his sense of humanity is inspiring.
- Weather: We have visited four places where the weather has played a role:
- Treblinka- the wind was a simple breeze gently swaying the treetops as if it knew we were there to reflect and remember.
- Kazimierz Dolny- The top of the hill by the tower where we were having a reflection session, as we were asked to reflect silently the wind just blew around us and provided a cooling breeze to provide some respite after walking up the hill.
- Majdanek- the wind again but this time it was violent and powerful during our
prayer service. I feel as if it knew what occurred in those fields and was acting as
a reminder for us to stand up to and confront injustice and hate. - Auschwitz- the grey clouds and ominous skies threatening to rain at any time.
Letting us know that through all the pain and suffering- there is still good in us.
- Victory: The panel presentation by our five second generation survivors show that the victory was not only over the Nazi’s but also over death, to raise children that are dedicated to sharing the stories of their families so others can become better people.
- Shaving: how the simple advice from a father to son to shave every day allowed him to maintain his humanity during the most inhuman times.
- Beauty: I have seen and heard so many beautiful things so far, the cities with their architecture and streets. Songs both sung and, on the violin, yet the one thing that I may remember the most was a single white flower growing on the side of the burn pit at Treblinka!
Final thought: That flower to me represents the many things that we all can share as
we return to our classrooms to educate the next generation.