Each year at this time, I feel the extra weight of suffering. On April 29th my dad was liberated from Dachau, and today we honor Yom HaShoah, the day of remembrance for the six million Jewish people who died in the Holocaust. This is a landmark year to honor the anniversary of the liberation at the end of WWII, 75 years ago. Yom HaShoah memorials will be virtual – as this year it intersects with our time of human distancing.
The universe has brought our world to a halt, but we as a people change when we suffer. Now more than ever we must remember survivors’ personal accounts, and we must never forget the life lessons we’re learning as we shelter in place, and the personal accounts from those living through this with us. But it’s at times like these, that I am deeply moved…when I’m connecting with the community to address mankind’s atrocities, to share my dad’s story of liberation, and to always rejoice in acts of kindness.
These times can make us stronger; they can make us better human beings.
This past Saturday night, my husband and I watched an international music event. It was wonderful to feel connected to the world, to see the appreciation for the caregivers, and to experience a new sense of unity as we all face a new reality in our lifetimes. I’m reminded of the greatest generation, the ones who lived through the deprivations of the Great Depression and World War II. They learned frugal habits that lasted a lifetime, they took less for granted…and now I see this happening again.
It’s different, it’s a “pandemic war” that will give way to a major economic shift…how will you change your life going forward?
I’m so grateful that we have running water, electricity, food in our refrigerators, heat & air-conditioning, access to emergency healthcare, the freedom to go outside (staying within our bubble, of course)…the list goes on.
Remember that we are in this together, a beautiful rainbow of colors coming together. Remember to be grateful for this wonderful world, and let’s come back stronger than ever.
