This was the most powerful session, we were all greatly moved by this great woman’s courage,stature and unshakeable spirit. Her words hung in the air,and we all listened intently as she relived her moments in nazi concentration camps. Despite her conflicted and painful past,Miriam still smiles and she ended the session by telling us to remain good to one another and to others-she told us that despite the atrocities she faced she still believes in the human spirit. She gave us an analogy of this by saying that even in the depths of darkness there is still a glimmer of light-and that despite the overwhelming darkness she still chooses to believe in the light.
Last year, I read a book called “Man’s search for meaning’ written by another Holocaust survivor -Dr.Viktor Frankl, in his book he famously states that “Suffering in and of itself means nothing,its how we respond to that suffering that gives it meaning” ….he then seeks to define what life is meant to mean,when everything that classifies you as a human being is stripped away from you,he answers and says that it is the idea of purposefulness that gives meaning to our existence. Miriam epitomised this for me, I was angry at how no one could’ve stopped the inhumane practices at concentration camps, I was angry at how those who committed these crimes never felt the full arm of the law…but Miriam told me not to hoard any hatred towards any man as this poisons the soul and alienates one from humanity, she made me promise to do good,and be good not only for me but for our world.
Despite her pain-Miriam gave me hope,we all have our struggles,but they shouldn’t define us,we can rise above them and change the world by showing others a generosity of spirit.