The Diary of Anne Frank

Last summer I found myself in a local book store searching for a gift, when I noticed a border above a rack of books on my way to the check out register.  The banner that grabbed my attention read “Banned Books.”  I immediately marched over to the ostracized titles, some of which I recognized, but there was one of these books along this shelf that made my blood boil at the sight of it on the banned list–a beloved, historical document that has been translated into over 70 languages, making it one of the most widely-read in the world….The Diary of Anne Frank.  

I gave no thought to grabbing a copy for myself as I headed out.  Once at the register, I said to the employee, “Thank you for showcasing banned books.  That’s the reason why I’m buying this one,” as I held Anne’s diary.  She looked at me oddly, unsure how to reply, and that was ok.  I made my feelings known.

If you’re unfamiliar with Anne, let me introduce you….

At the age of 12, Anne, along with her older sister, parents, and other individuals went into hiding in a secret attic annex in a building in Amsterdam during World War II, to escape the brutal regime of Hitler, during the time of the Holocaust.  As part of the targeted, marginalized population, in this case being Jewish, Anne and the others knew that they would surely be sent off to the death camps by the Germans if they did not “disappear.”  During these imprisoned years, Anne wrote in her diary, which was a birthday gift that she received from her family.  For 2 years the family remained hidden until they were betrayed and arrested, and at the age of 15, Anne and the others were placed on the last “cattle car” out of Amsterdam and headed to the Auschwitz concentration camp.  Once there, the family was then forcefully separated and Anne died soon after, as did the rest of her loved ones with the exception of her father, Otto Frank, who survived.  A few years after the war ended, Otto was encouraged to publicly share Anne’s story by publishing her diary which was found by a family friend who had attended to the attic residents and eventually gave it to Otto upon his release from the camp.  Thank God he listened and shared Anne’s heart, mind, and soul with the world.

After I settled on the name for my website, OneForestWorld, I knew that I wanted the quote on my home page to reflect who I was and what I stood for, and without hesitation, I settled on this quote from Anne-”I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles.”

I was first introduced to Anne in middle school English class–the same age she was during the writing of her diary in the Annex.  I didn’t read the full diary, only excerpts as was required.  Being a teen in the early 80s was a stark contrast to one living at ground zero in the war-torn 40s, and Anne’s words didn’t hold the weight for me as they do now.  But like Anne, I loved to write.  I kept 2 diaries during my elementary years, and I recall a moment in high school in the girls locker room during gym class, thinking, “wouldn’t it be great to write the next great American novel?”  Anne also had ambition to be a famous writer and she loved writing short stories, not only diary entries.  Little did she know that soon after her death at age 16, she would become one of the world’s most famous authors, spreading an eternal message of hope and love for humanity.

Despite her cheerful exterior, she struggled deeply with being misunderstood and was highly sensitive with a yearning to be in nature, as she opened her heart to “Kitty” in her diary.  While in confinement and in spite of her inner conflict and pain, she kept her light alive by her tenacity and a deep desire for peace and freedom for all.  Her words were quite prophetic of the times to come, and also timeless in nature.  Here, I’d like to offer you the following passages from Anne’s diary, and allow her to speak for herself….

“I don’t have much in the way of money or worldly possessions, I’m not beautiful, intelligent or clever, but I’m happy, and I intend to stay that way!  I was born happy, I love people, I have a trusting nature, and I’d like everyone else to be happy too.”

Your devoted friend, Anne M. Frank

An empty day, though clear and bright,

Is just as dark as any night.

“Optimists and pessimists–not to mention the realists–air their opinions with unflagging energy, and as with everything else, they’re all certain that they have a monopoly on the truth.  It annoys a certain lady that her spouse has such supreme faith in the British, and a certain husband attacks his wife because of her teasing and disparaging remarks about his beloved nation!

And so it goes from early in the morning to late at night; the funny part is that they never get tired of it.  I’ve just discovered a trick, and the effect is overwhelming, just like pricking someone with a pin and watching them jump.  Here’s how it works:  I start talking about politics.  All it takes is a single question, a word or a sentence, and before you know it, the entire family is involved!”

“I finally realized that I must do my schoolwork to keep from being ignorant, to get on in life, to become a journalist, because that’s what I want!  I know I can write.  A few of my stories are good, my descriptions of the Secret Annex are humorous, much of my diary is vivid and alive, but ... .it remains to be seen whether I really have talent.

“It’s not just my imagination-looking at the sky, the clouds, the moon and the stars really does make me feel calm and hopeful.  It’s much better medicine than valerian or bromide.  Nature makes me feel humble and ready to face every blow with courage!”

“The best remedy for those who are frightened, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere they can be alone, alone with the sky, nature and God.  For then and only then can you feel that everything is as it should be and that God wants people to be happy amid nature’s beauty and simplicity.  As long as this exists, and that should be forever, I know that there will be solace for every sorrow, whatever the circumstances.”, 

“It’s a wonder I haven’t abandoned all my ideals, they seem so absurd and impractical.  Yet I cling to them because I still believe, in spite of everything, that people are truly good at heart.”

“I could spend hours telling you about the suffering the war has brought, but I’d only make myself more miserable.  All we can do is wait, as calmly as possible, for it to end….the whole world is waiting, and many are waiting for death.”

Yours, Anne

I began reading Anne’s diary the day I brought it home.  I was finally going to do it.  I couldn’t even get half way through though, when I became overwhelmed with grief as her words pierced my heart.  I knew me and I knew I had to take a temporary break and I thanked Anne for being patient with me.  I also asked Anne that if it were at all possible, to please send me a sign that she was around, that she heard me–from one writer to another–and I thanked Spirit for having brought her soul into this world.  (I’m in the business of asking for signs-read my older post, Signs and you’ll know why).

Not thinking anymore about it, I gave myself some breathing room.  When my partner returned home that evening, he said he had something interesting to share with me.  He met a man, a stranger, who was new to town and had just arrived, and he needed a ride, and so my partner offered him a lift.  As they chatted in the car, my partner asked the man where he was from as he detected a slight accent, and the man answered, “I’m from Amsterdam.”

I froze.

I couldn’t believe what I had just heard as I held my breath and waited for the rest….

My partner was intrigued and he asked the man, “Where do you suggest I go if I ever get to visit Amsterdam?”  Without missing a beat, the man replied-”You must go to the house of Anne Frank.”  

Upon hearing these words I burst into tears and felt as close to Anne as I would have to a best friend in that moment.  (For the record, my partner had no idea of the impact Anne’s diary had on me as he had no idea I was reading the book).

I love you, Anne Frank.  You are forever with me.

Please, Please, Please…. never forget the atrocities of war and genocide, nor the impact of prejudice, discrimination, the separation of families, and marginalization of those that are perceived as different.  Do not allow Anne Frank’s death to have been for nothing.  And always remember, even though some of us do not realize it, we are brothers and sisters living in a One Forest World….Together.

“We have become not a melting pot but a beautiful mosaic.  Different people, different beliefs, different yearnings, different hopes, different dreams.”

—President Jimmy Carter

Til next we meet in the forest….

Love,

Amanda♥️