My grandmother was an elementary school teacher and one day when I was at her house being "bored" she handed me a book called "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom.
I was hooked.
Listening to my grand's talk about how they lived during WWII was fascinating to me.
I had a life of comfort, I had food, we had a car with tires, I was not in hiding, I did not live in fear.
My grandmother gave birth to my mother in August of 1941. The thought of having a 4 month old baby and your country goes to war is beyond me. Then knowing those young men in your small community headed to war--would they return?
This all astounded me.
My grandmother told me about this time in her life and she was so grateful to be living on a farm in Idaho. They had food!
So any and all books, documentaries, and movies about this period of time becomes a thing I have to read, watch, digest.
I feel a sense of obligation to read what these people went through, everything from the Pacific fight to the African desert to the Holocaust.
My life is so full...am I grateful enough, do I treat others with respect, would I have what it took to live during this period of time, could I risk my life by hiding some one?
No, I do not think I would have had what it took to do some of the things brave people did during that time period.
I am so Thankful I live here and now. Even if it feels so uncertain at times.
These are some of my thoughts on this day, one of the days that will live in infamy.
Today, December 7, is always a good day for me to reflect on my life, my freedoms and the comforts I enjoy in my life.
I have so many things to be grateful and thankful for!
Enjoy your day,
Barb
What a lovely story... thanks so much for the invite to your blog Barb.... You are a wonderful writer.. Look forward to reading more... Hope your day is wonderful!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing with and reminding us Barb! My grandmother was English and lived in Norfolk during the World War II. She told me of taking in London children, black out curtains and want. We are so lucky today!
ReplyDeleteThanks for this reminder Barb. It's so good that your children are learning this in school. I didn't really pay attention to history when I was in school, but am now learning everything better than I did then. I think that's how it goes for a lot of people. I watch the History channel and always imagine what those poor people went through and compare it to today and how easy we have it.
ReplyDeleteHugs~Carol
I have read that book also!! It was amazing what they did and how the hid in the hiding place in the wall! I also watch and read anything I can on this time in our history. I had an uncle at Pearl Harbor, but he didn't talk much about it. Thanks for sharing this story.
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