Anne Frank Remembered

I had watched the movie but had never read the book.  Finally, just recently I ordered the paperback from Amazon.  Usually, a book is so much more detailed and absorbing than the movie.  This book was no different.

But as most of us know, Anne's story did not have a happy ending.

Throughout Anne's writings, she made mention of a couple,  Miep Gies and Henk who were often visiting Anne and her family in the Annex and bringing them food and gifts.  Anne Frank Remembered is Miep Gies story.  

Tonight I will finish it.  It is haunting and troubling as it takes the reader through those awful days of Hitler's attempt to destroy all Jews.  But it is a story of friendship and hope, as Miep helps the Frank family and others who were hiding out in those troubling times.  If you have read Anne Frank's Diary, you need to read Miep's book Anne Frank Remembered.    You can get it here HERE on Amazon.

I WON

Rissi is loving Pre K.  I can't believe she's started school already.  Her baby sister should be here by the holidays (early Dec.)...  so we'll have a new angel to spoil while she's busy growing up...  *insert sad face here*

Good news!!!

I won a book in Theresa's blog giveaway!  I very rarely win anything, so you can imagine my surprise to find out I won.

Today I got mail!  (below)  I smudged the addresses out of respect for Theresa and her privacy.

Let me tell you a little about Theresa..  She is a lovely person who has a beautiful family, and a nephew Justin who serves in Afghanistan.  Theresa remembers him in each and every post and lets Justin know that she is praying for him.  

James 5:16 The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

If you think of it, shoot a prayer up for this fine young man who is serving our country.  He is loved and missed by his family.  And you might want to visit
the beautiful heart, Theresa at

http://theycallmeganky.blogspot.com/

Now let me just say I was thrilled to win this book!!  I love reading memoir, and this girls story really tugged at my heartstrings.  I know I'll cry.  A lot.

I was expecting the book...  but what I was not expecting was the pretty gift wrap...  Theresa, you are so sweet!!  I mean it!

I'm finishing up another memoir (Come To The Edge) right now, and I'm a pretty slow reader..  but I'm thinking by the time I go on vacation in a few weeks, I'll be ready to start my new book.  To me, this is just icing on my vacation cake!

And my daughter Lindsey has already put her request in to read this book after I'm finished.  Theresa, you have made mom and daughter very happy! Thank you so much!

Everyone Has A Story

Books

I finally finished the book I was reading.  

It's not like I don't have any time on my hands.

 I love a good memoir, and this was one.

I'm not sure why I prefer reading memoir.  I guess I enjoy getting to know people, and how they lived and what made them who they are today.  I like lighthearted stories... ones that are fun and witty - A slice of life.  

Everyone has a story.  

So now, where do I go from here? 

 Finishing a good book is great... 

but then there's the task of finding an 

equally good one to move on to.

Any suggestions?

Getting Lost In A Book

SCENE1: Curtain opens.  Four girls sit before a fireplace. 

JO: (Slamming the book closed.) Christmas won’t be Christmas without any presents! 

AMY: I don’t think it’s fair for other girls to have pretty things, and we shall have nothing at all.

I swallowed hard and tried not to think about the thing that frightened me the most – beyond the dusty stage floor where I stood with my sixth grade counterparts- and into the stale school smell.  Though the small musty cafeteria turned auditorium was dark, I knew the audience was out there… and my line was next.  I hoped they couldn't hear my teeth chattering or the squeak in my voice.

BETH: We’ve got Father and Mother and each other.


I did it!  I made it through my first line without fainting and I actually remembered my lines. 

It was a triumphant year as I faced my stage fright  head-on, and following the grade school performance  the magic of Santa filled the auditorium as he handed out an orange and box of candy to each student.  It was important to act fast when telling him what we wanted under our tree... there were many children waiting their turn.  I went along, and asked for a new pair of shoes, even though I was strongly suspicious that Santa was not real, and that our parents were the real Santa's.  


It was bittersweet, being old enough to know the truth. Letting go of the magic left a sadness that would live in my heart forever.  I wanted to believe that life was magical and innocence commonplace.  Growing up is something we wish for when we're young and detest when we're old.  


That Christmas I would receive the one thing that would shape my life from there-on-out.  My Grandma arrived at our house shortly after noon with her bag of presents.  It was something we always looked forward to, all six of us kids.  We'd already tore open the Santa  stash, and we couldn't wait to dig in to Grandma's presents next.  


"Wow, a book!" I said.  Then I began paging through...  I couldn't put it down.  


"Christmas won't be Christmas without any presents," grumbled Jo, lying on the rug.  


And so began part two of my magical, mystical escape from life.  Getting lost in a book is like being in a time machine, taking you to another place somewhere in time.  You feel what others feel, see what others see and are involved in whatever is happening on that page.  

May your Christmas be magical.  May your heart be light.  To all my blogging buddies:  I wish for you safety, good health, love, happiness, joy, and a wonderful and blessed Christmas.  Thank you for giving me the opportunity to come into your lives by reading your blogs, to see, experience and feel what you feel.  Knowing you has made my life better.

These very old videos I found on YouTube are some of the magic from my childhood days.  They take me back... to a simpler time...  Enjoy.