Self-Made Mom

[Another update: In a cruel twist of fate, a Holocaust survivor died in the shooting rampage on the Virginia Tech campus. Even more reason for me to keep my mouth shut about my “supposed” problems. My heart goes out to the poor people who suffered as a result of this terrible tragedy.]

Today is Holocaust Remembrance Day, and through April 22, the United States will commence Days of Rememberance, our nation’s annual commemoration of victims of the Holocaust.  The United States’ Holocaust Museum has designated “Children in Crisis: Voices of the Holocaust” as its focus for this year’s observance.

Of the more than one million children who died during the Holocaust, only a few first-hand stories lived on.  There is, of course, the unforgettable Anne Frank, who so famously and eloquently articulated her days in hiding during the war before ultimately being sent to her death. I also recently read about another young child, a 13-year-old boy named Petr Ginz, who kept a diary during his days in a Prague ghetto and children’s camp. He didn’t write complaints or fears, but captured the mundane of daily life in a ghetto with a wisdom beyond his years.

For me, the gravity of the Days of Remembrance is magnified by the fact that I actually have a child now.  It makes the Museum’s dedication that much more poignant and scary for me.  That so many children suffered so greatly during World War II amplifies how lucky I am.  I don’t usually get very preachy or sentimental, and if I do, I usually keep it to myself, but I am committed to remembering the Holocaust so that we don’t forget what happened.  And I feel like this is a good outlet for me to help fulfill that promise.

On days like this I remember to ignore silly studies about day care and the like.  I remind myself to stop complaining about trivial things.  To be a little more appreciative for all that I have. To hug my son more and enjoy these precious times of peace and happiness we have together, because we never know what the future may hold. 

So dear readers, I don’t know you that well, and I don’t hear from you often, but I hope that if you like me, or my blog, that you will also try to remember the horrors of the Holocaust and the suffering of children everywhere.  If I can get you to give your son or daughter another kiss or forget about all the things you are annoyed with, even for a moment, I would be deeply appreciative.  So would all my ancestors who weren’t as lucky as us. Thank you for listening.

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Update to this post: upon further reflection, I’ve decided in honor of Days of Remembrance I am not going to complain or be snarky on my blog for a whole week.  I am going to only write about the positive in my life and around me without a trace of sarcasm or cynicism. No bad-mouthing celebrities either. Which means I may not write anything at all for a week. I’m JUST KIDDING! Anyway, here goes…

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