Rummaging through a drawer recently, I found a book someone had lent me years ago. I'd say it was time to return it, but I began reading and did not want to put it down.
Esther Hautzic tells about how her happy childhood was suddenly torn from her on a beautiful first day of summer vacation. Living in what is today known as Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania yet part of Poland in 1942, Russian soldiers came to their door and arrested the family for being capitalists. She had no idea what that meant, but that it was cause to be barbarously herded into cattle cars and taken away. After six weeks of sardine style travelling, they ended up in Siberia, where they were sent to a labor camp in unbeatable cold and harsh conditions. The story is heart-breaking, yet written in a matter-of-fact manner - from a ten year old's perspective, one in which there is always room for hope.
I will be passing this book on to my ten year old granddaughter and others who will read it. You may ask, why I would recommend this kind of reading for today. It is for the simple reason of what I felt while reading it. There is nothing like going to bed at night and realizing how much we have to be thankful for. Giving thanks for a bar of soap, a hot shower, a bed, a pair of boots and a loaf of bread is never so easy as when we realize what we can so easily take for granted.
After five years in exile, the family was given their freedom, only to find that most of those who had not been rounded up on that "beautiful summer morning" had met a tragic death. This family's exile turned out to be their salvation.
9 comments:
I've never heard of that book Anneliese. It sounds like a book worthy of reading since we tend for forget how blessed we are...especially in January.
Thanks for today's book feature. I am now enjoying 'Jesus Calling'...after reading your positive review.
That's a wonderful book - we've owned a copy for years. Funny thing - I just noticed it on my daughter's nightstand. I think I'll read it again!
Thank you for writing about this book...I love reading about things like this because they are true and YES, it makes you thankful for what the Lord has given and how wonderful He takes care of us. I am grateful and will be looking for a copy of this book to read....
Love from NC
Sounds like an inspiring book for sure. We do have so much!
Yes, it is good to be reminded that we have much to be thankful for. I read the "Little House" books by Laura Ingalls Wilder to my children when they were little. I always tried to read the chapter about Christmas as we were approaching Christmas. They were always so amazed at how happy the little girls were with a penny, a tin cup, or a piece of peppermint as their gifts. That was a lesson in gratitude as well!
I believe that it is good for young children to read the truth when it is written in a way that is sympathetic to their age and experience. How else will they know about the truth of the past or the trials of not-so-long-ago? We were in Vilnius some years ago and spent an afternoon in the museum of the occupation - what an eye-opener!
I remember reading that book and thinking how blessed I was to live in Canada. It is so good to remember and to be aware that not everyone has had the same experiences.
I appreciate your reasoning in giving it to your granddaughter. It is so important for them to see just how very much they have to be thankful for. I don't know if I could read it because of it's sadness, but I think it would be important that I did.
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