Anne Frank - The Diary of a Young Girl : Edited by Otto H. Frank & Mirjam Pressler

Anyone who is interested in reading would have heard of Anne Frank and her diary. She wanted to name it 'The Secret Annexe'; to give it a feel of a detective novel.  It is said to be the single most poignant true-life story to emerge from the Second world war. 

In July 1942, When Anne Frank was 13 years, she and her family were forced to go into hiding, in an Amsterdam warehouse to flee from the horrors of the Nazi occupation. There were eight people in the Annexe - The Frank family of four - Father, mother and two daughters - of them Father Otto H. Frank survived and lived to share the message of daughters dairy to the world. Mother Edith Frank and two sisters Mrgot and Anne along with Albert Dussel and Van family members became the victims and would not survive after their arrest on 4th August 1944 and  taken to prison and transferred to camps. Two of the helpers, Victor Kugler and Johannes Kleiman were arrested but then released. Miep Gies and Elisabeth (Bep) were safe. While in Annexe, Anne writes her thoughts and experiences,  in a diary, which she received on her birthday on 12th June 1942, and called the Diary Kitty. In that she mentions, "I hope I will be able to confide everything to you, as I have never been able to confide in anyone, and I hope you will be a great source of comfort and support. "

She is amused as to how odd it is that the grown-ups quarrel so easily and so often about petty things, as she had thought bickering was just something children did and they outgrew it. She expresses her longing for trust, love and physical affection, which change in intensity, but is always there. Two years into hiding, she describes the daily rituals, how they have changed, the food habits and life style, their cat, and her love for Peter - Van's son.  It makes her shiver to think of the dull, distant drone that signified the approaching destruction. But they do have dreams of what they would do when they are out, Anne wants to have a home of her own, move about freely and go back to school.  She had complains about almost every one, including her mother, and then realise it is because of her mood that kept her head under water and allowed her to see things only from her perspective. without calmly considering  the others. Going underground or into hiding has become a routine, with many resistance groups providing with forged identity cards, financial support, organizing hiding places and finding work to those going underground. It's amazing how much generous and unselfish people do, risking their own lives to help and save others. Germany was ready to flood the country if needed to defend herself from Britain. Sunshine and cloudless sky makes her feel happy, and she feels that nature can bring comfort to all who suffer, unlike her mother, who thinks about those who suffer more than them. She things that if we become part of suffering, we will be completely lost. Beauty remains even in misfortune. If you look for it, you can find happiness and regain balance. 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. Everyone has to decide for himself how to get the better of his own mood! Everyday you hear 'If only it were all over', and she writes:

                    Work, love, courage and hope,

                    Make me good and help me cope!

Sometimes she wish they would not be in hiding and be dead. Nothing is more crushing than the anxiety. so they preferred to see the end, however cruel, which would help them to know if they would be victors or the vanquished. They had to be brave to endure the many fears and hardships and the sufferings yet to come. She feels the sufferings of the millions, and yet the sky, make her feel that everything will change for better, cruelty too will end, and peace and tranquility will return once more. 

She feels that she is "A bundle of contradictions" - with two self - one known to the outside, one that is inside. 

She wanted to be useful and bring enjoyment to all people, even those she has never met, and go on leaving even after her death and was grateful for her gift of writing, that enabled her to express what was inside her. Though she was no more, her father did fulfil this wish of hers. 

Take care. Auf wiederhoren - Until we speak again.