Ravensbruck

For those who know what Ravensbruck is, you know it needs no introduction.  For those who don't, it was a German Concentration Camp during the Holocaust and World War II.  It 'housed' thousands upon thousands of people, primarily women.  Many of those women, as well as thousands of children and men, were murdered there.  

The Radiant Corrie Ten Boom

Two of its inhabitants were sisters, Corrie and Betsie Ten Boom.  They were there because they, being true Christians, bravely chose to hide Jews in their home above a clock shop in the city of Haarlem, Holland.   They were betrayed, arrested and eventually transported to this place, intended to silence them forever.  Corrie's book 'The Hiding Place' can change your life.  In fact, of all the books you could read during your lifetime, this should be one of them.   

Growing up in my beautiful world of sparkles and sunshine, I heard stories of Concentration Camps.  My father, a WWII buff, often read books and watched movies about these places and other significant WWII events.   War torn Germany was so far away from my happy, protected life but I was always drawn to these stories.  My heart often hurt for those who needlessly suffered.  Their lives and families were torn apart because one man's venomous hatred poisoned a nation. 

From childhood, I've felt compelled by the voice within me to make a pilgrimage to one of these places.  I've often felt self-conscious about this.  I'm a happy go-lucky kind of gal.  Why would I ever put myself through that?  Why would I want to go to a place that would remind me of women, mothers just like me who had to watch their children as they were butchered or starved to death; who were violently ripped from their husbands, their best friends, never to see them in this life again?

More than once, people have said to me, "Trishelle, why would YOU want to go somewhere like that?"  It was usually followed by, "I really don't think you could handle such a place."

I'm not really sure what those people meant by that.  The simple truth is that it's not about me.  Even with those voices of dissent, I've felt an ever growing need to pay respects to the Jews, the Gypsies, the Resistance Fighters, ALL the people who lost their lives during the Holocaust.  To live a life refusing to see that evil and hatred could accomplish such a nightmare would be to deny their suffering, even more importantly, their lives.  Perhaps I happen to be one of those people who would be better able to honor and reverence those who died by visiting their resting places. 

About a year ago, He-Man and I were talking about a hypothetical visit to his LDS mission in Great Britain and then visiting both our parents in Germany.  I seriously doubted being able to swing it, especially without our children....who I haven't been so keen on leaving behind (the very thought leaves me imagining worst case scenarios involving toothpaste, small choke-able items and pointy objects.)   I figured, as much as I wanted to go, I couldn't see how it could happened but prayed often for the Lord to provide a way.

In the past few months He has done just that.  He-Man and I will be traveling to England in the coming weeks and then going on to Germany where we will be visiting Ravensbruck.  Even as I type this, my fingers tremble.  I'm scared and anxious.  I know, in my life, I must take the opportunity to do this.  I can not allow my fear and hesitation to enable myself to be ignorant of another's suffering.  I will be a part of the unity that transcends culture and religion to connect with others of God's children and honor their existence.  

In the Hindu culture and often heard in the practice of yoga, there is a word, 'Namaste'.  Its simple, universal truth creates a bond between the giver and the receiver.  It means 'the spirit within me honors the spirit within you'.  I believe such a bond transcends death and can give all who embrace it hope...even in the midst of such depravity.

I will return and report.

Namaste.