Yesterday, in the torrents of rain, my sister in law and I went to see the Anne Frank exhibit in New York City. The exhibit is an immersion of sorts as we were transported back in time to WWII and all that the Frank family was forced to horrifically endure in Germany, Amsterdam, and then Auschwitz (Poland) and finally Bergen-Belsen (Germany).

The exhibit was incredibly powerful—both heartbreaking and deeply moving. It was a strong reminder of the resilience of the human spirit in the face of the unimaginable. Walking through her story was an emotional journey that left me in awe of her and her family’s courage and so sad for the reality of what they endured. There is a picture at the end of the exhibit of Otto Frank, Anne’s father, standing alone in the attic where his family hid for over two years, a few hours before the Anne Frank House opened to the public—I could feel that picture, the weight of it made my heart ache.

It’s Anne Frank’s diary that lived on. It has been translated into 70 languages, it’s been made into a Broadway show and a movie. It won an Oscar. Anne Frank is OUR strong reminder of the resilience of the human spirit. Whatever your challenge is right now, I want you to remember how strong and resilient you are. Don’t sink to the challenge or let it define you—lean into your strengths and rise above it.

With gratitude for the lessons—thank you, Anne.
Beth

P.S. Go see the exhibit.