Alice Hertz Sommer, whose life is the subject of a documentary that's been nominated for an Academy Award, was saved from the gas chambers because the Nazis loved her music.
Until her death at 110, Alice played classical music on her piano each day in her small flat for two and a half hours. She became known as “The Lady in Number 6."
Born in Prague in 1903, Alice’s entire family was rounded up by the Nazis and sent to concentration camps. “I know about the bad,” she says, “but I look only at the good.”
Her mother and husband died in the camps. Alice spent two years sleeping on a floor every night with her young son, who was five when they came face to face with their potential exterminators. She didn’t want her son to worry or be afraid so every day she chose to find good things they could enjoy. Most of the time she was the only one laughing. She felt it was important that her son hear her laughter then he wouldn’t be afraid.
She said, “It is good not to forget, of course. There were terrible times in history. In the whole, people don’t learn. What did I learn? I learned to be thankful for everything, for seeing the sun, seeing a smile, a nice word from somebody. I learned to be thankful for everything.”
We think it’s impossible to be thankful in adverse circumstances. But, Alice Hertz Sommer teaches us that we can find hope and optimism in the bleakest of times.
God has filled the world with beauty. Will you allow one tiny sliver of that beauty to penetrate your soul today? If you do, your thoughts will fill with the same optimism and hope that Alice Sommer experienced.
God's plan for you is that your life be filled with joy.
Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live. I Thessalonians 5:17,18
"There are so many things that happen to us that could embitter. But Jesus sets the example. Facing a horrible death, which He did not deserve, He nevertheless gave thanks. How could we do less in our hour of trial? Giving thanks in all things is not easy. It's hard -- at times, seemingly impossible. But gratitude must grow in our hearts or bitterness will take root and destroy us." George O. Wood
Rose McCormick Brandon has two blogs: The Promise of Home for Stories of British Home Children and Listening to my Hair Grow for thoughts on faith. Her book, One Good Word Makes all the Difference, is available here.
4 comments:
Thank you Rose for sharing this heartwarming story of triumph and courage springing forth from tragedy and evil. Great spiritual and faith application, too! ~~+~~
This woman has lived her life as an inspiration to those in her small circle. Interesting that, late in life, she influenced a much larger circle.
a very powerful story - reminiscent of Corrie Ten Boom
Rose. A lovely, inspiring post with a giant life lesson. What a blessing this woman was to her son and others, I imagine! Great post.
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