To live in post-World War II Germany was both exhilarating and troubling for me as an American teenager. Around every corner were new discoveries, some joyous, others sobering.
Anne Frank's House in Amsterdam.
While my father’s job there in the 1960s had a grim purpose, my parents vowed to enrich our time with as many experiences as possible. Weekends in Paris, skiing in Austria, and exploring German castles were typical family outings, but our favorite getaway was nearby Holland. During a trip to Amsterdam, which was planned to include nothing more serious than blooming tulips, I learned that the home of Anne Frank had recently opened to the public. My father agreed we should visit.
The story of the Frank family is widely known—as Jews, they were forced into hiding in cramped quarters until their ultimate betrayal and discovery by the Nazis. Anne’s courage never flagged in that dismal time as, like me, she covered her walls with photos of film stars and dreamed of becoming a writer. Her spirit stirred me that day and shaped my way of viewing the world as not simply places to see things, but as opportunities to embrace people.
My family was among the first visitors to Anne Frank house as it had just opened to the public the week we were there. Mr. Frank himself greeted visitors at that time and my father took a photo of my mother, brothers, and me with him. Sadly, those old family photos are long gone.
Being there over fifty years ago had a profound effect on me. It was still post-war Europe and those terrible days were still vivid in the minds of many people, especially in Holland and France. There were entire blocks of the city in Germany where we lived that remained bombed-out shells. It was quite sobering to us Americans when we passed them daily on the way to school.
A statue of Anne marks this historical spot.
As I travel the globe, I’m touched by the little things we do to comfort one another, like the teenage girl in a Stockholm café who kindly shared her throat lozenges with an aging American woman in distress. Take time to see the tulips in your travels, but don’t overlook the people who so lovingly planted them.
My cousin recommended this blog and she was totally right keep up the fantastic work!
Linda, I visited the Anne Frank house about eight years ago. Every room was so sad that it made me want to cry, even though I have seen many film and TV versions of her story. Last winter yet another version was aired on British TV and it brought back memories, as did your article. Well written. Thank you, Linda.
Linda thanks for sharing such a great experience with us readers, and dreamers. My husband and I hope to cruise to Holland some day. We are saving now!
I, too visited the Anne Frank house this past spring. It truly reminds one of sad days of the War but also reminds us of the courage and love of neighbor…to help protect our neighbor whomever they may be. “Love thy neighbor and it will be well with thee…”
I like your column and I enjoyed your sharing of memories.
I came back to England as a young man in the sixties to see my birth country then went to Holland for a week or so and was amazed at the friendship shown me as more than a tourist but a member of a country that helped liberate them. Those tulips sent to us each year are their reminder that we all share in this world community and the young teenager as you describe are the ones who are beautiful. You never know in the hustle who will stop and say Hello, welcome.
Hello Linda,
I was lucky enough to visit Amsterdam as a child on a school cruise around Europe, when I was old enough to travel by myself I spent a month mainly in Holland and was struck by how helpfull the Dutch were to traveller, speaking to many of the older people I met they had suffered so much but had amazing storries to tell.
yours Shogun
Thank you for a wonderfully well thought out piece of journalism. I’ve seen the original Hollywood film many times. I hope to visit Anne’s house one day.
Hello Linda. It’s true, the places you visit leave you great memories, but the people you meet in those places make even more great and long-lasting memories.
Linda, I’ve visited Anne Frank’s house and agree this is an important and moving experience when visiting Amsterdam. Thanks for sharing your story.