Dear Anne Frank,

As I’ve said before, after reading your diary years ago, I felt close to you. I could say that you are the reason I began my love for non-fiction books (and writing in diaries). In my opinion, as much as reality hurts sometimes, it is far better than some sugar-coated fiction. I love hearing about real stories – where people have struggled through the pain to get to where they are today, living a much better life than yesterday. Stuff like that.

Regardless of the horror you were going through, you continued to write and document life truthfully how it was and, not only life living in the Holocaust but also feelings of yourself, but those around you and life in general.

You were a writer with [some] thoughts way beyond your years. You wanted to keep on living even after you died, and guess what? You did. These are the things I find myself wanting, too.

Throughout my years, I have always gone on to learn more and more about the Holocaust. I always find myself learning more.

At the museum shop, I bought a post card, a necklace with “O” for circle of love and Jewish symbol glass heart… all in honor of and memory of those who died as well as a backpack bag with this on it:

 “The next time you witness hatred. The next time you see injustice. The next time you hear about genocide. THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU SAW.”

Your friend,
Karen-Maeby

"I want to go on living even after my death! And therefore I am grateful to G-d for this gift, this possibility of developing myself and of writing, of expressing all that is in me. I can shake off everything if I write; my sorrows disappear; my courage is reborn. But, and that is the great question, will I ever be able to write anything great, will I ever become a journalist or a writer?" 
— Anne Frank (The Diary of a Young Girl)

Dear Anne Frank,

We weren’t originally planning on going to the Native American Museum, it was just on the other side of the Air & Space Museum where we were going next.

As soon as I walked in and we started walking thru the exhibits, some things started making more sense. There were more moments of “wow –that is why I have such a connection there.”

Let me back up here, though, I must mention that both sides of my family have Indian ancestors. So, it’s apparent Indian-nature is thickly embedded in my blood.

I had taken a Native American Literature class in fall 2004, my first semester of college. When I was in that class not only did all of the stories, literature, poems and lectures make sense to a point where in connected with my soul *BUT* I also was able to look so deep within myself to create deep soul poetry, writings and thoughts. It did me wonders. But after a while of being out of that class, I stopped having deep-soul conversations with myself that would help my heart heal of whatever was needed.

Now that I’ve gone on forever yapping about how that very class changed my thoughts, it’s time to relate to the museum.

Here are a few quotes (a few in pictures) that struck me and made me think a little.

“Water is life….”

“The beginning of life lies in the south. Yellow is the color of the south, the color of seeds, water, maternity, and birth. Just as air comes from the north, so it blows to the south. The south also symbolizes the beginning of people’s connections to nature and to one another.” – Community Curators

“Our lives revolve around the seasons…”

(The photo directly above) Guess what folks? That’s me!!!! I find comfort in the arms of large bodies of water. I go to the lake to think and write. My thoughts feel free when writing in the sun with water around me.

After seeing majority of those quotes, we walked past this grave picture (above). I sometimes, as creepy as this sounds, find comfort in going to graves  and walking around, taking pictures. The older the graveyard, the better. I even did that sort of thing when I spent Thanksgiving alone when Dan was at work.

I’m beginning to think this is indeed my Indian “journey” to finding me. But, then again, everyone lives life and they have to figure out the same thing. But more so, others than some.

Your friend,
Karen-Maeby

"The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quite alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature. As longs as this exists, and it certainly always will, I know that then there will always be comfort for every sorrow, whatever the circumstances may be. And I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles." 
— Anne Frank (Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl) 

Dear Anne Frank,

Before I completely wrap up my trip, I must mention that I live my life thoroughly by signs, metaphors and symbols. Most of my life I have questioned everything. Why this? Why that? You should do this – but why? You should really think about that before you do that – but why?

To me, life seems to be a big mystery that needs to be questioned. Along the way, there are clues – there are always clues (or signs) but you just have to look for them. You are your own investigator of your life. Life is the game, but you are clearly the “Clue” master at hand.

The game of Chess could also be related to life. One move, one bad move and it’s game over. One good move and it could possibly be a winning streak.

Most people would not like to live this way, you know, always looking for answers.  

It wasn’t until 3 years ago that I really even started living life. I finally got out on my own, started REALLY experiencing the adult life. Even through the tough times, I like it so much. I would never want to go back to being a kid, as many wish to do.

I had always sat in the sidelines. While I sat there without change, the world was changing and moving on…without me. I was stuck in the past while calendar dates were being stolen by Mr. Time. I didn’t want that anymore, so I took charge. That might be the reason why I am addicted to change now.

I think mostly I do it for my stories. If anything else, I just want the information, the answers, in my hand – and quick! It serves some self purpose to be like “ah-hah, I’m so glad this worked out (or didn’t) because now ‘this’ has happened and ‘this’ wouldn’t have happened otherwise.”

But the thoughts inside my mind tells me I shouldn’t do this or that or even question it. I am my own contradiction. I may seem to say one thing but mean another. I never even know about me sometimes.

I am such a complicated person that no one, including me, will ever figure out. The end.

Your friend, 
Karen-Maeby

" Ever since I was a little girl and could barely talk, the word 'why' has lived and grown along with me. It's a well-known fact that children ask questions about anything and everything, since almost everything is new to them. That is especially true of me, and not just as a child. Even when I was older, I couldn't stop asking questions. 
I have to admit that it can be annoying sometimes, but I comfort myself with the thought that "You won't know until you ask," though by now I've asked so much that they ought to have made me a professor. 
When I got older, I noticed that not all questions can be asked and that many whys can never be answered. As a result, I tried to work things out for myself by mulling over my own questions. And I came to the important discovery that questions which you either can't or shouldn't ask in public, or questions which you can't put into words, can easily be solved in your own head. So the word 'why' not only taught me to ask, but also to think. And thinking has never hurt anyone. On the contrary, it does us all a world of good." 
— Anne Frank (Anne Frank's Tales from the Secret Annex)