Post Meeting Excitement!

So Carly and I had our interview with Sarah today. It really was amazing. We arrived at her (gorgeous) house around 2pm and stayed until 5pm. Hearing what was basically her life story was difficult, but very enjoyable. Both Carly and I were excessively excited to find out that even though Sarah has not talked too much to students before she was very open and welcoming and was always prompting us to ask questions. She did not seem at all reluctant to talk about her experiences and she actually laughed quite a bit in nostalgia. Not only that, but boy, was she a hostess! As soon as we walked in she started pouring coffee and asking us if we would like to sample some cake and ice cream - she had a full tea party spread just waiting for us.

While I will not go into detail on the actual interview now (a full summary/transcript-like text will be coming later in the week), there are a few details about it that definitely struck me. One was just how much Sarah seemed to love life. This did not seem like a woman, who had in her teens experienced more persecution than most people experience in their whole life time. She was smiling and happy and often pointing out pictures and talking about the people in them or opening up her glass cabinets to show off her fine crystal and porcelain collectibles. One of the most beautiful figures she had was of an 18th century aristocrat woman drinking coffee and eating cookies while dressed in fine attire with her feet propped upon a cushioned stool. "This is how I like to think of myself" is what Sarah said while I admired it. What a thought! To feel that life has treated you so well.

The other thing that struck me was how much she reminded me of the women in my family. Every few minutes she would say something and I would think "That's exactly what my grandma would say!" or "That's just what my mom is like," or "Wow, I've totally done that before!" How amazing is it that someone who has had a completely different experience from myself could be so relatable?

The final thing that I wish to meditate on is one of the final statements made as Carly and I were being escorted out the door after our almost 3 hour visit. Sarah made the bold and proud statement "I am strong." I find this so great because, first of all, it's so true. Not only is Sarah's Holocaust experience and survival a testament to that, but also her current lifestyle. For her age (which I will not record here for courtesy's sake - besides, you wouldn't believe me anyway) she looks quite fabulous and she keeps an impeccable home. Second of all, I find it wonderful that she is in fact, so bold to proclaim her own strength. From my observations of society, I have come to the conclusion that too often those who deserve recognition and praise do not receive or accept it, and those who do not will most often proclaim their positives. Sarah, on the other hand, is completely honest and deserving in her self praise. This is not to say that she is not humble - quite the opposite in fact - but it is refreshing to hear someone make a statement that demonstrates how well they know themselves. It really is a beautiful thing.