The Diary of Anne Frank, Exerpt
Thirteen-year-old Anne Frank, from her hiding place in an attic annex, wrote beautifully about the solace that can be found in nature. Her optimism, and her descriptions of the world’s innate beauty, are inspiring as we hold on a few more days for spring.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, journalists and thinkers have cautioned that we take care in comparing Anne Frank’s experience to our own, for critically important reasons. In this post we wish only to highlight the optimism and resilience of this remarkable 13 year old girl.
The Diary of Anne Frank, Excerpt*
I wonder if it’s because I haven’t been able to poke my nose outside for so long that I’ve become so crazy for everything to do with nature.
Nearly every morning I go to the attic, and from my favorite spot on the floor, I look up at the sky, and the bare chestnut tree, on whose branches little raindrops glisten like silver. And at the seagulls as they glide on the wind.
As long as this exists, and I may live to see it, this sunshine, these cloudless skies, while this lasts I cannot be unhappy.
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 long 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.
Watch Audrey Hepburn read this excerpt aloud beautifully