Thinking about my family in Poland, and everything my grandparents went through so I could have the life I enjoy today, it's hard not to be grateful for all of the sacrifices made by soldiers, yes, but also everyday people who value humanity enough to risk their lives for others.
I remember my homeopath telling me that children, and even grandchildren, of WWII survivors carry a sadness in them, a memory, of a memory of a memory of a time gone by that was scary, bleak and very, very inhumane.
But even in that inhumanity, in that bleakness, in that living hell, incredible sacrifices were made.
Just this week I watched an unforgettable movie that reminded me of that very notion. Called In Darkness, the movie tells the tale of Leopold Socha, a Polish sewer worker who risked his life, and his familys', to shelter and ultimately save a group of Jews in Lwow by using his knowledge of the city's sewer system.
(Sidenote: Lwow used to be part of Poland but it's now considered part of the Ukraine.)
After watching the movie I decided to do a little research. I started by looking up Mr. Socha, which led to a very interesting topic, and website: The Polish Righteous among the Nations. The Polish Righteous, in short, refers to the thousands of Polish people who were honoured by the State of Israel for saving Jews during the Holocaust.
Growing up, there was a misconception (that was often expressed to me by others) that Poles did little to help their Jewish neighbours during the war when, in fact, Polish citizens have the world's highest count of individuals awarded medals for their bravery, and courage. Hundreds of thousands of Polish people actually concealed and helped save hundreds of thousands of Jews, risking their own lives in the process.
So on this Remembrance Day, let us not forget the sacrifices made by soldiers, medical workers, and even everyday people from WWI to today. Let us also not forget that while there is a lot of anger, hatred and fear in the world there is also a lot of love, beauty and humanity.
(Second sidenote: In the movie there is a young couple called Mundek and Klara, based on their real-life counterparts that spent 14 months in the sewers of Lwow. After the war, they married and moved to England. Throughout their life, they were very affectionate, always holding and kissing each other. Mundek was Klara's hero, just as Mr. Socha was both of theirs, and he always took the greatest care of her; bringing her flowers, holding her hand and loving her unconditionally. They literally couldn't live without each other. When Mundek was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and put into a home, she died of a broken heart. Six months later, her hero passed away too.
Lest we forget. Were it not for the courage and bravery of Mr. Socha, they would never have had their lives together.
Where there is darkness, there is also light.
Such is the mystery of life.
(Third sidenote: Leopold Socha died a hero for more than one reason. Shortly after the war was over, he and his daughter were out for a bike ride when a Soviet military truck came hurtling towards her. He knocked her out of the way, saving her life and losing his own.)
Yes, I understand that every life must end
As we sit alone, I know someday we must go
Oh I'm a lucky man to count on both hands the ones I love
Some folks just have one, others they've got none
Nothing you would take
Everything you gave
Hold me til I die
Meet you on the other side
Pearl Jam
You have a heart of an angel, she bear.
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