~:[CH12 - Day 52]:~ The Invisible Pain

 
~:[CH12 - Day 52]:~ The Invisible Pain

I always appreciate hearing speakers on the Day of Remembrance. As I heard their stories, I realized that this experience would not be one available to all students as we move forward. It's sad that these stories will one day be taken away from us as first hand accounts, but it's experiences like these that allows these stories and lessons move on. Many of times, I've heard friends, survivors and others talk about how their parents or grandparents refused to talk about what happened because of the trauma surrounding it. They bottled it up inside and lived with this invisible pain, some until they passed. While some experienced good memories while they were in the camp, later in their lives, I feel that they realized that they had lost 3-4 years of their lives and when they returned were in many cases unwelcomed. They were left with scars of racism and hate that they'll carry with them for the rest of their lives. However, one of the speakers mentioned that when he returned back to Lakewood, he was welcomed back to a warm and accepting environment. As I talked to my students, I mentioned how we often have a choice. While they couldn't override the governments decision, people could decide to spread hate and discrimination or make the extra effort to make an environment welcoming for others. Our choices don't just impact others, but can continue to add to the pain or become the band aid that can help begin the healing process. Inevitably, we will face another fork in the road in our lives and will have to make another decision in life. Ultimately, it's is up to us, but I hope when we arrive there, we can make the decision that is not only best for us, but allows us to ease the pain that may reside in those around us.