The Good, the Bad, and the Nazi

The horrors of the Holocaust can not be overstated.

The day I toured the Holocaust museum in Washington DC was one I will never, ever forget.

There are no words to describe the sorrows and cruelty that many experienced, and my heart and love go out to those who remember the pain, and to the families of all those who have lost their loved ones through war and cruelty.

I would like to share a true story about my Granny that occurred during the war that has touched my heart, and given me a deeper understanding of humankind.

If you are a long time reader of my blog, you will know that during WWII Granny was a refuge. As a young woman, her husband fighting for the French Army, Granny and her two small girls, were sent to a small farm town away from the city and the fighting.

At one point, one of Granny's daughters, became extremely ill with Meningitis. Granny was proficient in nursing but her four year old daughter needed a hospital, a doctor, and medication or she would die. Time was running out.


The rural village in which they resided was many kilometers away from any medical help. There was no means of transportation other than bikes so Granny had only one option.... she would have to approach the Nazi SS soldier guarding the area, and ask him to drive her and her daughter to the nearest hospital a few hours away.

With the courage that comes from desperation and the love of a child, Granny approached the Nazi guard, told him of the emergency and pleaded for his help. The guard after seeing the very sick child agreed to help and stated that he personally would drive them to the hospital in his truck.

They left immediately. The guard remained at the hospital while the young girl received her much needed medical attention. In time she regained her health.

After receiving the deepest gratitude from Granny for saving the life of her child, the SS soldier replied that he had a young daughter at home, and hoped that if she were dying, there would be someone there to help her.

The young child grew up to have a two sons, one of whom became my husband.

And, so, I have the knowledge that if it were not for the kindness of one SS Nazi soldier, a man who previously I would have considered one of the worst humans on the earth, I would not have the family that I do.

I believe that there is a light in each of us, no matter how dark we think the soul, no matter how horrible the behavior, the thoughts, the actions, somewhere deep inside there is a spark of goodness.

What do we (individually and collectively), do that diminishes or extinguishes the light?

Is there anything we can do to brighten the light of others?

How is our own light either brightened or diminished?

As we live with conscious awareness, perhaps we can remember that everything we do, think, or say, impacts the whole. We are not isolated and alone but interacting continually with all of existence.

With this knowledge, we can live so as to bring forth the light and beauty of those with whom we travel on this journey.

And, we can remember that somewhere, in each of us, there is goodness.


I humbly thank those who have brightened my own personal light.