Email to Harold from Klarissa

Hello Mr. Gordon,

You came to speak at my middle school in San Jose, CA around 1995-96 and I never forgot you.

I had a rough childhood and I was often told that I would be pregnant and a dropout by 18. I remember reading your book when I was 13. It was the first time that I had ever read about such tragic human suffering and it was the first time that I thought about the nature of human beings. Even larger than that I asked myself where is this Europe and who are these Jews? All I knew was my city and my own suffering. When I read your story I realized that if you could survive suffering that far surpassed my own and still go on to become a productive citizen, then so could I. Your book opened up the door of the world to me and started my quest for knowledge.

Eventually, I earned a college degree in History and Social Science. I have two small babies and once they are older I plan to become a teacher, like my husband. I promise to share your story with my future students! will never forget hearing your story. Before my husband and I had kids we spent every penny we could scrape up traveling around the world. The two places that stirred my heart the most were Hiroshima and Auschwitz. In a way I needed to travel those two places because of you. I felt that if I had the luxury of travel, I owed it to those who have suffered to pay my respects and remember. I can clearly see now that when we take away the labels of religion or enemy, we are all human beings who are loved by someone.

There are no words to express my gratitude and even as I re-read this email it seems so insufficient. I just want to tell you thank you for sharing your story. Sometimes we do things in life and we never really know if we are making a change. I wanted you to know that you made a change in my life. It is not just your story that I hope to pass on, but lots of stories of human injustice that continue to occur around the world. I am not sure what my destiny will bring, but you had a part in shaping this path that my life has lead me down thus far.

Thank you again, Klarissa