Reflection: Three Sisters (5)

  

Summary for this week:

 

Cibi, the eldest sister. Magda, the middle. Livi, the youngest. Menachem, sisters’ father. Chaya, sisters’ mother. Yitzchak, sisters’ grandfather.

 

For my last reflection on Three Sisters, I would like to keep the ending as a secret. (Not to spoil it) And leave some imagination in your mind. If you are interested in it, go to read it now. Maybe you can borrow it from me. Hah 

 

 

Reflection

In each of my summaries, you might not deeply feel the emotion through the limited details I provided. But I believe, by connecting the story to your personal life, you are likely to find some similarities between them. A true story can always catch people's eyes whether it's a short or a long one. Although it might not happen in front of us, it did take place somewhere else. It's easy to get involved into the plots.

From a complete family, seeing their father go, forced to separate, reunion, again and again, this cycle didn't lead to an end before years of struggles and trials. I was afraid of seeing them get into a unescapable trouble; meanwhile, I was looking forward to know how they, by chance, made it every time. Gratefully, they were blessed for many times in the camps.

When seeing good people who are harmed for no reasons, I usually wonder, "Why the one who gets hurt  is always the good?" Their deeds and personalities do not deserve this kind of punishment. However, the truth is that, God wouldn't bless us all the time.  

I imagined several times, that I was one of their friends, who, unluckily, died before them. I think I would be happy for them. I hate seeing people suffer. If my sacrifice can save others, it's my pleasure to do so. Not to mention if I were one of the sisters. I'm always the one who doesn't care about the heavy price I have to pay in my daily life, since I can't stand aside doing nothing. Who knows, one day, we might have to face this situation and make a decision. I am willing to be well-prepared for any unpredictable event that would strike my life.

Sometimes, take a look at the people around you. Maybe that would be the last time you see them. We don't know what's coming next. Try to cherish everything you own now, and be appreciative.

Reflection: Three Sisters (4)

 

Summary for this week:

 

Cibi, the eldest sister. Magda, the middle. Livi, the youngest. Menachem, sisters’ father. Chaya, sisters’ mother. Yitzchak, sisters’ grandfather.

 

One day, a friend of Cibi's came to notify her that she saw Magda in the place she worked. However, she wasn't sure if she was still alive after that. Hearing the news, Cibi tried to find Magda while sending messages to the other block. Fortunately, Magda was seen working within a group too; Cibi then took her back to her block. The three sisters eventually reunite again. After a few days, the sisters saw their mom and grandpa marching in a line. They knew that they were going to be put into the gas chamber. But there's nothing they could do. No one showed them mercy. That was their last goodbye, all of a sudden. What they can do now is to make sure they are all alive, and not to disappoint Chaya and Yitzchak

 

 

Reflection

It's glad to see the three sisters' reunion. It's been a long time since they last saw Magda. However, for their mom and grandpa, it's not a great outcome. I could feel that they were powerless when they saw one another, but they could simply watch them move away. To the sisters, the scene was despair. I was thinking, "If I were they, how could I tolerate the hopelessness? Just watching my dear family go die."  Also, compared to the sisters, Chaya and Yitzchak felt easier in mind when they see their (grand)daughters. I knew that it was all because of concern and duty, as (grand)parents, which would definitely be the first thing they care about no matter how hard the situation is. This occurred to me that every time my parents would always ensure my safety prior to theirs. I think it's the virtue of dedication and selflessness from most parents. After a week, someone from the sorting room gave a bag to Cibi, in which she find their family photos, along with the wedding ring once worn by her mom. That was the heritage of her mom and dad, which represented the proof of their ever-existence. The ring carried the memories they had together. I believe each of us should, if possible, possess a symbol of those who left but were important to us. Life is not reversible, so try to keep everything worthy of collecting. They would become your and others' stories one day in the future.

I would also like to mention an inhumane event that happened. There were four girls who destroyed a chamber and then escaped from the block, but they still got caught by the soldiers. Out of question, they were punished for the "guilt." The other girls were gathered one day in the morning; they were forced to watch the escapees hung on the gallows. If they close their eyes or turn their heads away, their consequences would be the same as the four ones. That was the menace that was done to tell the rest what would happen to them if they dare to slip away. If I were them, I would totally stay, working no matter a chance came to me. I might not risk my life for the sake of uncertain freedom, even to death. I think, probably, not many people can face the fear of death. It's extremely hard. 

Lastly, the Nazis were failing, I strongly believe there will be a great ending for the sisters. I hope so. 

Reflection: Three Sisters (3)

 

Summary for this week:

 

Cibi, the eldest sister. Magda, the middle. Livi, the youngest. Menachem, sisters’ father. Chaya, sisters’ mother. Yitzchak, sisters’ grandfather.

 

    Compared to Cibi and Livi, Magda's life with her mother and grandpa is a lot easier. However, every Sunday, due to Shabbat, she has to hide in a secret chamber of their neighbor's house so as to prevent the Nazis' recruitment. It has been a year since Cibi and Livi went to the camp for work. One day, another selection takes place again; it's grateful that a kapo (their supervisor) helps them overcome this inhumane event again for their useful knowledge. They made it, luckily, once again. However, some of their friends didn't. Typhus, selections, and bullets came to them without announcements. There were more to suffer from.

 

 

Reflection

Life was not easy for them day by day. They were living under death threat every minute; no one knows what was coming next. And for Magda, maybe this form of life would happen to her soon. She had thought of going with the Nazis to look for her sisters, but her mom and grandpa stopped her. I'm not sure if it's a good outcome for her or not. Maybe she cannot tolerate the jobs, or she might be fine with them. Also, once she leaves, Chaya and Yitzchak would have less pressure on the food shortage.

This week, I was touched and shocked by some expressions in the novel. One is during the selection. Originally, Cibi was going to be examined before Livi, but she change the sequence of Livi and her. After they both survived this turn, Livi asked Cibi about the intention why she did that. "If you were sent to the left then I would have followed you," said Cibi. (Those who were sent to the left would be executed)  Moreover, Livi asked what if Cibi were sent to the left beforehand. And she replied, "I would have made sure you were out of sight before I went to the left, that you wouldn't see me and couldn't follow." I almost cried in this part. I saw Cibi's determination to protect and even stay with Livi no matter what, even to her death. It wasn't just getting wounded, but the most fearful consequence. I believe that most people are afraid of death, not to mention dying for someone voluntarily.

Another one is about one of their friends, Hannah, who came alone. One day, they met one another on a square. They were killing the lice mutually. But Hannah responded, " I'll let my dice die with me." Cibi and Livi required her to ask her kapo for medicine to cure the sores. Hannah promised them and implored them to sit together in the sun with her. Next Sunday, more exactly, every Sunday, they never saw Hannah again. I was wondering, were they the "murderers" as they requested her to "ask?"  Because anyone who was found weak would become useless and got killed. Their lives have no difference with lice's. Sitting in the sun was the most luxurious thing they could do. I can hardly imagine the hardship they experienced while living with ease. 

Reflection: Three Sisters (2)

Summary for this week:

 

Cibi, the eldest sister. Magda, the middle. Livi, the youngest. Menachem, sisters’ father. Chaya, sisters’ mother. Yitzchak, sisters’ grandfather.

 

    Today, Cibi and Livi are departing. They are leaving for the synagogue where they received religious instruction during their childhood. The place full of happy memories becomes a hostile space. Some parents coming along with their daughters were dragged away by the guards. Tomorrow, they will move on to another camp far away from here, starting to work for the Nazis with dread, so the kids are asked to get some sleep yet without mattresses or pillows.

    They arrive at the main camp, where they will be working for a while, maybe a few days, months, or years. The guards provide them with mattresses they promised, which are bundles of straw with tiny companions, fleas. Their lives there become harder and harder every day. Hair all over their bodies is shaved; they look like boys lacking dignity. Infected with typhus, they feel unwell but there is nothing they can do. They cannot show illness or weakness, or they will get shot immediately. The Nazis need useful workers. Therefore, Cibi lives better, comparatively, since she knows how to write and type. And she can receive a few privileges to help her little sister.

    All these last for months, summer to winter

 

 

Reflection

This week, I see them working, from dread to despair. None of us could imagine how hard their lives are. They sleep on straw, while we stay at comfortable places with warm clothes, soft pillows. They have no cure for typhus and whether die or not depends on luck. Conversely, although we suffered from COVID in the past few years, we have vaccines to prevent us from dying. Every day, they live under the fear and threats of death. Some of them even become numb after seeing so many peers die from bullet shots and illness.

There are more details described in the novel. They need to drag wagons on their own like horses. Some of their workplaces are far from the camp they live in, as a result, wearing shoes or not, they must walk for miles to get there. Their feet were wounded due to the rugged path.  The ration of food could hardly satisfy their hunger. 

When I was reading the plots, I was shocked because of the inhumane drudgery they were asked to do. Compared to them, I feel like living in a wonderland, worrying about nothing but what to eat for lunch. I own everything in need, but still long for luxurious stuff. There might be some places suffering from all levels of trouble. We can't realize the unfairness and miseries while standing on the same ground. There might not be too many we can do. However, there must be something we can do though it doesn't seem great enough.  

Cibi and Livi didn't die because of the hardship mentioned above. And again, I know what's supporting them under those difficulties, sisters' strong connection. When Livi was ill, Cibi was with her all the time and told her to be sturdy. Why? Because their families were waiting for them to come back. The desire of staying alive so as to return home surpassed every pain they were enduring. They were, undoubtedly, tough and dauntless.

   

Reflection: Three Sisters (1)

The book I pick is “Three Sisters” written by Heather Morris. This week, I read the book from the prologue to chapter 5 for my log 2 reflection. 

I bought this book a few days ago. While I was walking around and trying to find the book for this semester, the cover and the name, “Three Sisters”, drew my attention. Although I knew that was the one for me, I yet read the blurb in order to reassure my guess about this novel. It seems like I’m looking for a girlfriend. However, for someone who seldom purchases and reads books, it’s a tough decision, and I do have to spend some time with it. But how on earth did the novel attract me? Well, it was all because of the relationships among the three siblings that would be told in the inspiring story.

The novel tells a true story about why the three sisters were separated from one another and at last reunited again. Their story surrounds with the promises they made; courage and love which pushed them to fight against the cruel era together.

 

Every week, I would like to provide a summary for you to understand what I’m writing about. Follow my lead to learn more in my unique way and feel the emotion.

Summary for this week:

 

Cibi, the eldest sister. Magda, the middle. Livi, the youngest. Menachem, sisters’ father. Chaya, sisters’ mother. Yitzchak, sisters’ grandfather.

 

    Tomorrow will be a hard day for the family, especially for Menachem, the life-and-death surgery must be operated. Menachem gathers his three little daughters in the backyard, asking them to make a promise, “Always be there for one another, no matter what.”

    A few years later… Magda lay in bed due to fever with Chaya and Livi’s care. Yitzchak has been there assisting them since the operation day. That is, Menachem didn’t make it. Cibi had another plan, to create a homeland for Jewish, so she left for life skills training.

    The doctor asked to bring Magda to the hospital for the other reason, that the Nazis were taking away children over 15 to work for them. Chaya and Yitzchak permitted. One day, Livi was announced to be taken away even if she was only 14. Cibi came back before the day Livi would depart, and she decided to go with her. Magda didn’t know her sisters were leaving…

 

 

Reflection

    I do not have any siblings; my childhood was not interesting as most of my friends’. I could remember the time I spent playing Nerf guns and the huge differences between SpongeBob and Squidward, all these memories, all alone without a friend at the same age. Both of my parents were working hard for my tuition. I was raised up by my grandparents, with their company, I still got a lot of fun. Still, I couldn’t share my childlike joy with them, and a young boy wouldn’t understand that the precious time he had will never happen again as well.

    I never had the chance to experience the company and love from any siblings, therefore, I long for having one. When I read an article or watch a movie, I always put myself into the character’s situation. I love to imagine how I would feel or what I would do if I were in the story. For example, when Cibi determined to go with her little sister, I felt a strong connection between them. The unbreakable spirit of kinship they hold can help them overcome with all kinds of difficulties, like the unexpected works they would be asked to do. How brave was Cibi could she volunteer to follow without a question? Although I wish to have a sibling, I ask myself, “If I were her, would I be supposed to begin a journey full of unknowns?”

 

    Most importantly, the promise requested by their father was the most powerful thing that kept them together. People often make a promise, but they hardly carry it out. According to some experiences, I know it’s extremely hard to fulfill a promise, so I never or rarely made one. To me, trust is everything among humans. I still regard that a relationship lacking reliance is not worth maintaining. 

About Jim

 

Hello, everyone! This is Jim sharing something about myself. I’m now a sophomore majoring in the Department of Applied Foreign Language at NTUST.

 

I’m a quiet and a little bit introverted “young man”, so some of my friends once considered me the one who loves reading. However, the truth is that I barely read. A few years ago, I tried to push myself into reading at least one book per month, but I gave up. I thought what stopped me from reading was the stress of school assignments and examinations given by my teachers in junior and senior high. I couldn’t and didn’t want to spend any of my leisure time reading anything. Instead, I would rather hang out with my friends or stay home playing computer games. Even though I personally don’t like reading, I still have the faith that the more books a person reads, the more we learn and improve physically and mentally.

 

Other than reading books, I prefer reading the world’s signs. I love observing; to me, this has been the best way for me to learn everything. Our world looks alive from our eyes that are full of imagination and expectation. Through the diversity of places, cultures, and people with different characteristics, knowledge becomes endless. What we could learn is not restrained in books already. As long as we hold the desire of learning, we could always gain something new and meaningful. For example, I am bad at communicating and interacting with others. Therefore, I learned how to get along with people I first meet by observing what my friends would do when they encounter someone they don’t know. The tiniest thing could show me how this huge world works. There are always surprises if you try to find them out.

 

Through this course, this semester, I guess I might have a big chance to grab my lost enthusiasm for reading. Definitely, reading won’t bring me any inconvenience or waste my time. Who knows, maybe I would turn into a books fanatic after that.