The New Beginning in Amsterdam
Edith Frank’s letter to Gertrud Naumann, a friend from her past, is a testament to the family’s resilience and their effort to rebuild a normal life. Having been forced to leave their home in Germany, they had found a new small flat in Amsterdam. This letter captures a moment of happiness and normalcy. It’s filled with the pride of a mother seeing her daughters, Margot and Anne, thriving in their new environment.
A Glimpse of Joy
The letter reveals that the girls had been staying in Aachen for a year before joining their parents. By March 1934, they were back with the family, and Edith was clearly delighted. She describes both children as being “full of fun,” but she saves a special note for Anne, calling her “a little comedian.” This detail is particularly touching as it shows Anne’s vibrant and playful personality long before her diary would be read by the world. It reminds us that before she was a symbol of hope, she was simply a bright and lively child, bringing laughter to her family.
The letter serves as a powerful reminder of the life the Frank family had before the Holocaust. It’s a snapshot of a family enjoying the simple moments of being together, filled with optimism and love, a stark contrast to the tragic fate that awaited them.
