A Letter from Margot: The Simple Joys
Before her name became synonymous with the tragic story of the Secret Annex, Margot Frank was simply a young girl writing a thank-you note to her grandmother. In a letter dated February 1936, her words reveal a life filled with simple joys and the warmth of family. This note, written by a girl of ten, is a window into a world of birthday gifts, family visits, and the small treasures of childhood.
Margot’s letter is polite and appreciative. She thanks her grandmother for a “beautiful present” and a “lovely chair,” while also acknowledging a swimsuit, a bicycle repair, and even chocolate from her uncle. It’s a list that shows a life full of caring family members, eager to share in her happiness.
But the most poignant part of the letter is the postscript. “When are you coming to visit? We are so looking forward to seeing you,” she writes. This simple question, filled with a child’s eagerness, is a heartbreaking reminder of the bonds she held so dear. It shows her as a loving granddaughter, excited to see her family, completely unaware of the future that would tear them apart.
This letter allows us to see Margot not as a victim, but as a person: a sweet, grateful, and loving girl. It reminds us that before the world knew her name, she was just Margot, a girl who loved her family and looked forward to the simple, ordinary pleasures of life.