A Letter from a Father
In May 1939, Otto Frank, whom Anne lovingly called “Pim,” wrote a letter to his daughter that provides a beautiful and insightful look into their relationship. The letter, filled with a mixture of love, pride, and gentle guidance, shows a father who saw his daughter’s unique personality and cherished it.
He began by recalling a nickname her grandmother used for her: “Little woman,” and he called her a “flattering little kitten,” a testament to her charming nature. He also acknowledged her struggles, admitting that things hadn’t always gone as smoothly for her as they had for her sister, Margot. But he praised her sense of humor and amiability, qualities that helped her “sail through so much easily.”
Otto’s letter also reveals his deep concern for Anne’s personal growth. He gently pushed her to “educate yourself” and to “swallow the ‘buts'”—a loving critique of her tendency to complain. But even in his guidance, his affection for her shines through. He noted that she loved to spoil herself and, even more, to be spoiled by others. He reassured her that this wasn’t a bad thing, as long as she remained “as lovable as you always have been.”
The letter ends with a beautiful tribute to Anne’s spirit. Otto celebrated her ability to overcome sadness, noting that after a few tears, “the laughter is soon back again.” He wished for this “happy laughter” to stay with her, because it was a laugh that “enhance[d] your, our and other people’s lives.”
This letter is a powerful testament to the bond between a father and his daughter. It shows that even before her voice was immortalized in her diary, Anne was a child who was deeply loved, understood, and encouraged to be herself.