In Memory...

It doesn't take much to be labeled a hero in today's society.....maybe hit some homeruns, get a few holes-in-one, score some touchdowns, sing a loud fast song, act in a movie. It's true that these may require physical stamina and self-discipline, but the application of this hard work is nothing but vain pursuits that will count as nothing in eternity. (Go ahead and get mad. I stand by my Biblical interpretation of sports, especially professional sports as a career choice.) In our recreation-obsessed culture, we have forgotten that the definition of hero is someone who has done something brave and admirable, someone who stares in the face of danger and conquers his/her own fears in order to accomplish something noble.

One such heroine was Miep Gies (pronounced Meep Kees), the secretary for Otto Frank who, along with 5 others, helped hide and provide for the Frank family and 4 others who were hidden in an annex built onto a Dutch warehouse during World War II. For more than 2 years, she risked her life to provide food, shelter, and care for them. It was Miep who, after they were betrayed to the Nazis and the families whisked away to death camps, found the now famous diary of the teenager Anne Frank. She refused to read the diary, respecting Anne's privacy and hoping she would return to collect it herself one day. When Otto Frank returned in 1945, he soon discovered that he was the sole survivor of his beloved family. It was then that Miep pulled Anne's diary from a locked drawer and gave it to her father. The rest is history.

Here is a description of Miep and her companions in the words of Anne Frank:

On January 28, 1944, Anne Frank expresses her amazement at the fact that there are so many noble people, selflessly helping and saving other people: ‘

The best example of this is our own helpers, who have managed to pull us through so far and will hopefully bring us safely to shore, because otherwise they'll find themselves sharing the fate of those they're trying to protect. Never have they uttered a single word about the burden we must be, never have they complained that we're too much trouble. They come upstairs every day and talk to the men about business and politics, to the women about food and wartime difficulties and to the children about books and newspapers. They put on their most cheerful expressions, bring flowers and gifts for birthdays and holidays and are always ready to do what they can. That's something we should never forget; while others display their heroism in battle or against the Germans, our helpers prove theirs every day by their good spirits and affection.'

Below is a picture of Miep and her husband Jan Gies (who also aided the Franks) as they returned once again to the warehouse:

Miep did not consider herself a hero, only a compassionate human being who was looking out for her fellow man. This world could use a few more Mieps!

Check out this website for a detailed history of Miep Gies as well as the story of Anne Frank:

Miep Gies: Her Own Story

Miep Gies

February 15, 1909 - January 11, 2010

100 years old