"Paper Clips"

Thanks to those of you who have also shared your thoughts about "The Shack". I've enjoyed the continued conversations via email as well.

Awhile back I mentioned about Lily's interest in the Holocaust and that we had a DVD to recommend. We rented it through Netflix, but I noticed the library we often frequent in Salina, Kansas also has it. It is called "Paper Clips". It's actually a documentary. I don't want to tell too much in case you pursue watching it but it is an inspiring story of a Jr. High School that was looking for a way to wrap their minds around the concept of 6 million victims. They were actually trying to conceptualize 6 million of anything. Anyway, a small idea turned into a project that involved the whole town and even drew international attention. It is appropriate for all ages as there are no graphic pictures shown, etc. It is emotional...Tim and Lily and myself were all in tears at certain points.
I used to dread teaching the girls about this particular event in history. I remember vividly learning for the first time about the Holocaust in high school history class. It involved watching three days worth of films containing horrifying footage of everything you wished you never knew. I remember begging my Mom to let me stay home from school...I don't think I ate for several days...it was horrible. I remember where I was sitting in that huge auditorium. I've actually avoided all books and movies about the subject ever since (except in college when I had to read three terribly graphic books about it for history class) because I couldn't handle it. I've turned the corner though, thanks to Lily whose interest was sparked. I knew I could avoid it no longer. I am thankful we've been able to find many books and resources that are interesting and informative but hold back a bit on the graphic side. When Lily is older, she can decide if she wants to get into more detail.
It is certainly an important part of our history and one that we should accurately teach to our children. The author of one of the books Lily and I read, a survivor of Auschwitz, stated in the foreword of her book,
"for you, the third generation, the Holocaust has slipped into the realm of history, or legend. Or, into the realm of sensational subjects on the silver screen. Reading my personal account, I believe you will feel--you will know--that the Holocaust was neither legend nor Hollywood fiction but a lesson for the future. A lesson to help future generations prevent the causes of the 20th century catastrophe from being transmitted into the 21st century". --Livia Bitton-Jackson