Tale of Survival

Saturday 20th June, 2020

"it is a complete mystery" my beloved Grandmother used to say. It was her mantra for all that she could not explain from my Mother's red hair to the workings of a car engine and to why her cat Prudence, her least favourite, lived to the age of 29 and also to the general panning out of life. Of course, most of her mysteries could be explained by experts. About those which truly remained inexplicable she would have muttered "God's Will"! She was a woman of deep yet quiet and private Christian Faith. She had had a privileged childhood, the daughter of a squire and related to various Grandees. She had given it up and eloped with my Grandfather. After five children yet while he was still young he was murdered by political activists. Her family and that of her late husband both rejected her. Through poverty, hard work and determination and sheer guts she brought up her five remarkable children. I adored her: ever compassionate and aware of her 'good fortune' she taught me much about endurance, perseverance and love.

Her faith in the God she simply described as 'loving mystery' was firm and sure. Through ups and downs she quietly trusted Him, although I feel He may have had the occasional difficult conversation behind closed doors.

My Grandmother was a survivor as well as a woman who was full of gratitude for life. She did not take it for granted but lived it abundantly and defiantly even when it was harsh.

Today I received an extended email entitled 'Tale of survival'. It is the story of Stanley Praimnath based on his book 'Plucked from the Fire'. He is the only known survivor from the impact zone of the World Trade Towers of 9/11. He utterly believes and proclaims that his survival was the direct work of the Christian God in whom he believed. He relates what happened, his prayers, beseechings  and actions...it could certainly be described as miraculous.

The story told in 'The Tattooist of Auschwitz' of Lale Sokolov, nee Eisenberg, and his wife Gita, both Auschwitz survivors is another miraculous story. After telling his story the author Heather Morris reveals she is now writing the story of Cilka, an Auschwitz contemporary of Lale. "She not only survived the horrors of Birkenau ( where she arrived aged 16), but endured and survived a second imprisonment of ten years in a Siberian Gulag. She fell in love and lived until she was 84."

Are these people survivors through the Will of God, fate or simply by dint of character and opportunity? Millions upon millions do not survive such experiences. Is it all a 'complete mystery'?