8 Things I Learned from Holocaust Survivor Abe Piasek

I met a most amazing person tonight.

His name is Abe Piasek, and he’s a survivor of the Holocaust.

Mr. Piasek was speaking at a library in a neighboring county, and I had to go hear him.  Apparently, a bunch of other people felt the same way, because we more than maxed out the meeting room, with people standing along the wall, sitting in every available floor space, and even lining up in the hallway outside.

Mr. Piasek starting telling his story, and he had us all gasping in horror but also laughing in surprise.  His perspective was beautiful, and his determination to persevere had me evaluating his words and considering my priorities.

I continued my pondering all the way home – and I decided that there were several things that I learned from his presentation.

1. Forgive.  At the end, a man asked Mr. Piasek if he could ever forgive the soldiers who treated him so brutally.  Without hesitation, Mr. Piasek responded with a fervent “Yes.  I did that a long time ago.  I forgive – but I do not forget.”  This wasn’t just something that he said; as he told his stories, he shared his perspective about various people he encountered along the way.  Often these were people who helped him, but they were also people in positions of great power over him, and he spoke of them kindly, without rancor.  Having lived through what he did – and I’m sure we heard only small parts – I can’t imagine being able to share so calmly unless true forgiveness had been given.
2. Find the good…. because like above, in each story he told, Mr. Piasek found someone who was kind, helpful,  or had some redeeming quality.  It wasn’t that the conditions weren’t unspeakable, because they were – but there always, in the stories that he told, was someone who shared extra food with him, who helped him hide from the SS guards, or saved him from certain death in some way.  These were people in high positions, too – a death camp doctor, a munitions’ factory supervisor, a military guard.  There’s always some good somewhere.  Find it.  Recognize it.  Be thankful for it.
3. Be kind.  Maybe this seems like a given, but we know that violence desensitizes us.  It could be said that having lived through five years of horrific violence in three different German death camps, including Auschwitz, that small things might slip past you.  Maybe you’d give up on basic kindnesses that could make up everyday life – but not Mr. Piasek.  Although just shy of his 90th birthday, Mr. Piasek stood at a podium in a packed, hot room for two hours, telling his story.  He took care to warn us when somewhat graphic details were coming and was careful to avoid anything he considered too graphic for the children in the room.  He continued to stand at that same podium while people lined up for autographs and pictures.  He didn’t have to stand there and continue to meet with us, but he did – carefully signing papers, answering questions, and giving each person time and attention.  He admitted to being tired but kept his place. That’s impressive.
4. Fight for faith.  Sadly, Mr. Piasek admitted that his faith took a hit during the Holocaust.  I say ‘sadly’ because I would love for him to say that the Nazis didn’t take that from him – that they didn’t succeed in taking the very thing they first attacked in him.  Instead, however, his faith is different.  He admits that his view of God has changed, but he also shared that he wasn’t done wrestling with the ‘good versus’ evil question that plagues so many people.  He also asked for prayer for a person close to him who’s seriously ill, and he showed that despite everything, faith is still important to him.  It’s worth fighting for.
5. Prioritize people.  One of the first things that Mr. Piasek shared, before he mentioned the war at all, was his family.  He told us about his girlfriend – nearly 90 with a girlfriend! – and how they got together a few years after his wife of 63 years died.  He shared about children and grandchildren and moves to be near them.  He told us about trying to find relatives after the war ended and how he kept hope that maybe they would be given to his children even if answers weren’t provided in his lifetime.  It was always clear that people are important to him – and that you never know how long you’ll have.
6. Don’t take the easy way out.  Over and over again, Mr. Piasek humbly shared how hard he worked.  He worked at crazy hard jobs in each death camp – did you catch that? death camp – people were trying to kill him – and yet he had jobs that were physically demanding and very, very little food.  Before the war, he foraged to help feed his family, and after the war, he worked full-time during the day and went to school at night.  Yet, nowhere in there did I hear anything about how he was tired, hurting, sad, scared, sick, injured, or entitled.  When pressed, Mr. Piasek admitted to being depressed, but he said that he didn’t let it trouble him – that it was over – and he did what he had to do.  As easy as Mr. Piasek made it sound, it’s really not – and it’s admirable.
7. We’re spoiled.  So just like above, Mr. Piasek lived through far, far more than any human ever should – but not once did he complain about it.  He did lightly share how he once asked for an SS officer’s motorcycle and was surprised to receive it, but … really?  I hear complaints all the time.  I don’t want to eat that.  I don’t feel like doing that.  I’m tired … I want … I’m… sick…sad.  People in our country react badly to everything and always want more stuff, but in reality we have so very much more than we need.  New shoes, fancy electronics, and the stylish new haircuts aren’t necessary. What might we be able to do without?  What do we already have that we can be thankful for?
8. Say ‘yes.’  Over and over again, Mr. Piasek had the opportunity to say yes to a new adventure or to stay with the familiar.  Well, maybe not really familiar, but with the unfamiliar and the crazy new.  Mr. Piasek took chances and said yes – and he’s led, despite the horrors of his teen years, a pretty amazing life.  He took chances and moved from Poland to the United States, and then from New York to Connecticut to California to Florida and finally to North Carolina.  He’s visited Switzerland, Poland, and Israel as an adult, and I bet other places, too.  He’s met General Patton, General Eisenhower, and delivered a cake to Steven Spielberg.  Mr. Piasek could have stayed in any one of those places.  He could have stayed put, put down roots, dug in his heels, and stuck with what he knew, but instead of rooting, he soared.  And now?  When he could be kicking back and letting other people pamper him? Wouldn’t he deserve that?  He’s traveling all over, sharing his experiences – which must be emotionally difficult and physically demanding to do.  Letting others know what happened so that it might not happen again.  He’s taking advantage of more opportunities.

Many would say that I’m a grown-up.  My kids would say I’m old.  When I grow up, though, I want to be like Mr. Piasek.  We’re all works in progress.  I want to be brave and bold and upbeat.  I want to have adventures, make the most of every day, and be surrounded by the people I love.

Thank you for sharing your story, Mr. Piasek.

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