“Dear Anna, I tried to imagine how you lived.
It’s hard to imagine that. It’s even harder to get through.
Same food, fleas, unpleasant odors.
I tried to imagine myself in this refuge. Don’t go outside for two years. Communicate only with residents of the secret annex. Eat very modestly. Maintain composure. And the worst thing is to live in fear. All the time. I couldn’t stand it. I would break.
After reading your diary, I thought: Am I going to focus on the beauty that remains? Am I going to be fun and courageous and infect the people around me? Or will I despair? Am I going to let this break me?
I was also very hurt by the line where you wrote “As long as I can see it, cloudless sky and sunlight – I dare not be sad.” I absolutely agree with you.”