"I am happy that I’ve survived mentally and physically. I can look back at the obstacles I had to deal with and confront during my life and appreciate that I overcame them."
I enjoyed this and found the last line touching and inspiring - "It's a time filled with optimism, not pessimism." To read that quote from anyone, at any age, would be lovely. But from an 89 year old, whose life provided all too many reasons to feel pessimistic, but chooses optimism instead - how beautiful. Thank you for sharing this.
I feel it's almost a prerequisite, being optimistic & able to embrace truth without bitterness, for longevity. It perhaps indicates that pessimism & bitterness & all manner negativity are toxic. That doesn't internalizing a Polyanna optimism, rather being able to acknowledge injustice & pain, & being then able to go beyond that, doing what you can to correct it, & living fully as your faith tells you God wishes.
I have tears reading this. My mom too was a survivor who hid out in a farmhouse in France. Almost the same age too. It always inpressed me hearing her story and those like hers, to see the triumph of the human spirit. Thank you for sharing!
I’m 72. I have prostate cancer and am one week into recovery from a radical prostatectomy. Reading Mr Lakritz story has inspired me to live as long and vitally as he has. Not ready to write a book though. And I still shave. I just don’t like beards and mustaches. A very inspiring article. Thank you!
I live near Lourdes and I am always inspired to hear how the local people protected children like Mr Lakritz during the war, risking their lives with compassion and courage.
I was inspired to search the US Holocaust Memorial Museum's oral histories and was so pleased to find Lakritz's story there, preserved for (hopefully) forever. Here's a link, and thank you Alfred, for everything you have done to promote justice for all.
The quote you called out here is the one I wanted to call attention to, too:
"So much injustice was done to me, but counterbalancing that was so much justice done for me and on my behalf."
Incredible perspective.
He's right though. No matter how horrific, there are always fragments of light to turn to. It's a deliberate decision. Bravo, sir.
I enjoyed this and found the last line touching and inspiring - "It's a time filled with optimism, not pessimism." To read that quote from anyone, at any age, would be lovely. But from an 89 year old, whose life provided all too many reasons to feel pessimistic, but chooses optimism instead - how beautiful. Thank you for sharing this.
I feel it's almost a prerequisite, being optimistic & able to embrace truth without bitterness, for longevity. It perhaps indicates that pessimism & bitterness & all manner negativity are toxic. That doesn't internalizing a Polyanna optimism, rather being able to acknowledge injustice & pain, & being then able to go beyond that, doing what you can to correct it, & living fully as your faith tells you God wishes.
This line touched me the most as well.
I have tears reading this. My mom too was a survivor who hid out in a farmhouse in France. Almost the same age too. It always inpressed me hearing her story and those like hers, to see the triumph of the human spirit. Thank you for sharing!
I’m 72. I have prostate cancer and am one week into recovery from a radical prostatectomy. Reading Mr Lakritz story has inspired me to live as long and vitally as he has. Not ready to write a book though. And I still shave. I just don’t like beards and mustaches. A very inspiring article. Thank you!
Publishing a book at any age is an inspiration but this made my day!
Agree!
It’s so interesting how much joy people get from their work. I wish that the way we work, make money and retire was different.
My dad is also a Holocaust survivor but sadly he never found this much joy in his work.
I live near Lourdes and I am always inspired to hear how the local people protected children like Mr Lakritz during the war, risking their lives with compassion and courage.
Amazing and rich interview! Ordering your memoir today! I look forward to reading it. You obviously have a life well lived!
A great interview. I think his optimism is one reason he has done so well throughout his life and greatly helped him be where he is at 89.
Love this. Very much.
And I love how you phrase this reply. Very much.
It said what I want to say.
Beautiful reflections on a life very well lived.
I was inspired to search the US Holocaust Memorial Museum's oral histories and was so pleased to find Lakritz's story there, preserved for (hopefully) forever. Here's a link, and thank you Alfred, for everything you have done to promote justice for all.
https://collections.ushmm.org/search/catalog/irn35973
This is incredibly inspiring.
His attitude is like a warm cup of chocolate on a cold day.
Thank you for featuring this wonderful man and his story, especially right now. I love his perspective.
Your story is so inspiring. So horrific were your experiences yet you did more than survive. You give hope!