Finding Strength in Adversity: A Reflection on Anne Frank, Family, and Personal Struggles

I've been thinking a lot about Anne Frank lately. She was in hiding for two years, a period marked by immense fear and uncertainty, yet she showed remarkable resilience. Her story has been on my mind as I reflect on the strength and perseverance displayed by the women in my family, and as I confront my own recent challenges.

My grandmother is a prime example of this resilience. She took care of my grandfather as he battled cancer, only to lose him at a relatively young age. After his passing, she went back to work and faced the heart-wrenching reality of seeing both her sons drafted. Her strength during these difficult times is something I admire deeply.

In the past year, I've found myself laid up more often than I'd like. It started with a stubborn bout of pneumonia that I couldn’t shake for months. This was followed by a severe case of COVID-19, which hit me hard due to my asthma. Just when I thought things couldn't get worse, I needed foot surgery, which led to an infection. And now, I've hurt my knee and fallen, adding to my physical woes. The pain from the fall was intense, but the mental toll has been even harder. I simply cannot bear the thought of being laid up again.

I recently started working out, motivated by a video of myself that I didn't like. The weight gain from being inactive, compounded by the steroid treatments for my pneumonia, has been disheartening. Being confined to the house and unable to do the things I want or need to do takes immense mental strength. I know that addressing the weight gain will take time, and I need to give myself grace, which is easier said than done.

Bob Marley once said, "You never know how strong you are until being strong is your only choice." Strength comes in many forms. Eleanor Roosevelt stated, "A woman is like a tea bag– you can't tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water." Often, we think of strength in terms of physical feats, like how much weight can be deadlifted. However, I've come to understand that this is only one definition of strength. As Muhammad Ali wisely noted, "Only a man who knows what it is like to be defeated can reach down to the bottom of his soul and come up with the extra ounce of power it takes to win when the match is even."

Reflecting on the resilience of Anne Frank, my grandmother, my mom, my mother-in-law, and my sisters, I see that they were not defeated by Nazis, war, knee replacements, hereditary spastic paraparesis, or injuries. They navigated through these hardships with grace and strength. Their stories remind me that I too can overcome my current struggles.

Anne Frank’s story, in particular, is a powerful reminder of enduring unimaginable hardship. Her diary is a testament to the human spirit’s ability to find hope and strength even in the darkest times. Similarly, my grandmother’s strength in caring for my grandfather, returning to work, and dealing with her sons being drafted shows resilience in the face of adversity. My mom and mother-in-law, both having faced their own battles, continue to inspire me with their unwavering determination.

As I grapple with my own health issues and the frustration of being physically incapacitated, I draw inspiration from these strong women. They have taught me that strength is not just about physical capability but also about mental fortitude and resilience. It's about enduring tough times and emerging stronger.

I realize that this phase of being laid up is just that – a phase. It will pass, and I will regain my strength. For now, I must focus on healing and giving myself the grace to accept where I am. As Bob Marley and Eleanor Roosevelt have reminded me, true strength often reveals itself in our most challenging moments.

By channeling the spirit of the remarkable women before me and embracing the wisdom of those who have spoken about strength, I find the courage to face my current situation. I know that I can overcome this period of physical limitation and emerge stronger, just as Anne Frank, my grandmother, my mom, my mother-in-law, and my sisters have done before me.