The Big Three: One girl’s words

The world can be a crazy place. Sometimes it helps to step back and list a few of the things you’re grateful for. I’m making it a habit each week to list three blessings. Here’s what I’m grateful for this week, June 8 – 14.

What I’m grateful for:

—Sweet dreams. A good night’s sleep.

—10,000 steps and lots and lots of green. Can you say summer is in full bloom.

—The power of one girl’s words. On 12 June 1942, Anne Frank, a young girl living in Amsterdam, was given a diary for her thirteenth birthday. Anne’s parents let her pick one out for herself. On the cover page, she wrote: “I hope I will be able to confide everything to you, as I have never been able to confide in anyone, and I hope you will be a great source of comfort and support.” Two days later, she wrote about her birthday party, her gifts, her friends, being in love, her family history, and her class in school.  

A month later, she and her family went into hiding from the Nazis. Anne hoped to publish a book about her time in the Secret Annex. After the war, her father, Otto Frank, fulfilled her wish. Since then, Anne Frank’s diary, “The Diary of a Young Girl,” has been read by more than 30 million people worldwide and translated into over 70 languages. 

Anne Frank’s life was way too short. But, I’m grateful for the power of words and one thirteen year old’s fight against hatred and totalitarianism.

What gave me a smile?


It could be me, but I still find Schoolhouse Rock informative and funny. Conjunction Junction what’s your function! I think I could listen to this all day. Who’s with me?

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46 thoughts on “The Big Three: One girl’s words”

  4. Hey Brian, WP is being an ass telling me I have to be logged in when I am… So, I’m responding via email. Hope it gets through!

    Yes, this is a wonderful trio!

    There are always things to be grateful for. They don’t need to be big to count.

    I need to reread the Diary of Anne Frank. It should be obligated reading for kids.

    I had to watch the whole Conjunction Junction. I think today’s kids could benefit from Schoolhouse Rock, tell you what!! It was brilliant.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Your response came through Dale. Thank you. Boo WP🤣🤣🤣 Yes, I know some schools still have it as required reading. A book that really makes you think. And I love the silliness but education in the schoolhouse rock videos. Good stuff from way back when!!! 😎😎🎉🎉🎉

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Yeah, I know it works because awhile back this was happening on pretty much every post until they fixed it. One of my followers responded this way 😉

        Do they? That’s excellent! As for Schoolhouse Rock – it’s why it worked so well. Silly and you didn’t realise you were learning…

        Liked by 1 person

  6. Oh, these are so good. Love the turtles on the log. And Anne Frank – her words and fight against hatred have had such an amazing impact. So incredible to feel the ripples of her bravery. And conjunctions. All good!

    Liked by 1 person

  8. That walk looked amazing, Brian – and encountering that group of turtles on the ravine log. Priceless! I feel so relaxed just from your green photos. Can only imagine the real deal! 💕

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It’s a trail that I used to run, now mainly walk. The turtles are funny. It’s an old canal that gets pretty swampy. Looks kind of gross to me … but There always seem to be a bunch of turtles hanging out. Must be great habitat for them! 🐢🐢🎉🎉🎉

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I taught the play, The Diary of Anne Frank, to my 8th graders for years and we worked with the art and history teachers to create a pretty comprehensive Holocaust unit. It’s what most of my students remember the most. So powerful. After all those years of feeling as though we were making headway it’s been particularly traumatic to see the same old hatred and scapegoating rise up again.

        Liked by 1 person

  14. Your gratitude lists are so great to read each week, Brian. Anne Frank’s words are so valuable all these years later. And I still find myself singing Schoolhouse Rock snippets every once in a while, they wrote educational stuff that really sticks in the brain.

    Liked by 1 person

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