"SHE PUTS ME TO SHAME."

Story by Peter Vuono

Title by Otto Frank.

Dedicated to Kate M.,  Tammy C.

and Joe Steinfeld- heroes all!

   On page 186 line 11, in the popular book,"Diary of Anne Frank, Otto Frank says this about his daughter Anne who had written the diary while she and her family hid in an attic in her father's building in Amsterdam from the Nazis from 1942-1944. Anne and her family were captured and she died while being held captive in Bergen-Belson concentration camp at age 15 from typhus. I saw the play in 1974 for the 1st time and when I see the medals depicted with this story, I, through the lives of my family members, remember Otto's statement. Anne had an amazing faith in love and humanity in spite of the cruelty reaped upon her, her family and her people. Anne was a German born Jewish girl. In her diary, Anne says, "Where there's hope, there's life. It fills us with fresh courage and makes us strong again".

   When I look at the medals, I realize that they represent 3 world records of mine. I sometimes feel a little proud but not for long. Why? First, "pride" is the worst of the 7 deadliest sins. Secondly, I did very little to earn them and if world record medals are to go to anyone at this address they should be given to my wife who has undergone 6 operations and to the little girl sharing the photos with the medals.

   Lucy was born on Flag Day in 2021. For 3 years and 10 months of her life she was made to do all hygienic chores in a crate and to put forth at least two litters of puppies for a puppy mill. Just as amazingly, the cruel keepers of the mill belong to a religious sect who are usually purported to be people of peace and forgiveness. I didn't see it with Lucy.

   On both of her hind legs are two black scars(one frontally and one laterally), from a crate that was too small for her and her puppies. Thanks to her intrepid rescuer Kate- a 21st century Harriet Tubman- and her step mom- Tammy she was delivered to us and is truly the answer to our prayers. Like Anne Frank she is filled with nothing but love  and hope. She too, has maintained a love and faith in 

humanity.

  So when I periodically pass by these world record medals, I now smile; pride is gone. They don't belong to me; they belong to Lucy who deserves them so much more than I. She puts me to shame.