Wow… Inspiring

Stories Of Hope by Heather Morris is a powerful read about the importance of listening to others when they are talking.

Heather Morris wrote The Tattooist Of Auschwitz and also Cilka’s Journey, both of which I have read and are excellent. Within this book Heather Morris talks about her experiences of listening to Lale as he talked about Auschwitz. It was important to listen well and not ask questions that would interrupt his flow.

Many survivors of the concentration camps do not talk about their experiences, especially within their families. Their stories need to be told in tribute to both the survivors and the six million innocents who died.

We must give our full attention to whoever is speaking. Their stories are about them and not us. It is the speaker who must decide when to pause, not us to interrupt. Their pain is not our pain. We must listen well but not take their burden upon ourselves. Having listened to the horrors, we must take time to de-stress. Heather Morris listens to music.

Heather Morris talks about the importance of listening to children too. Often as busy mums, we fail to listen and be fully engaged. We must learn to give children our full attention.

It is important to listen to ourselves too. We need to recognise and go with our gut reactions to situations.

Heather Morris gives us tips to help us to listen well and to encourage others to tell their stories. The stories that she shares, although at a terrible time, also speak of hope as people survived. They did what they needed to do to survive. It is important that we do not judge their actions.

I loved this quote from Lale:

“If you wake up, it’s going to be a good day.”

May we never forget the six million innocents.

Thank you Heather Morris for a powerful inspirational read.

I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

JULIA WILSON