DACHAU

In 1965, I toured Germany both east and west. It was before the nefarious wall separating the east from the west was torn down. During this time, I spent time in the concentration camp called Dachau. What I saw lives within me to this day. Seeing the ovens where the bodies of men, women and children were disposed of left me without words.

Darkness In mankind Is always lurking and must be acknowledged. History has repeated itself many times since World War two. Even religion has partaken in such inhumane and insane behaviour. Are there any cultures in history that can claim an Innocent past?

A man I deeply loved and admired did an unthinkable crime against me and my family. I knew I had to forgive but could not. I felt a darkness eating me up. I believed it was God who led me to the death camp not as a tourist but to deal with my decaying heart. Not in a verbal conversation but much deeper

He said son, "this kind of evil starts small but grows. Unchecked, you too can be as dark as those who did this." I did not identify with the victims but with those who did the deeds. It was there the growing flow of anger, hurt, and resentment hit a wall of truth I could not walk away from. No longer did I see this man as my problem. My personal right to justice was lost to the evil I saw in my heart and where it was taking me. What this man did to me revealed a darkness that would lead to great destruction of myself and all around me and most of all separate me from my Father in heaven and the power to live a healthy love-filled life.

It was I who needed to be forgiven and God in His marvelous kindness did forgive me. This camp of inhumanity became my dumping ground of resentment not just to this man but many others.

                       Love Dan