On Aug. 4, 1944, the Gestapo broke into a secret annex in an Amsterdam office building and arrested eight Jews. Anne Frank, 15, hurriedly packed one satchel and left behind her diary and other writings. Miep Gies, who helped sustain these Jews during their two years in hiding, rescued Annes papers and put them in her desk drawer, unread, until Anne returned from hell.
Miep Gies was unable to save the life of a young Jewish girl who dreamed of becoming a writer, but she did save her words for all the world to read, and cherish.
Throughout her long life, Miep Gies dismissed her heroic role in Anne Franks story. But without her intervention, there would be no story. To us, Miep Gies is a shining star, forever twinkling in the sky.
