Reflection 3

The third characteristic of Betsie ten Boom is her courage. She is not afraid to speak what is on her mind. She tells her family evrything she feels. Even though she speks her mind to people close to her she won't tell people in high places like matrons what she thinks becasue she is a quiet person who is very reserved.
She is very helpful as well. She likes helping people in need. They hold a special place in her heart. She cared for a little Jewish baby during all of the chaos. I think she is a very warm and generous person.

Reflection 2

A characteristic about Betsie I would like to talk about is her Faith. She has a tremendous amount of faith in her. She was a woman who prayed a lot during her life. She prayed daily. While she was in the concentration camps she thanked the lord for the fleas. I know I could never be so kind as to thank the Lord for fleas. This is just one of many ways Betsie shows her faith.

Reflection 1

The character I chose to write about was Betsie ten Boom. She is a wonderful character to write about. She is a gentle human being and is grateful for everything in this sometimes harsh world. She is also a very possitive woman. She never complains about anything. If something bad happens to someone in her family she always says that it happen for a reason and that we may go through life without knowing why it happened, but we know that it was for a good reason.

My Death Date

December 16, 1944

Hello, this is Betsie's sister. My name is Corrie. Today I am sad with all might heart to reveal to you that my beloved sister has past away. She was a wonderful woman and was so strong. I could never be as strong as she was. She was possitive about everything. I have to admit that I could never, ever beas strong as she is. It breaks my heart to know that my sister is gone. I will be with her again when I pass. I will meet her in Heaven. I love you Betsie!

My condition is worsening...

November 14, 1944

It is now mid- November and I have gotten so weak that I had to be put in the hospital on the campus. I am in terrible condition and it keeps worsening. I have dry, crusted lips, I have a fever, and I am weak. I pray to the good Lord everyday. I think I might not make it out of Ravensbruck, but I am certain that Corrie will and she will be fine without me.

Ravensbruck

September 8, 1944

On September 4th we bagan our painful journey form Vught to Ravensbruck in Germany. The ride to us for days to get there. We have just now arrrived today and have now been officially registered into Ravensbruck.
I am getting sicker and sicker as the days pass and I am also getting vbery weak. I had a dream about Corrie and I earlier. I had a dream the Corrie and I would be free. Alive and together for the rest of our days.

Vught

June 5, 1944

Today we thought somethign wownderful was going to happen, but sadly we were evr so wrong about that. Instead of being released and free Corrie and I were taken from Scheveningen to another concentration camp that was called Vught.
We were told to evacuate and bring all of our belongings with us. The train was so crammed. It seemed as though the train was going so slow that it was almost always at the speed the normally a train would be about to stop. I was wrong about that though that was just how I felt about.

The First Time of Any News

March 30, 1944

Corrie peaked out of the cell and people wer yelling across the halls. She took this time to ask about the people she knew.
"Where are the guards?"
Another woman answered her question. " They are all at Hitler's birthday party."
She found out that the following people were released: Peter van Woerden, Herman Sluring, Willem ten Boom, and Nollie van Woerden.a
Later we both found out that poor Father died after ten days in Scheveningen.

Scheveningen: Where it all starts...

March 1, 1944

"Women prisoners follow me!" said the matron. As we walked down the corridor the guard behind us said, " Prisoners walk to the side!" Then said, "Prisoners do not step on the matting." After saying our names and occupations for the thousandth time we continued down a long corridor. Once we got farther down the corridor the lond line of women halted in front of one of the large metal doors. She then put her key into the door and slowly opened. She looked at her lst and called out the name of the woman to be staying in that cell. Further down the corridor more doors were opened and women disappeared behind their doors constantly.
Later on the matron finally called Corrie's name. She was to share a cell with three other women. That was the last time I saw her for awhile.

Scheveningen

February 29, 1944

The bus that we were on took a two hour drive that brought us to the streets of The Hague. The bus stopped and we all marched out. We were infront of a new, functional building. There were rumors being spread that it was the new headquarters for the Gestapo. We continued to march and found ourselves in a lrage room. It seemed as though the process of taking down names , addresses, and occupation would never end.
One of the Gestapo spotted Father and cried out, " Did this old man have to be arrested?" The chief looked at the old man and said, " I would like to send you home, sir. I will take your word that you won't get yourself into anymore trouble."
Father said in respond, " If I go home today, without any doubt I will open my door to ANY man who knocks."
"Get back in line old man" the Gestapo said.

The Trap... Part 2

February 28,1944

Corrie went back upstairs after the talk with this man. After awhile she fell asleep because being sick just takes s much out of you. Inher dream she said she kept on hearing a bell ringing, but when she woke up it definately wasn't a dream. She had no idea what was going on. She didn't think there was a drill today. It wasn't a drill sadly enough. As she opened here eyes she could see the Jews rushing themselves into the secret room and going as fast as possible to shut the door.
The door flew wide open adn a man stood in the doorway.
"What is your name?"
"Cornelia Ten Boom."
"Get up. Get dressed. So your the ring leader, huh? Tell me now! Where are the Jews?"
"I am sorry but I have no idea what you are talking about."
"Let me guess...you have no idea about an underground ring either. Well, we will just have to see about that!"
She stumbled down the stairs wondering if the prayer meeting had ended and was also wondering if Willem, Nollie, and Peter had all gotten away safely. Then once she rounded the corner she saw Father, Betsie, and Toos all lined up against the wall sitting in chairs. A Gestapo named Kapteyn took her into the front room and slammed her against the wall.
"Where are the Jews?"
"There are no Jews here." Then the man struck her aggressively across the face.
"Where do you hide the ration cards?"
"I don't know what you are..." Then the man struck her again.
" Where is the secret room?"
" Lord Jesus," she cried, " protect me!"
" If you say the name again I'll kill you!"
)Thsi surely didn't get any better. Just worse.

Sorry...

February 28, 1944

I appologize for not writing in the past two years. Everything has been so calm and collected lately that it would've gotten less exciting reading about how calm all of the days were and how it was the same routine every single day. Well now I have more to write about since a man has come to my house in need of money to save his wife.

The Trap... Part 1

February 28 1944

This morning Corrie wasn't feeling good so she stayed in bed and rested for awhile. She opened her eyes from hearing all of the sudden commotion. The first person she saw was Eusie with his night clothes and his bedding. That stubborn old man. He would never work. Well, it was his peresonality and I had to respect it no matter how much it bugged me that he wouldn't help out around here. Her body felt like it had been lit on fire. She had influenza. Then she heard Henk, Meta, and Mary come throgh. All of our guests were entering the secret room. Then I came in and said to her, '' Corrie, there is a man downstairs that wishes to talk only to you. I am so sorry to disturb you."
" It's alright. I have to get out of bed anyway. The ration cards will be coming tomorrow."
"Yes." I said as I walked downstairs adn saw the man standing in the middle of the room with a sad and serious look on his face. I had noticed that the madn was from Ermelo.
"It is something much more serious." My wife has just been arrested. My wife and I were hiding Jews in our house. If she is asked to be questioned it would put all of our lives in jeopardy."
"I have no idea how I can help."
"Well...I would need six hundred guilders to give to the policeman who I can bribe for the amount."
"Any contacts?"
" Miss Ten Boom. This is a life or death situation and if I dont get that money now then my poor wife will be taken to Amsterdam and then it will be too late."
" Okey then. I'll get you the money."
" I will never forget this. Ever."

The Secret Room

July 9,1942

The process of the secret room had begun. Mr. Smit carried in tools in folded newspaper and bricks in briefcases. A few days later the secret room was complete. Once you walked into Corrie's bedroom an overwhelming scent of fresh paint filled the room. Built-in bookshelves were arranged along the false wall. On the left hand corner was another bookshelf. Beneath the bottom shelf was a sliding panel. This would be where the Jews would enter the secret room. The secret room was very skinny. It was only one cot wide. Corrie and I crawled throught the panel and tried to stretch out one the single mattress. It was a very small and confined space. Although it was a good thing to have a concealed vent that let in fresh air. Corrie and I could tell that this would be almost impossible for a Nazi to find his clever hiding place.

Mr. Smit's Inspection

July 8,1942

I heard a knock on the door today! It was Mr. Smit who Pickwick said would stop by to inspect the house. Father didn't quite know what was going on at first. He started to ask Mr. Smit if he was ralated t a man he knew. I stopped him before he finished that sentence though. He looked around the house. Once he stepped into Corrie's room he had an idea.
"I've got it! This will be the place where the secret room will be. It is perfect." This is my room Corrie thought to herself once he said that. She wanted to help people, but when it came to her giving up half of her room she though it went a little to far. She was telling me how it was a little awkward because she really wanted to say something to Mr. Smit, but she never wanted to tell him that he couldn't build a secret room. After all at this time we all had to pull together as a community and help each other out as much as possible. Eventually, Corrie told me she would be fine with it. I think she finally came to her senses about it. I was happy to see here fine with sharing a room.

Pickwick!

Later in the evening on July 5, 1942

After letting the family in Corrie looked out the door to see down the alley way and there way Kik.
"Come!"
"Now? Long after curfew?"
"Put a hand on my shoulder."
We rode down the alley way and through dark streets. At last infront of us stood a man...Pickwick! I couldn't believe my eyes! There he was sipping his black, Dutch coffee.
"Ask for Mr. Smit" Pickwick said in a whisper.
"It is the only last name in the underground."
I couldn't believe it! This was the real undergrounf! Then, how come I have never seen anyone apart of it? Where were all of these people from? I didn't know where they were all from. Then I realized that I was part of a national meeting. Wow!
Pickwick introduced me to a man not to far away form him.
"So I hear that there is no secret room in your headquarters?"
"No. There is no secret headquarters at the time."
"Okay. Then later I will send Mr. Smit to come and inspect the house."

Another unexpected visit

July 5, 1942

A few nights after Fred visited us the alley bell on the alley door ranged way past curfew. Corrie and I were expecting another refugee. We had already prepared the beds for the four new overnight guests. We opened the door. In the doorway was a woman and her three children. We welcomed them in. The children seemed more frightened then I had ever seen. They came in and are slowly getting comfortable with the place. I hope they don't feel like strangers because they aren't anymore. They are like part of the family.

Remembering Willem's advice

July 2, 1942

"You must develop your own sources." This phrase kept on coming back into my head. Then...it finally hiy me. Fred Koornstra was a friend and he has now become a source. I thought again and said to my self...we are friends with half of Harlem. We have friends that have all kinds of jobs in this town. We knew nurses at matenity hospitals and clerks at the Records Office. This could help us in so many ways. The only thing that might hinder the process would be the fact that we didn't know the political views of these people. God knew though. He is leading in a path and I shall take it.

The test of the ration card system...

July 1, 1942

Today would be the first test of our new system. Fred would come into the shop as he always would and hide the ration cards beneath the shirt so the manila envelope would not be visible. Fred was supposed to arrive here at the Beje at 5:30 this evening. Unexpectedly five minutes before Fred's scheduled arrival a policeman walks in. I had recognized him from before. His name was Rolf van Vliet. He was definately not one of my "regular" people that would come in and have coffee in the morning. Rolf had brought in a watch. He walked over to Father and handed him the watch. Father removed the back of the watch and examined it.
The only problem now was that there was no way for Fred Koornstra to be alarmed that he should not come in until after the policeman was long gone. Then at 5:30 in comes Fred with his chest a foot thicker at the least. Fred stayed calm and nodded to the policeman. Oddly enough Fred goes to the rear of the shop and shuts alley door behind him. Then he enters once more after he had placed the manila envelope with all the ration cards inside a secret bin. Corrie and I were only concerned about the fact that the policeman might have heard the secret lid open.
Since we had the ration cards now we were able to give the people the ration cards and find safe places to stay for the time being.

The following week...

June 11, 1942

Today Fred visited us. We all gasped when we saw him. His lip was cut and swollen. His eyes were a combination of green and purple. He had the ration cards. They were on the table in a brown manila envelope. It was a sigh of relief that corrie and I let out as soon as we noticed the envelope. In the manila envelope were passports to a safe place.
Fred, Corrie, and I discussed the fact that it would be entirely to risky to continue coming to his house each month. Instead, we had decided that he would visit the Beje every month in his meterman uniform so it would cause no suspicion. There. The whole plan was all set up. Fred would arrive around noon at the end of each month in his meterman uniform and give us the ration cards that were needed. Corrie, Father, and I hoped that the plan would work. We also hoped that we wouldn't get caught.

Fred Koornstra and Corrie's meeting

June 4, 1942

Corrie explained to me how the meeting went with Fred Koornstra yesterday evening. Of course, she had to say something about the man. She said that when he opened the door he stared blankly at her when she told him that she came to talk about the Sunday service. The man let her in and after he closed the door he asked, " Corrie, what is the real reason you came to talk to me?"
Corrie told me that she said a silent prayer to herself before answering the man's questions. The she answered, but with hesitance saying,"Fred, I must tell you that lately there have been some unexpected guests that have been arriving a few days apart. The first person was a single woman,the second was an elderly couple, and another couple arrived this afternoon when I returned to the Beje."The Corrie paused..then said, "They are Jews. We can find places for the people to stay, but they must provide something as well...ration cards."
"So now I know why you came over here, Corrie."
"Is there any possible way that you can give us some of the extra cards? More than you report?" "I cannot, Corrie. Those cards are accounted for in a dozen ways. They are checked and double-checked. Unless..."
"Unless what?"
"Unless there was a hold up."
"A hold up?"
"Yes. The bank was robbed last month. It was robbed around noon that day."
"Well, if the process happened around noon when only the record clerk and I were there and they found us tied up...I know the man who would do it! Do you remember..."
"I dont want to know the details just get the cards if possible."
Now we are just waiting for this whole thing to happen and hope that everything goes as planned and without disruptions. Well, I will talk to you soon. Hopefully by that time Corrie and I will have the rations cards. Till then...good bye.

An unexpected idea... Fred Koornstra

June 3,1942

"Earlier today as I was returning from my disappointing visit to Hilversum. While I was on my way beack home on the crowded train I had an idea. You and I both know Fred Koornstra. He was the man who used to read the electric meter. Currently, Fred has a job at the Food Office." Corrie said as she was explaining to me as she sat across the table with a cheerful grin on her face.
"Corrie...are you saying that we should ask Fred for the ration cards?"
"I am going after dinner to go and talk to him about the ration cards."
After dinner was finished Corrie rushed out the alley door and took her old biscycle for a ride to the Koornstra's house. I could see from out the window that Corrie tires weren't going to hold on much longer. A little was down the road where I could vaguely see her I noticed that she had stopped her bike took a look at her given out tires. I always knew thoses tires who give out one day. Then she just jumped right back on and proceeded down the road with only metal rims to go on. Not to forget that the roads' bricks were rigid and uneven. She rode her bike around the corner and I would not know what went on at the Koorstras house until she came back. I'll give you the information on the meeting tomorrow morning. Good bye.

My Trip To Hilversum

June 2, 1942

This morning I am preparing myself for the trip to Hilversum. I had to visit Willem because he would be the only person that could help me when I need help figuring out what to do with the three Jews staying with us at the Beje.
Once I arrived in Hilversum I found my way back to Willem's house. I told him that we were keeping three Jews right at the Beje.
''Could you get the Jews places to hide temporarily in the country?"
"Well, it is definately getting harder and harder each month. The soldiers are looking even harder now. They are even feeling food storage on the farms. I do have a few addresses, but the only problem is that the people there won't take anyone without a ration card."
"Jews are not issued ration cards though!"
"I am aware of that. I am also aware of the fact that the ration crads cannot be counterfitted."
As you can tell this whole thing is not going as smooth as was intended. I think Willem and I both realized the fact that these times are getting tougher and tougher by the day. It is as if nowhere is safe anymore. It's as if each man is in it for themselves. Ti think that this was only the beginning made it even more painful.
"The only way to iget you hands on ration cards...is to steal them."
"Steal them!"
"Well, will you steal the three ration cards that we need?"
"No! Corrie I can't steal ration cards. I am watched! Ever move I make at any hour of the day is watch! Don't you know that? I think you would be better off creating your own sources."

The night after prayer time

June 1, 1942

It was the next night. The day after the six of us had our evening prayer all together. Tonight we faced our dilemma. We all started to have bad thoughts. They were filled with thinking about the fact that we are a block away from the main police headquarters.
It was definately one of those times to go visit Willem. So in the morning I will take a train to Willem's house and talk to him about what has been happening. Well, I better get a good night sleep so I will be good and rested for tomorrow. I will let you know how it goes. I hope it does go well.
Sweet dreams!

The start of The Hiding Place

May 29, 1942

It has been a few days since Mrs. Kleermaker first knocked on our door. She is a very grateful woman and the first to be allowed to help Betsie in the kitchen. People would always ask Betsie if she would like them to assist her in the kitchen but she would always reply saying, " I'm just a fussy old maid."
Somehow it was different this time. Mrs. Kleermaker jumped out of her seat and began stacking plates and cups. We can now tell that she seems to be a very tidy woman.
Another knock was at the door. Strangely enough it was just about 8:00 which was around the same time that Mrs. Kleermaker knocked on our door. Outside the alley door stood an elderly couple. Corrie welcomed them in. They all seemed to have the same look on their faces. It was a look that all of us had on our faces these days. I face full of fear for what tomorrow would bring.

Two weeks later...

May 27, 1942

It has been two weeks since Peter was taken to prison. It is 7:55 p.m. and it's five minutes before our new curfew of 8:00. Father, Corrie, and I were seated around the dinner table. Father was replacing watches and I was doing needlework with our fat, black cat curled up in my lap.
We heard a knock on the alley door. Corrie went and glanced in the window mirror. She said that standing out in the bright spring sunlight was a woman. Corrie ran down the stairs and whipped the door open.
'' Can I come in?" She said sounded as though she was in fear.
''Of course!"
"My name is Kleermaker and I am a Jew."
''How are you?" I made a movement to relieve her of her small suitcase, but she grasped it tighter. "Would you like to come upstairs?" We went over to the staircase and went up and found Father and I. "Mrs. Kleermaker, I'd like you to meet my sister Betsie and my father."
"I was just about to make some tea", I said,"and you are just in time to join us."
Mrs. Kleermaker accepted the tea gratfully and told us about how her husband had been arrested months ago and also told us about her son going into hiding. Then, yesterday the political police came and told her that she would have to close her clothing store. She was to scared to return to the apartment above the store that she lived in.
Well, I think I should get to know Mrs. Kleermaker a little better so I'll be back tomorrow to tell you how it goes. Bye.

Peter has been taken!

May 13, 1942

It was a Wednesday morning and for the past few days we had all worried that Peter would be taken by the Gestapo. Everyday we would hear the police, Gestapo, and NSBers with there automobiles. They were the only ones to have automobiles these days. Two days after going to church we had decided that there we two possibilites. One being the fact that he was not reported to the Gestapo and the other being that they had more important things to focus their time on.
Just when we all started to calm ourselves down that morning Peter's little sister Cocky busts through the watch shop door! '' Tante Corrie! Tante Corrie! They took Peter away!" We all stared in disbelief.
"Where? When?" She was not sure though. Today we learned that he was taken to a federal prison in Amsterdam.

My sister's favorite nephew

May 10, 1942

Today is Sunday. It is a beautiful spring day and the sun is shining so bright! In about an hour or so I will be leaving to go to our Dutch reformed church in Velson. Velson is a small town near Harlem. Peter was going to be there as well. Peter is Corrie's favorite nephew. He is an organist in the church. He is so fantastic on the organ that he won an organist competition. The most impressive part was that he won against forty older men who had more experience then he did.
We loved hearing him play the organ. It was like he was meant to play the organ. It made us all happy even though the churches were all packed now due to the soldiers instructions. Now church was the only thing that helped us to keep our faith during this time of misery.
Well, it's time for church so I will talk to you soon. Good bye.

Mr. Weil

November 14, 1941

Today is drizzly morning in November 1941. It has been awhile since I last wrote, but today has not been the best day. A group of German soldiers were walking down the Barteljorisstraat and stopped in front of Weil's Furriers. Corrie and I looked out the window and saw Mr. Weil backing out of his shop. A gun was pressed against his stomach and the soldier led him a short distance from the shop and then went back inside the shop and shut the door. The next thing we heard was glass breaking and soldiers carrying out large loads of furs out the door. Next, the window above Mr. Weil's head opened and clothes poured out the window and onto the street. The man started to gather his clothes. Corrie and I ran across the street to help him.
Where is your wife, Mr. Weil? He did not answer. He only blinked at Corrie and I. We rushed him inside before the soldiers reappeared. When we got into the house we found Father at the dining room. He greeted Father calmly as a surprise to all of us. Later, Mr. Weil told us that his wife was not in town at the time. She was in Amsterdam visiting a sister of hers.
I felt for the man. I had to help in some way. I know God wanted me to help this man. We spoke about what we should do.
''I know! We can ask Willem. We could ask him where he would think a safe place is to hide. The only problem was that you couldn't really use the phone even if you had one because a soldier may be able to hear the conversation. I'll have to give it some thought and get back to you when I have made my descision. Bye.

100th Anniversary of Watchshop

January 16,1937

Good evening! It's me again. Today is the 100th anniversary of my father's watchshop. My grandfather- as i said in my last blog- was the person who started this watchshop in 1837. He passed away in 1891 at the age of 75. After gandfather died my father took over the shop.
Today has been a very good day. This morning after having breakfast with the family Corrie and I heard the bell ring downstairs. We had both rushed down the stairs. When we opened the door a beautiful bouquet of flowers covered th man's face. A few minutes later more flowers arrived at the door. By the end of the morning flowers decorated the whole entire downstairs. Beautiful bouquets and their aromas filled the room.

Later the children of Harlem poured into the watchshop. They all gathered around father. Some sitting on his lap. Father is very popular in the city. Everyone knows him and loves him.

Where Betsie Ten Boom comes from

January 15, 1937

Hi.My name is Betsie Ten Boom. I live in the upstairs living space in a watch shop in Harlem. I live with my sister, Corrie and my father, Casper. My mother dosen't live with us because she had passed in 1921 at the age of 63. I have two other siblings: Willem and Nollie. Nollie is the oldest of the four. Willem is second oldest. I am third oldest and Corrie is the youngest.

Corrie and I help our father downstairs in the watch shop. The watch shop repairs watches and is also a place for you to purchase watches. Corrie was the first liscensed woman watchmaker. She was very handy with her hands in order to become the first woman to accomplish such an honorable task.

Our grandfather Willem was the start of our family's watch shop. It is now celebrating it's 100th anniversary this year in 1937. It is exciting to have our family business last for one hundred years of repairing and selling watches!

During this long period, after grandfather Willem died Casper took over. The children in the city all loved him and thought of him as their own grandfather. Father always had that way about him that made everyone love him just as Corrie, Mama, Nollie, Willem, and I did. He was always welcoming and never turned anyone away. Everyone in the city liked him. He would even allow people in the city that needed a place to stay come and live in the upstairs with the rest of the family.