Sachsenhausen was eye-opening. I continue to reflect on what I saw. You read about the concentration camps and learn about the history. Seeing it in person was a whole different type of insight. The town surrounding the camp was a little town that seemed moderately new. Lunch at the grocery store was real nice. The models of the camp were interesting as one saw the triangular shape of the camp. An ideal design for maximum security and kill ability. The road approaching the entrance had many signs that allowed one to see history and a timeline of the camp. The entrance to the camp struck one right away. The tower seemed to have malice to it. Before walking through the gate that read Work makes one free, you got to see the inside of the commanders hut where those in control of the camp used to live. You learned of the horrors crimes before entering. Once inside, my brain began to imagine. The space in front of you was empty, but you knew at a time it had not been. You knew it had been a place of pain and sorrow. The thing that hit me the most as I walked around past examples of what barracks, camp defenses, and the public buildings was I stood here three quarters of a century later in the same place. My mind conjured up images of prisoners running for the shoe test and soldiers standing watching waiting for someone to slip up. The crematory and morgue were where I felt an inability to imagine. I didn’t want to. I’ve seen faces in pain and suffering. There always seemed to be a gleam of hope in those eyes. I went on a mission trip to Haiti and that’s what I saw. Less fortunate faces but with a gleam. I imagined those faces without that hope. No gleam. That’s what struck me. One can be poor and be happy. Freedom gives one that hope. I can’t imagine life without that hope. Having to search to find sparks of happiness.I want to be thankful and continue to seek happiness and help others who seek it. Never let someone feel like there is not hope.