As Irene began to physically retrace and unravel her father’s Holocaust survival story in Germany and the Netherlands, she felt an inexplicable yet palpable sense of being guided. The “signs” she experienced led her to believe she was on the right path. Cherries, buildings, and symbolic trees emerged and reemerged in seemingly mysterious ways. Experience your own sense of wonder about our interconnectedness in the world and consider: What is coincidence and what is “beschert,” meant to be? What does “beschert” really mean? If we open our eyes and hearts to our experiences, what can we learn? How can we grow and connect?
Irene Stern Frielich is the author of an award-winning memoir, Shattered Stars, Healing Hearts: Unraveling My Father’s Holocaust Survival Story. She lives in Sharon, MA where she runs her instructional design consulting company, EnVision Performance Solutions. She and her husband, Seth, treasure moments with their grown kids, Jonah, Josh, and Josh’s partner Addie. Irene enjoys playing flute; kayaking, biking, and snowshoeing; and is an avid cook and home entertainer.