Hester is my grandmother, and she just celebrated her 96th birthday last week! The comments on this video are very touching, it’s amazing to see how many people have heard her story and been moved by it.

@laurenaf8367

Жыл бұрын

96... what a blessing. Happy Birthday, Hester ❤

@kkittycatkat1990

Жыл бұрын

Please tell her Happy Belated from a complete stranger who is over the moon that she is still here! For someone like me she is a beacon of hope & strength. We must remember that history repeats itself and I fear that it's doing just that. Regardless, Happy Birthday Hestor! You have been blessed and in return you have blessed us with your accounts of such a tragic history.

@MrViolaine26

Жыл бұрын

all around the world your grandmother will be know i am sure she is a good grandmother all love to all your family

@gillianzohnert2323

Жыл бұрын

That's amazing. What a beautiful redemption

@valentingarciaable

Жыл бұрын

I am so glad to run into someone that is related to Hester on here. And to me this is been a wonderful experience to hear her she was so exact and i love the maps... And it was such a pleasure to learn so many things I look at a lot of these videos and hers of course touched my heart very much and I have tears in my eyes please give her a hug from me. And I will see you all in heaven along with the Messiah

She was adorable. I loved how prepared she was with maps and pictures. I think her parents are very proud of her. And her family certainly is. ❤😊🙏🏼

@maryh3878

2 ай бұрын

I love how prepared she was too. Loved the visuals. What a lovely lady. ❤

What amazes me the most about these individuals who survived such horrors, is how they seem so kind and they still smile

@Pi.Kessa29

10 ай бұрын

You're right. They're bright from the inside of their soul

@lvncr

10 ай бұрын

It shows that good truly triumphs evil ❤

I LOVE that this woman had the Map and other things to help illustrate her story! Just wonderful !

@LoveDemi.XO_

Жыл бұрын

I love how she is very detailed and had the map as well.

@ivanaandric5703

11 ай бұрын

😂😂 Yea, she needed it for the americans watching, we in Europe sure don't need a map to find Holandia ( Holland) and it's cities 😂🤣😂🤣😂😂

Your cousin surviving Theresienstadt is absolutely miraculous and your survival thanks to that 15 year old girl is remarkable. She was your guardian angel for sure. Please accept my condolences on the loss of your parents and other family members. You do have a lot of intangible gifts from your mom and dad namely your beautiful smile, your strong heart, your indomitable will to carry on and now you will live on through your children and their children which honors your parent's legacy. God bless you and thank you and your children for helping share your story. You are a remarkable family.

@sheilatruax6172

11 ай бұрын

@Repent and believe in Jesus Christ Leave people alone, please.

@barbsmart7373

10 ай бұрын

@@repentandbelieveinJesusChrist9 You don't appear to have much self discipline, power OR love, mate! Your projection stands out here like a sore thumb. Why don't YOU repent as it is clear that YOU need to turn your focus inward and take a good look at yourself. I can tell you without a shadow of a doubt, that this speaker has volumes of remarkable power, wonderful love and exceptional self-discipline. You are absolutely in the wrong place for preaching. Speaking of that awesome guy Jesus, he wouldn't think much of your level of love, acceptance or humility if he was here today. Sort yourself out, mate and stop being so offensive. You are asking for backlash if that's what you are after. The rest oof us will go on and continue with our own forms of self-reflection and spiritual ascension thanks. Probably most will ignore someone like you.

@projectionv.accountability1010

2 ай бұрын

Well said!

When we complain about trivial things, just listen to the stories of the survivors, like this brave lady, of the Holocaust and realize how lucky we are. She endured heartbreaking and terrifying years as a young Jewish girl. She used her wit to finally escape and make it to freedom in the USA. My father was in the US Army and fought in the 3rd Army under General Patton. He never sweated the small stuff and appreciated the simple things in life. I know there were many atrocities he must have experienced, that he didn't talk about. He landed on Omaha Beach on D-Day and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. Through a miracle he survived and made it back to the USA where he was a civilian for a very short time. He re-enlisted in the Army after marrying my mom, I was born in 1948. He was stationed in Germany when I was just six years old. I remember I was in first and second grade at one of the American Army schools for Army brats like me. When we would go shopping off base to some of the German cities there was still a lot of remnants of buildings that had beened bombed down by the USA and our allies. I asked my dad why there were so many buildings like that, because at 6 or 7 years of age I didn't have a clue. My dad simply replied that there was a war. We also went on a tour of one of the concentration camps. Being so young I still didn't know much about the Holocaust. I do remember the part of the tour where they showed us the gas chamber. Jewish prisoners were told it was a public shower, because the ceiling grates appeared to be like shower heads. As I grew up and became more educated, I realized the great cruelty of that insane monster Hitler. Sorry, I think I have gone at length, but we must never forget.

@k.williams6846

Жыл бұрын

+q++

@lorileclair1402

Жыл бұрын

God Love U

@michaelwhisman

Жыл бұрын

Our troubles are nothing. I have known many people who survived the war from all European countries.

@jennikifm2

Жыл бұрын

Yeah. The Holocaust is one of the worst things in history. It wasn’t just Jewish people who were victims. It was also non Jewish people. Roma, Sinti, etc. And Shitler wasn’t the only monster. Same with most- not all- of his crazy Nazis like Josef Mengele, Amon Göeth, just to name some. I feel sorry for survivors and victims of these psychos and I also feel sorry for all the others that died. And also for victims of Unit 731, in Japan and in China. They all never survived. Unit 731 is similar to the experiments conducted in Auschwitz.

@sistagalsistagal8136

Жыл бұрын

Great story. I liked ready your memoirs. Thanks .

I was born in Den Haag in 1937.. I am not Jewish but there is so much in your story that I can relate to, God bless you and yours. Oh, I live in Australia since 1951.

@GordoAlbondigas

Жыл бұрын

Would love to hear what you experienced during those times.

I am just crying and crying. Because this is my family. The uncle from Antwerp was my grandfather.

@successfulperson3304

6 күн бұрын

Bless you snd your family

This is such an inspiring story. My heart is sad for her losses but I'm so proud of her for her bravery. Thank you Hester for telling your story ❤

I cannot imagine how terrifying this whole era would have been for a child, nor how difficult to navigate the dangers alone. Kudos to your spirit and fortitude to survive, thrive and make a record of what happened so it will never be forgotten.

@judithfourie983

Жыл бұрын

P

I started crying even before I started this video. She was & is such a brave & strong woman. God bless her.

A wonderful lady whose destiny was quite different from the rest of her family. It’s bittersweet for the survivors

@mintieu

9 ай бұрын

I believe she was kept for a specific purpose favor favor even blessed with old age

She is a very good story teller....love and peace

I'm so sorry. What a hard childhood you had. As I listened to you talk dispassionate about your past, I thought, "How brave she is and was to go through all that as a young person and then to face those memories so bravely, too, as an adult." Thank you for sharing your life story.

@annameyer325

Жыл бұрын

😢

@soundlycreative

Жыл бұрын

@Repent and believe in Jesus Christ this isn’t doing what you want it to.

❤ BLESSINGS to you Hester and yours ! How wonderful that your life story of sadness and great strength is now being shared with the world !

Absolutely amazing. My God, what these people lived through. We are so fortunate to have their stories. It's so difficult to even conceive of the magnitude of lost lives...

@franklinstephen3268

Жыл бұрын

Hello 👋how are you doing?

@janupczak1643

Жыл бұрын

@@franklinstephen3268 I'm well thank you! Hope the same for you. Happy 2023!

@franklinstephen3268

Жыл бұрын

@@janupczak1643 Happy new year to you, it’s nice meeting with you here. Where are you texting from?

How precious that green poetry book must be to her 💔

Thank you for telling your story. It needed to be told.

Unimaginable to see your family for the last time walking away. Thank you for your bravery for telling your story

And many think they had a rough life growing up. An amazing journey for you Hester to some how go with the tide that overwhelmed you, tested you and stole your family and childhood from you but you managed to come out of it all onto a shore to a second chance at life. Your strength, endurance and dignity is so inspiring. Your family that passed away in that horror would be so proud of you that you are a living testament to them and carry their legacy forward.

Even tho it's a painful story, it has been narrated beautifully!. Such an amazing lady!

My goodness, Hester's story was gripping from start to finish and she's an excellent witness/storyteller. I could see her story unfolding in my mind's eye.

What a remarkable story and you narrated it all so well. You are still smiling and managed to build yourself a new life after all the trauma. ❤

Her parents knew that she would be safe if she worked in that factory. Also makes me sad to hear that she felt bad leaving the family that “hid” her but also abused her ❤😢

@lamashtu3449

Жыл бұрын

Oh shut up they risked their damn lives to save her, how dare you accuse them of abusing her. They are much better humans than you are.

Dankie vir jou verhaal! Ek voel so sleg vir jou! Hoe kan hulle sulke dinge aan jou doen? 'n Jong dame!! Groete van Süid-Afrika!!!

What a glorious person.

Fascinating. You have a wonderful spirit Hester, thank you for recording your experiences.

This is such a wonderful story of survival, to share with the next generations.

​ Thank you so much for telling your life story so ppl can learn from this! It's such an honor to be able to hear a recount of the war from someone who was actualy there and lived and survived through all those atrocities. I to have grandparents of course, my grandma (my mothers ma) she joined the partisans with the rest of her family, while my grandpa, her future husband lived on a small island Drvenik Mali near Trogir. His family (parents and grandparents) hid his fathers sister who married a man born of a hebrew faith (she changed her faith (which was none😂, some sort of christian but she wasn't even christened, but she still underwent a long and demanding processe before they couldvhe weeding) and their five children, from ages about 16 to 8, plus her parents and her brother, his wife and their two daughters (their son joined the partizans). They hid them in the basemant and everything was allright before the capitulation of Italy in 1943 when the Italians left and the Germans came. Because everyone who lived on the island knew they were hidding there (i mean it wasn't exactly a big house) and when the Germans came in 43 it became extrenly dangereos because there was two many ppl in the house so my grear grand mother took my grandfather and his two yonger brothers and went in zbjeg (I don't know how to translate exept run away) in El Shat, in Egipt - a lot of women with small children did that. My grandpa is 3 years younger than my grandma (his future wife, the one that went to partisans, he was the oldest, 13 and his brothers Jozo and Misha, 9 and 7. They had the oldest brother Antonio, 17 who run away with partisans and died during the fighting. But the real tragedy was that right near the end of the war Germans gave orders they everyone must emptied the island and sent everyone to be stationed in Split and one of the Germans found out they had no papers or weren't registered on the island and they killed - shot them all, my grandpas sister, her small children, her husband, his family and everyone who lived in the house. They always considered Slavs inferier people (not Arian enough I guess) even though they all had blue eyes and white skin (black or brown hair though) it was a punishment for hiding Hebrews and warning to others (one other family hid Hebrew relatives too but they run away to America via Lisabon just before Italy capitulated- that family, Tironi, had lot more money because they owned the only mill and bread shop on the island, plus they hid just 3 persons, a couple and a child, and they still had to leave their 5 year old boy but they returned for him after the war ended (and they had huge problems with their visa because of laws back then that you can't leave the US for 5 years or something like that. My fathers father joined the partisans, got tuberculoses and died after the war, but the fact he joined partisans stoped comunists from taking all his land and nationalizing it. Those were brutal times but the sadest thing is how short of a memory ppl have and how quicly they forget. The sadest is that people learned nothing from the horrors of holocoust and when someone learnes nothing they are destened to repet the "lesson", one way or the other.

Hester I'm sorry this happened to you and your family😢. Bless you. Thank you for sharing your story; brave lady. Love and peace ❤️

An immense privilege to listen to your important and moving testimony. Thank you for sharing.

Thank you so much for your testimony. God bless you and your family 🙏🌺

So brave! I love you Hester. I am American/ Jewish blonde hair and green eyes. Was a Bat Mitzvah. @ 25 yo I moved to Switzerland. Long story short I lived on the border of Germany. Turs out same that the Swiss returned Oskar Schindler. I traveled to Munich, took a local bus to Dachau. Not one German showed acknowledgement of the Camp. Had German friends, not one would say anything except their grandparents had nothing to do with it. Still so shocking.

She is so sweet, I thank her for sharing her childhood life story with us

Oh my ! How sad! What a beautiful lady and as I listened to her I admired her strength at recounting the terrible time of the war and so sad for her loss of her parents and family.. bless her 🙏🏼

Thank you for sharing your story. My mother and her family are also from the Netherlands, they lived near Leeuwarden. After the war they migrated to Australia. They are not Jewish but also suffered terribly during the German occupation of the Netherlands. Bless you.

Thanks for sharing your amazing survival story, dear Hester!! What a tough time you went through, early on in your life.

When I started to translate this little book to my son I began to cry for this little girl, but I had to remember this little girl was me. I am so happy that she could reflect back on such a horrible time and figure it was her beginning and grieve for her...but in all here years the hurt, loss and heartache of that young women was replaced by on who LIVED. ❤️ She said a lot of moving things in this interview be for me that and her daughter telling her to not be sorry for moving across an ocean...giving her a new life and a new start. WOW! She lived, so I am so happy she was able to do so and glad her daughter helped her see that.

Thank you Helen, for your testimonial. Bless your memory! It is so important to know and remember what atrocities happened under the Nazi’s. And it did not happen far away, long ago. And it can happen again if people are racists and nationalists! ( I was born in ‘62, raised in Amsterdam and always go to the beach in Zandvoort.)

It’s time us people starting putting more of these stories in limelight and focus more on using this to fight other evils in the world as it all connects. Social media should be used to address these stories and help us yes not forget though build passion and character to bring more justice and a human standard to not allow this again- rather than celebrity worshipping

@maxsmith695

Жыл бұрын

82 years old ?

@marymcguffin9370

Жыл бұрын

I watch all of these holocaust programs, my heart cries for these poor people, I can't imagine being so mean and hateful to so many innocent people, sometimes it's hard to watch. God bless all those poor souls, may they never be forgotten ❤

She’s wonderful and a strong lady physically as well to have survived such a horror. I’m so glad she is got a family and she’s happy. I wish her a long life with her loved ones. Thank you for your heart felt testimony. ❤️

We must never forget!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

@teresahiggs4896

Жыл бұрын

And never allow it to happen again.

@elvinkrigsman6956

Жыл бұрын

It’s happening to the Kurds, ulghars, and now Ukrainians right now

I love the fact she used the map to give us an idea of where everything is. And all the other items to prove these atrocities really happened.

I just love it that she still has a thick Dutch accent..

Thank you 🙏 for your story Hester watching you I had tears in my eyes It was heartbreaking what you went though, (R.I.P. to all the victims who died)

Being a German I am so very sorry and ashamed of what my people did to you and your people. I'm glad you are such a strong woman and I wish you all the luck in the world.

@ingeposch8091

Жыл бұрын

it is not your fault that at one time there was a government that treated people so poorly in your country...

@isabelakristinapercinic5329

Жыл бұрын

Dear Elisabeth,it is not your fault,you did not do this.I lived through war as a child and I hoped no war will ever happen again but now Ukraine...so sad.

@Ruckduck72

Жыл бұрын

It is not your fault Elisabeth

@janetblanc7658

Жыл бұрын

Elizabeth, unfortunately there are people capable of such evil in most countries. We just need to be aware and to do everything we can to stop them taking power.

@marilyn6556

Жыл бұрын

Dear Elisabeth, You do not have to be sorry for the things that you didn’t do. What happened during the war could happen anywhere, at any time, because of the beliefs of the country’s leadership, and lies told to the population. We must all be vigilant, so it doesn’t happen again. You show yourself to be a very high morals person, to apologize for your forefathers deeds. Thank you for your kindness!

Wow! What an amazing woman. Thanks for sharing your story.

I want to hug this woman.

What a sad story. Her perseverance is stunning. Thank you for sharing her story with the world.

Everyone needs to be on guard and make sure that this NEVER happens again! 6 million lives snuffed out, 6 million dreams dead… if those people had lived think what they might have contributed to the world.

Facinerend en heel oprecht hoe zij alles vertelt . Ben blij dat ze een goed leven had na al deze gebeurtnissen. Een typies Nederlands optimismus zie je in haar doen en laten. Respekt voor jou en je familie

I loved Hester’s story. Thank you for sharing it.

Strong courageous lady what a heartbreaking life 💔

She was very good at the details and with the visual part ,maps,letters etc... Wished she could get the candle holder back.

I’m always blow away by each survivor telling their stories….it will be shared & stayed in my heart forever 🙏🏻💝🇺🇸🕯️🕯️🕯️…..they should’ve have the highest of Aliyah’s……RIP sweet souls ….

These videos really show the "other" stories of these survivors. God bless her and her family...

After such a difficult childhood, it is good to see that found happiness after the war. Her testimony is most engaging.

Don't laugh. The Jews of Europe never expected what happened. You are not 100% immune to horrors.

WHAT A WONDERFUL WOMAN I AM SO GLAD SHE DID NOT HAVE TO GO TO THOSE CAMPS BUT I AM SO SORRY MOST OF HER FAMILY WERE KILLED ESPECIALLY HER PARENTS

Some absolutely amazing people survived to tell their stories so that we could’ve vigilant, we need to keep listening. Amazing woman with fantastic recall.

Thank you for this. You have made a significant contribution to future generations. God bless you!

She's a very nice lady. I'm Glas she shared her story with us. 96 years old and going strong! My best regards.🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

Hester is so personable, organized, and a great orator ! I loved how she explained everything such as cities-locations her expetiences- how she felt, etc. I just loved her and would like to thank you Hester for sharing your experience and your story during the holocaust.

When I was watching this video I thought I got nothing to complain about .thank you for sharing what happened to you

It is so terrible and yet to smile at some things you remember is a testament to your brave and beautiful soul.

@maxsmith695

Жыл бұрын

The Red Cross did a great job delivering 1200 care packages each Friday to the people in the Auschwitz camp . Money was also delivered and was exchanged for camp currency to buy items in the general store. No such programs offered in Soviet Gulags.

What a blessing ❤️ the poem book is. Messages from her mother, father and brother. You have given such a gift Humankind - be both

As a former marine fighting in Afghanistan I've seen my share of cruelty but nothing compares to what this lady went through. What a lovely woman and story

@andrewcross8244

Жыл бұрын

Lol another “I served in Afghanistan” statement. Ya know. When people ask me where I served I give them my FOB and a physical location. Too many liars out there

@a_leaf

Жыл бұрын

Ya everyone likes a nice lovely story. I'm sure the orphans your kind killed in Afghanistan will have similar stories that will make you feel warm inside that sadistic thing you call a heart.

My father and his family lived in The Netherlands. My aunt and uncle were in the resistance. This ladt reminds me of my oma.

This history is so critically important. I do grieve for his woman and all of the people who suffered, and those who were murdered so horrifically. I so admire this woman and all who share their experiences that prove that these things happened. I am grateful for all who tell their history, and I watch so that I/we do not ever forget. Much respect to this woman.

Dankuwel voor het vertellen van uw verhaal.

Amazing story ❤ she survived and yet you can tell she has a loving and joking personality. I hope she had true happiness for the rest of her years

Already reminiscing ... my bubbe and Papa used to measure and tell time that way: 3/4 of an hour, ten minutes till two ... I'm now 55 years old and told my son the time that way and he said, "Huh? What time is it?". Memories. ❤️

On one hand, those people who hid her saved her from the horrors of the concentration camp. On the other hand, their motivation is that they wanted a free slave worker who would do all the household chores and take care of the kids, and they were unfriendly too. I’m on the fence as to whether these people should be praised or not!

@clabals

Жыл бұрын

Indeed. I need to know more about similar cases to understand their true motif. It is a good thing that she was strong enough to chose for herself despite the egoism of these people.

@paularobinson2352

Жыл бұрын

But they were putting their lives on the line as well. If that was how they would have treated their help, Jewish or not, they would have been noticed if it changed.

@shadowsinmymind9

Жыл бұрын

They most likely didnt have the money to pay her. It was a very difficult time economically and everyone had little money. They didnt even have money for most foods. Like Hester said, she was given bone broth to eat because there was nothing else to eat. They were good for helping her but after the war it was not necessary for her to babysit anymore. Maybe they would miss her if she left? Either way, the family didnt abuse her. She was fed and hidden well for two years when any other family could of given her up to the Germans out of fear

@OOpSjm

Жыл бұрын

Not sure how she was a slave in this situation? They shared their rations. If they were caught with her like others were they would be dragged out (most likely the father) and shot in the street as an example.

@projectionv.accountability1010

2 ай бұрын

Um. What??? It's also important to remember that keeping her active and working while lonely would have been very important. Vital, in fact. She admitted that she was quite spoiled previously, so any work seemed much worse regardless- again, something she acknowledged. As a family who would have been shot dead on the spot for harboring her, as well as having to ration their own supplies which gave them less, it's quite unfair to say to that their "motivation" was to have "a free slave worker". Your view sounds extremely USA privileged, where everything is seen in the absolute worst way and in your own current day standards. I'm pretty sure she, and her children she was able to have because of that family, would rather have her changing diapers if the alternative was... oh... I don't know, DYING IN A GENOCIDE. I can't believe that was what you took from this. I'm truly second hand embarrassed for you.

What a beautiful woman, thank you so very much for sharing your story and history with everyone, my heart goes out to you and hopefully everyone can learn from you. Much love to you and your family from New Hampshire in the USA ❤❤ Your strength is so amazing ❤❤

We are blessed to hear her story. God bless her. ❤

Hester- You spoke well. Thank- you so much for being willing to share your experiences and educate others about what happened to you. May each person who hears your story be changed inside. I can tell you have done a lot of work, processing and organizing your thoughts as well as preparing to have a presentation that others can remember and connect with.

Thank you so much Hester and family for your testimony. I truly appreciate all involved .

Many unique anecdotes here for the history of that terrifying time. The map also made this account more relatable, and everything about it clearly points out the unceasing fear and misery of being hunted by warped and deadly humans. Thank you to her and for producing this.

I'm born in Africa. Our ancestors came from Holland as well. And looking at you make me think about my grandparents on my father side. My eye color is also greenish. If there is any Jewish blood in is, only the Heavenly Father knows. But we all have a desire to turn back and learn Torah from a Jewish point of view. Blessings dear Hester. I'm thanking God for keeping you and blessing you. Ma

What an important story to tell. Thank you so much. ❤

Hester is amazing. I loved how she showed maps and sure held my attention. What a swwet 96 year old women.❤Anne Abraham😊

You became orphan been so little...I am in tears right now...I love you Hester..

A great hero here! Take note and learn history young people!

I'm so glad Hester didn't have to experience the death camps. I'm so glad she survived 💛

God bless you and your family 🙏🌺. Could listen to her for houers 🎧

Could not even bring myself to imagine the horror of what all those poor souls went through. God bless your souls..

My family left on the last ship out of Amsterdam. My uncle was born there and is 91. Also first went to the Dutch West Indies.

What a wonderful lady, she went through so much! I wonder why the man she was staying with wouldnt sign for her to go to her grandfather? He risked his life, and his wife and children hiding her. If someone had betrayed them, they probably all would have been killed. Perhaps he thought she "owed" him, or there was perhaps there was genuine affection to her from the children and he wondered how they would cope without her. They would have to pay a nanny/ housekeeper lot more money. Such a tragic story, I don’t even want to think how her aunt felt hiding her baby, knowing she would probably never see her again. I wonder how many others that fifteen year old girl saved. She truly was a heroine. Thank you for sharing your story lovely Hester xxx

What an incredible story! Thank you for sharing! I wish this was a novel so I could hear more.

What a sweet lady, I hope she is/was well loved in her life

Thank you so much for sharing this treasure with us!

I could listen to Hester all day, her memory is excellent. DOD BLESSED this beautiful woman.

To any Jewish person, even though the suffering is sooooo unbearable, you according to the bible are The Apple of Gods Eye. God Bless you

Thank you for telling your story. God bless everyone who went through the holocaust.

So very sad about the deaths of her mother, father, and brother at Auschwitz’s.

I love that she used maps and other demonstrable documents.

What a hard life as a teen. If was a good thing that Helen just happened to be friends with a girl who was part of the resistance and got her a safer place to live. Yet, Helen was made to live in the attic and eat alone. But, great fully she was never found by the Nazi’s! It was a hard time after the war. Thankfully, Helen’s Grandfather, and aunt and uncle and daughter’s all survived!

@aureliapop561

Жыл бұрын

This people that made "sleep and eat alone " risked their lives and their children life to save her....

@shadowsinmymind9

Жыл бұрын

Of course she was made to stay alone at times. Because they were hiding her from the Nazis...

Thank you for sharing your story

My mouth can not express the feelings in my heart. Thank you

Thanks to whoever took the time to document this. History books are just one version of a era. Hearing from people who were there is important. Documenting history, like the person who wrote the book she found that was important to her, is such a crucial thing. Especially in this age of alternative facts.