The Choice

for me to relive the past than it was to survive Auschwitz. In
Auschwitz, I could think only about my survival needs; to write this
book required that I feel all of the feelings. I couldn’t have taken the
risk without your strength and love.
And thank you to my children’s and grandchildren’s beautiful
spouses and life partners, the people who keep adding branches to the
family tree: Rob Engle, Dale ompson, Lourdes, Justin Richland,
John Williamson, and Illynger Engle.
My nephew Richard Eger—my Dickie-boy—and his wife, Byrne,
thank you for being true relatives, for watching over me and my health
and celebrating holidays together.
When our first grandchild was born Béla said, “Three generations—
that’s the best revenge to Hitler.” Now we are four! ank you to the
next generation, to Silas, Graham, and Hale. Every time I hear you call
me GG Dicu my heart goes pitter-patter.
Eugene Cook, my dancing partner and soul mate, a gentle man and
a gentleman. ank you for reminding me that love isn’t what we feel
—it’s what we do. You’re there for me always, every step and every
word. Let’s keep dancing the boogie-woogie as long as we’re able.
Finally, the people who word by word and page by page helped me
bring this book into being, a collaboration that from the beginning has
felt meant to be:
e talented Nan Graham and Roz Lippel and their able staff at
Scribner. How lucky I am to have been sent the most qualiĕed editors
with hearts as brilliant as their minds. Your editorial wisdom,
persistence, and human compassion helped this book become what I
always hoped it could be: an instrument of healing.
Esmé Schwall Weigand, my cowriter—you didn’t just ĕnd the
words. You became me. ank you for being my ophthalmologist, for
your ability to see my healing journey from so many different
perspectives.