We’ve learned about the suffering prisoners endured inside the camps, but how did they protect their sanity and survive such horrors? It all boiled down to where they placed their focus. Some prisoners found solace in their memories of loved ones and the past, mentally escaping the terror and brutality. Those who could find happiness in their memories tended to have a better chance of survival.

In the harsh reality of the camps, there was little relief as they endured grueling labor with minimal clothing in the cold. Love, however, could provide fulfillment. Imagining conversations with loved ones, even if only in their minds, was something the camp guards couldn’t take away. Even small memories brought relief, like remembering the simple act of switching on lights in their own bedrooms back home. A few prisoners discovered comfort in nature and humor. A beautiful sunset or a cute bird offered them moments of happiness, even if fleeting. During their brief lunch breaks, prisoners organized small gatherings, distracting themselves with songs and performances.

There were even moments when prisoners found humor, often by imagining the future after their release and joking about how their camp routines might affect everyday situations. For example, they might sit at the family dinner table and humorously ask for soup from the bottom of the bowl, where the camp’s few nutritious peas were found.