Source: Team_Talk
Pompey's woes put into perspective
Avram Grant will lead Portsmouth out at Wembley for the FA Cup semi-final and then fly to Auschwitz to mark Holocaust Remembrance Day. [LNB] The 54-year-old Israeli will take part in the 'March Of The Living' in honour of those who died during World War II.[LNB]Grant's father Meir fled his native Poland as a 13-year-old in 1941 for the far north of Russia, where he lost his parents and five siblings after they froze or starved to death in the harsh conditions.[LNB]The Portsmouth manager first learned the story at 15, when he heard his father screaming in his sleep.[LNB]But the fortitude shown by Meir - whose name in Hebrew means 'giving light' - during those dark days has remained with Grant as he tackles the most difficult period of his managerial career.[LNB]"My father was a survivor of the Holocaust," said Grant, whose father passed away three months ago, aged 82.[LNB]"He buried his father and mother, brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, and he was the most optimistic guy I ever met.[LNB]"I miss my father a lot, he came to many games.[LNB]"I always remember, but to come to this day is very special. I have sport on one side and this on the other.[LNB]"Everybody needs to learn from my father. Even though he suffered so much, he looked always at optimism and never hated anybody, even the people who did what they did.[LNB]"I learnt from my father that first you always have to be strong with yourself, which has helped me because life is not always black and white.[LNB]"He said it is better to be foolishly optimistic than right and pessimistic."
