A few weeks ago, folks celebrated the 25th anniversary
of the fall of the Berlin Wall. As I
saw photos and video clips on the news, I was reminded of the time that we
spent in Berlin; it’s hard to believe that it’s been six years!
History has always been my favorite subject and
back when I was in middle school/high school, I fell in love with Europe and the
World War II/post-war eras. I’m not
really sure why, it just resonated with me in some weird way. I’m half German; at least I’m embracing the
culture of my people! (Andy says that’s
where I get my stubbornness and my constant need for order and efficiency.) I’m would never classify myself as “a
reader,” but I’ve devoured countless books on the topic. If it takes place in Europe between the 30’s
and the 50’s or 60’s, I’ll read it. Same
with movies. I was one happy lady when I
finally had the opportunity to visit Germany.
My favorite place? Berlin.
We were only there for a couple of days and nights; I wish we could have
stayed for a month! I was so happy there
and I will always cherish the memories of the time spent there with my
Mister. It’s my happy place. I'm not kidding about that - ask my masseuse! The food, sights, romantic nights, walks in the
rain, countless photos…we spent part of the time on our own and part of the
time with my sister-in-law and brother-in-law (who is German). It was absolutely perfect.
One of
the highlights for me was a walking tour that we took of famous historic Nazi/WWII
sites. We spent several hours traipsing
around the city visiting all of these incredible sites and buildings that I had
spent a lifetime reading about. History came alive! We felt the lingering oppressive air in parts
of (what used to be) East Berlin. We
touched bullet holes that remain in the walls more than sixty years later. We saw memorials to those who lost their
lives. We read the texts from a press
conference in which a Party official said, "Niemand hat die Absicht, eine Mauer zu errichten!" (No one has the intention of building a wall!) But that was clearly a lie. We saw the Wall. And although there is no way for us to
comprehend the enormity of what that meant to those who lived on the other
side, separated from their loved ones, we stood there and soaked it all in; we breathed history and we
imagined what it would have been like to be living there in another time.
So today, as I ponder the recent anniversary of
the opening of the borders, I remember those who gave their lives attempting to
flee and instigate change, and I’m thankful for those who helped to bring an
end to a terrible time in history. I pray that it can be a reminder of lessons learned and that history won't repeat itself. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to walk those very streets and I am ever hopeful to one day return for an extended stay.
In my own very minuscule way, I remember the
Wall.
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