Well, yes, I know that my last post was about a year ago.
I really can’t think of a valid excuse for my tardiness, except that life presented me with some personal challenges (like it does to everyone). Now, please don’t think that I wish to complain, but it is true that every day gets a bit more challenging, when you are not eighty anymore. On the plus side of things,I have to say that the advancing age presents you with a mature mind. You see many more opportunities than in your younger years. Sometimes it gets downright impossible to sit down, and concentrate on writing, while you see countless possibilities slipping away. Never the less, I attempted to finish my second book of the Kellner Chronicle series in a timely manner. But, I am sorry to say that it is still not ready to be published. Give me another month, or so. Please.
Let’s see, I wanted to post about a thought provoking incident which occurred about two weeks ago.
The fourteen year old daughter, of a friend of mine, asked me for a favor. Apparently she worked on a class assignment to write about the generation gap.Somehow she figured that I looked old enough to be interviewed. Wondering about the subject matter myself, I had no objection.
Most of her questions were direct, and simple to answer. Then it got more complicated.
“How old were you, when you got your first phone?” She asked.
“I never got a phone” I answered. “I saved my money until I was able to buy one.”
I must have hit a sore spot, because she exchanged looks with her father. “How old?” she repeated.
“Twenty five,” I answered truthfully.
She rolled her eyes in disbelief. “What are your first memories?” she continued her questions.
“Do you mean my first memories, or my most dreadful ones?” I asked in return.
“I mean your first ones,” she maintained.
Her insistence caused me to think hard. There were birthdays, but I could not exactly remember when they happened. Then it came gradually back to me. “I remember cleaning and polishing my dad’s shoes, every evening, before I was permitted to go to bed..”
“You did what?” she asked, with open disgust all over her face..
“You know, keeping my father’s shoes in pristine condition. This was not an option or expectation. It was the normal, and the first thing that a father demanded from his son. You have to remember that this was 1934 and in Berlin,Germany.”
There were no more questions, and I don’t know what she wrote in her report. However, a few days ago, her father told me that she received an “A” on her assignment.
Generation gap? Anyone?
Mr.Christian,
It is with great joy that I must tell you I downloaded a copy of the 1st book of your series reporting on growing up in Nazi Germany! I was So Very Lucky to have stumbled upon an app. that then sent me to a list of free copies of books to download onto my tablet! While initially a bit irritated, as nothing seemed of interest to me–I’ve never been much of a “Romance” reader, & “Fantasy” doesn’t do much for me either –suddenly I glimpsed the words “Berlin” & ” growing up”, & then the reassuring word “Germany” (I hate to report how many times I’ve been disappointed after reading “Berlin” only to find the writer is speaking of some U.S. city by that name, making me want to Scream that there’s only ONE Berlin!!)! Now, I must confess that I am neither a transferred Berliner, nor was I even born there, but my mother Was, & I, as an “Army Brat”, did spend almost all of the first 12 yrs. of my life living on various Army bases all over Germany. Through living in Germany, through the awe struck response my German teacher had upon learning that my Mother was from Berlin, & even from the responses I received through my own German language pronunciation, I learned that Berlin & Berliners were a Special Breed of human being! Now, after reading an excerpt from the ebook I downloaded, & after reading your Blog comments & even your Beautiful replies to those who have written in response to your Blog comments, this belief is even More solidified! I, after reading your first book, plan to continue with that series & then continue on to read All of your Beautiful, Informative writings. Even more importantly, I will have my truly wonderful, giving, kind & gentle Son (Wolfgang, age 20 yrs.), also read your writings. So, yes, there are those of the “younger generation” who stop to ask if “senior citizens” struggling with heavy bags need assistance, (“No charge or Anything”, he must quickly reassure!),& whom have interest in what those of a previous generation have to say,& have no interest in the current “fads” or even current music craze, but instead prefer to listen to music “when the words had meaning & the music showed talent” (his words in regard to music of the 1950s through some select artists of the 1980s & 1990s!)! Naturally, I must admit as a Mother that I spent many painful nights talking with my husband about our son’s lack of friends & “lonely” progress through the world as he grew up. However, all turned out very well, & although diagnosed with very high functioning Autism at age 10 yrs. (you knew there has to be a catch, didn’t you?!), I can joyfully report to having a well adjusted, happy, adult son, who is currently attending college, & whose “quirks” regarding having such “beautiful manners”, being “such a gentleman”, & “appreciating the finer things in life” are now greatly recognized & appreciated! I look So Forward to reading your writings & Most of All, sharing them with my son, whom I’m Sure will enjoy their gorgeous manner of writing as much as the information passed on for future generations to learn.
Hello Angela,
Thank you very much for your thoughtful and extensive comment, and congratulations on your successful upbringing of your son.
Personally, I think that you and your husband deserve the most credit for your son’s achievement. It must have been more than just a challenge to prepare your son for college. And, what you refer to as “quirks”, well, I think that they are also due to your tireless input. So, while you are justly proud of your son, don’t forget to be proud of yourself too. You earned it.
Regarding “Berliners … and Special breed of human beings” well, I only remember that the rest of the German people didn’t think so at all.
You will not believe how often the “Berliners” were blamed for their long resistance against the Soviet troops.
Now, of course, there are only a few remaining survivors, and pretty soon it will be all forgotten.
( You know, Angela, sometimes it is not easy to write in a “balanced” way, and in this regard I really do appreciate your thoughtful comments)
Take good care, Angela, and say “Hello” to your son.
All the best,
Horst