Busy Week

Three big events last week:  a class reunion for Werner, a Jugendweihe for Amina,. a confirmation for Louisa.....

First, Werner's reunion. Class reunions are a bit different here.  Usually spouses/partners are not invited, and as often or not, are just not interested. The classes are smaller.  And, at least in Werner's time, folks didn't move all over the world. Actually, that's not entirely true.  One lived about 30 years in the US, another about that long in three different countries.

Regardless, the venue was perfect, practically the whole place for ourselves. 

  Ernst, our "President for life" arranged everything wonderfully.

From 22 original classmates:  12 were there;  4 couldn't be there; the others are no longer with us.

Actually, not a bad showing.We took walks, had a tour of Verden, a lovely very old town nearby, checked out the local herb garden, chatted.

They still love to talk about old times, school times, fun times.  It was a pleasure for me to see them with each other.

Then a short pause in Bremen and Saturday off to Amina's Jugendwiehe.  In English, it's something like an initiation into adulthood.

In days past, 15 was the age when young people decided on a trade and entered an apprenticeship, so a ceremony to recognize that was fully appropriate.  If you were a church member, then you had Confirmation to note that transition.

These days, cynic that I am, it seems the celebration has more to do with a party and getting presents (presents=money).  Though Germany needs lots more tradespeople these days (plumbers, electricians, painters, technicians of all sorts) who would go into training at 15 or so,  still there is this idea that you gotta have a college degree.  I think we need to value all work a bit more...and not everyone should go to college.

But the celebrations are nice.  Family get together and the young people have a chance to learn how to host and give thanks to the assembled group.

And frankly, the older folks love a chance to hang around and have an event to celebrate.

Amina's initiation into adulthood was held in Hamburg at a concert hall.  Lots and lots of participants.  This is of the Humanist tradition with emphasis on environment, inclusion, community.  I like the idea.

Afterwards, there was food and drink and company at their home.  René had made a yummy goulash, two varieties to accommodate those who don't like mushrooms (???) or bacon (??????).  OK, something for everyone.  It was a lovely day.

Next day, off to church and a religious confirmation. The church is nice - not so big, but well appointed and surrounded by the graveyard.

Here's Christoph, Mirja and the newly confirmed Luisa outside the church.

Afterwards, there was an excellent luncheon at a nearby restaurant, a walk about, and then coffee and cake.  Louisa got to practice being a grown-up, though there's still plenty of kid in there!

I've said before that Werner's family is rather small, so it is so important to keep these connections, especially with these signal events.

It was a tiring and absolutely wonderful weekend.  All our best wishes to the new "adults" as they find their way to that hood.