These folks are so special. Have I already said that? Of course I have. After more than 15 years together, we're like family.
In addition to our English lesson every week of the school year, we have a couple of celebrations, and Christmas is of course the highlight of the winter. Everyone brings something to eat and we all dress for the occasion.
Decorations abound.
And the major decorator-in-charge always makes something for each of us to take home. This year, a little paper tree and (electronic) candle as well as a star to hang in the window. Thanks Brigitte!
Along with the food and drink, there is always music.What is Christmas without music? At my first Christmas celebration with the group, I hung back a bit and didn't participate in the singing as much, but of course I just love singing along and we've added a few more carols over the years that I have introduced to the group. Favorites are Rudolph and Jingle Bells, but we do some very traditional English carols as well.
There's always a mini-concert from the flautists who enjoy playing as much as we enjoy listening!
The season would not be complete without this get together with these special folks.
And then suddenly it is third Advent. Third candle lit and only one to go.
There's so much going on, and at the same time, so many hours of waiting. Contradictions seem to define our lives right now.
On Second Advent, our family from Ohlendorf came to visit the Christmas Market, and we got to go along! It's not such a long tradition, really, but for Amina, it is written in stone.
The calendar this year meant that Second Advent was a bit earlier in December which meant getting the tree up earlier. Buying the tree and getting it in the house is easy-peasy. The gardener just outside our back door has lovely trees, and shopping in the snow makes it fun - and getting it home a breeze - one in front, one in back, walk.
But I couldn't get all the decorating done before Amina arrived, which turned out to be a good thing. She had a great time looking at all the ornaments, asking questions and finding just the right place on the tree for each one.
Then off to the Market! Bratwurst! Mulled wine! Rides! It's the same every year, but that's what traditions are all about. Now Amina has the third different mug from the Christmas market - a complete set.
There was still a bit of snow on the ground but frankly we all agreed it was pleasantly cold instead of nasty cold. And of course it was fun - part of which is running to get the train!
After a hearty breakfast, we sauntered up to the little local Christmas Market here in Vegesack where they've put up an ice rink. Cool! Amina couldn't wait to go and Mom and Dad were game to skate along. Me, not so much. My last skating event was when I broke my elbow. And that was the last. I'm happy to cheer from the sidelines now.
We said goodbye and promised to visit their Christmas tree in Ohlendorf. We will, and it will be a first.
Then it was Monday! Platjenwerbers! Christmas Fest!
Talk about traditions --- these folks take the cake. There is the candelabra from Christiane and the luminaries from Anneliese and the Christmas Crackers and flute playing from Brigitte and Jutta (and usually Lisa, too, but unfortunately she was sick) and the Yogi tea from Helena and so on from each person. I get to be different each year because they ask every year for something "American." HA! This year they got Spanikopita. How American is that!? But it was yummy. We sing carols and pop our crackers and read the silly riddles and jokes.
Why don't bananas sunbathe? Because they'd peel!!
Often, as you can imagine, I have to explain the jokes. Sometimes it's funny and sometimes it's a groan. Sometimes they just don't get it at all, but that's fun too. So it goes.
And suddenly it is 3rd Advent. Too much too fast.We haven't finished our Christmas tasks!
We've been caring a lot for Werner's mother, newly in the nursing home. We visit almost daily and try to help with the transition, but transitions for folks in their mid-90s are not so easy. So on this 3rd Advent weekend we were glad to have no special events and just sit back, just a bit.
These folks in Platjenwerbe (is that not a funny name???) are just my best. Don't tell my other classes. Or don't even tell the Platjenwerbers - it'll go to their heads. And if they're reading this, they'll ask me next week - What means "go to their heads" ?? After all this time, there are still some grammar things that just don't stick.
Twenty five years. 25 years. Three of these folks were the founding members of the current group, and one year later, 4 others of the current crop showed up. And are still there! Unfortunately, three of our usuals were not able to be there - these retired folks have so much to do! I moved around so much as a kid and even as an adult - more than I'd planned or wanted - that staying with one group doing one activity for so long is a real stretch. (What means "a real stretch"?)
- And thank you, Gisela for the little heart!
So, excuse me for poking a bit of fun at my most favorite group. Even after all these years, they still fall into common mistakes, and I correct them gently or not so gently, but always with humor. They just have so much fun doing English, I can't not have fun with them. Can you imagine laughing while learning a foreign language? We do it every week.
Tonight's very special guest was Brunhilde, a founding member who had moved to Spain just before I was engaged to "teach" the group. Earlier teachers were also invited, but for assorted reasons just couldn't make it. Too bad.
We all brought something for the feast - little Wiener Schnitzel (what's "Schnitzel" in English? Haha - Schnitzel!), quiche, bacon wrapped figs, sparkling wine, lots of yummy stuff. We ate it all, looked at the picture album, chatted about years of English and how and why they started and this and that and the other.
This is communion in the nicest way. Without it, we would be lost.
What a great party! Rudiger gave a lovely toast to the beginnings and the future. Someone said, Here's to the next 25 years! Not so sure I'm up to that - that would make me 89 years old - but I was the only one who objected! These folks are nuts. ("What means 'nuts'?")
Thank you, dear Platjenwerbers, for making me part of your world.
