WITH BEETHOVEN UNDER PALMS (II)

 

Chapter 2: Michiko and "Lola"

The doors of our plane opened. My buddy and I were at the very beginning, as we had always booked rows 1 A to B. The Filipino stewardess whispered: "A wonderful stay in the Philippines!" She did this with a smile that almost killed me. I would remember that smile for years. And yes, this smile and this memory would one day for my decision to immigrate to the Philippines forever. 1982 - but before that, a great deal would happen in the whole world for me.

As I said: the doors of our plane opened. While we walked down the aisle we realized what to expect. Highly armed soldiers stood meter by meter and accompanied us to the bus that was supposed to take us to an equally highly guarded hotel in Malate, Manila. Material law prevailed in the Philippines in 1976. Our stay in the office ended with a guarded breakfast and an equally guarded transfer to the airport for our flight to Tokyo.

But I just couldn't forget that Filipino smile... .

During that time, my grandmother resided in the Eastern Germany, the so-called Democratic Republic of Germany, although one might wonder where the democratic element would be here. I am not a fan of political conflicts. One will look for it here in this biography in vain.

I loved my grandmother like no one else in the world. Well, my wife is a very big exception! "Lola", born in 1899 (!) lived and survived  World War I and II. Since moving to West Berlin in 1974, I've had the opportunity to visit her much more often. Lola asked me: "Where exactly is Japan?" I asked her about her old school atlas, which she found in one of her closets after a long time. Lola was shocked when I showed her Japan.  I calmed her down.

About after five minutes she came back and gave me something.  It was a rosary. It's still with me up to now. "This is supposed to protect you on this big journey, and I know it would be your last big journey!" she said. 

Many trips followed, including to North Africa, Russia, and Jamaica. But more on that later. Our flight to Tokyo with Philippine Airlines was ready for boarding. And again, I captured the smile of the Philippine stewardess ... .

There are now three months family home stay ahead me. It has been organized by the International YMCA. I would stay in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka as well as Hiroshima. The latter with very impressive feelings. And there was something more impressive. I should meet Michiko in Osaka.

(To be continued!)

LET'S ENTERTAIN OURSELVES!

 

Not a single day goes by without the capital "C". It makes us tired and sick - mentally and physically. Many give up and withdraw themselves in their loneliness. A legal solitude from "somewhere up there".

Many wonder whether it is good for our future, for the economy, for education, and for our personal life and its surroundings. Well, I don't want to swap with those up there ahd having to make the right decisions at the right time. You can already notice some things, people are becoming more and more aggressive, no matter where in the world.

Let's entertain ourselves! Quite simply and clearly expressed. Since my retirement but staying longer  in my home office, I've been trying to entertain myself. I enjoy writing more - writing was and still is one of my hobbies. I enjoy playing my different instruments. I ignored that for years.

I enjoy listening to music from my incredibly large record collection back to 1936. I put my photo album collection in the right order. Incidentally, this is a wonderful task, since I am currently working on my  biography.

Entertaining means to talk with my wife and family personally too, and not only by messenger. Playing with the dogs, gardening, watching the daily TV-mass, praying ... .

Yes, it's our new abnormality we have to live with. We must not get down. Trust in God. It's all in His hands.

Flowers, sweets, lunches, hotel overnight stays

While I was leaving through my calendar, I noticed that the month of January will soon be over. In the new normal abnormality, one day reappears like every year: it's time again for Valentine's Day. 

Do you know something about the legend of St. Valentine? The history of Valentine's Day – and the story of its patron saint – is indeed shrouded in mystery. We do know that February has long been celebrated as a month of romance, and that St. Valentine's Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition.

From February 13 to 15, the Romans celebrated the feast of Lupercalia. ... Emperor Claudius II executed two men — both named Valentine — on Feb. 14 of different years in the 3rd century A.D. Their martyrdom was honored by the Catholic Church with the celebration of St. Valentine's Day.

Being married with a Filipina for almost 38 years now, Valentine's Day lets me always recall lovely moments from the past.

In a very old issue of PHILADELPHIA NEWS, which is still on my desk, columnist Larry Fields confessed: "I lead a life of wine, women and song (by the way, a wonderful waltz by the Austrian king of waltz Johann Strauss!) - it's cheaper than petrol, food and rent!"

Well, some marriages are made in heaven. You know some? I do. The best of the rest are down-to-earth. Maybe also yours? I am blessed and happy celebrating my  wedding anniversary in March.

Maybe you remember this: "Then the prince swept the lovely young maiden into his arms and carried her home to his castle. And they live happily ever after!" Indeed, they did.

What I would like to see is an autonomous in home affairs study of all these titles of nobility bearers seven years after their happily-ever-after marriages. or even earlier, because the so-called darned and tricky seventh marriage year could be even the first one already.

The truth is that life isn't made up of the continual highs found in the initial stages of courtship. Of course, flirting is fun and a wide groove exists. But after a while our system needs a rest. Unanimously we're in the second stage sooner or later and our marriage life needs badly a new outside coating.

All of a sudden, the partner prefers day and night watching all the sports channels, falls asleep while you're revealing your innermost secrets and even forgets the anniversary for the first or even second time . Just bear in mind: You've won each other's acceptance  and sometimes even feelings terribly gloomy. This acceptance shouldn't be undervalued.

Even when we see a house that has to be cleaned, many other things have to be organized, and the partner, who looks as fatigued and bored as you feel. Logical question: "That's it? That WAS it?"

And suddenly, we experienced the third stage and learned why it's worth the ups and downs. Maybe we men don't mention any more, how incredible she looks, but we enjoy bleating and grousing at her spending innumerable hours putting her together. But then, suddenly, we men are to unload the garbage without being asked for.

Although no marriage is continually blissful - it can be pretty good most of the time. When we last through arguments, money worries, and kid's problems or slowly but surely coming up mid-life crises, we should face reality that our relationship is not always a big day celebration.

It's because the fundamental  reason for a marriage has outlasted the craziness of day-to-day living: we love each other. That's MY idea of "Happily ever after, indeed!" And one thing more: in my opinion, Valentine's Day shouldn't be only on February 14. It doesn't matter if one is married or not.