SUNDAY MEMORIES
Judy Wills
I am re-blogging this post, as it brings back so many wonderful memories of Germany…
We had some amazing experiences during our times in West Germany. We saw so many wonderful sights while there. So much history, as well.
One of our favorite cities to visit was West Berlin. At the time we were there, The Wall (Der Maur) was still in place. And, unfortunately, the Brandenberg Gate was in the Russian Zone, or East Berlin. We were unable to get close to it. [1967-1970]
I later spoke to a German national who said she just couldn’t imagine living in such an “enclosed” place as West Berlin. I tried to assure her that it didn’t FEEL enclosed. The American Zone was quite open and free. I don’t think I was very convincing. She just had to experience it for herself.
As we walked around the city, we came upon a fascinating piece of old Germany – a very old hand-watering pump. Apparently, anyone who knew about it, could bring their car/wagon/etc. there and get free water to wash whatever they had – as long as they were willing to hand-pump the water. Not something you see around the U.S.
My Mother had come to Germany to visit us that year (May 1969) and we delighted in taking her places that I know she only dreamed of ever seeing. We happened to be in West Berlin during the celebration of the 20thanniversary of the Berlin Airlift. The German people had erected a monument to that occasion, and the celebration took place in front of the hotel where we stayed. The monument is three-pronged, representing the American, British, and French efforts to keep the free German people from starving and out of Russian/Communist hands. It was a tremendous success.
Another site that impacted me greatly was in the heart of downtown West Berlin, along the Kurfurstendam, affectionately known by the locals as the Kudam, which is the main shopping street in downtown West Berlin. After the colossal disaster of World War 2, the German people decided to leave a reminder to themselves of the cost of pride and war. They left standing the bombed-out shell tower of the Kaiser Wilhelm church. And built right next to it a beautiful and modern new church and church tower. While the new structure is impressive, it cannot be fully appreciated until one is inside. The all-glass bricks are a cobalt blue, and with the sun shining through those bricks – well, all I can say is, it’s breath-taking. And peaceful. And amazing. And I’ve run out of adjectives already.
~~~~~~~~~~To be continued~~~~~~~~~~
Judy is living in Central Florida with her retired U.S. Air Force husband of 50+ years. Born in Dallas, Texas, she grew up in the Southwestern United States.She met her husband at their church, where he was attending the university in her town. After college and seminary, he entered the Air Force, and their adventures began.They lived in eight of our United States, and spent six years in Europe, where their oldest daughter was born. She was a stay-at-home mom for many years .
Judy has always been involved with music, both playing the piano and singing. Always interested in exercise, she was an aerobic dancing instructor, as well as a piano teacher for many years, and continues to faithfully exercise at home.
After moving to Central Florida, she served as a church secretary for nearly nine years.Her main hobby at this point in time is scanning pictures and 35mm slides into the computer. She also enjoys scrapbooking.She and her husband have two married daughters and four grandchildren, including grandtwins as well as a great-grandson. She and her husband enjoy the Disney parks as often as possible.
Old Things R New 
Well done!
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