Last Destination

Our last weekend in Germany we went to Dachau. It was a trip we meant to take many times during our stay, but never seemed to have the time. It was symbolically our last destination, as it was for the many people that were persecuted there.

The concentration camp in Dachau is a memorial site visited every year by over a million people from all over the world.

The air was solemn that hot afternoon as we watched the many tourists taking their photos. Walking the long white graveled roads from building to building, you could hardly imagine the hardship and suffering that took place. A black and white photo at the entrance of the crematorium shows the building relatively unchanged. Feelings of reluctant curiosity formed a lump in my throat as I found myself standing in front of a huge iron oven. We all know what happened there.

We then visited the cramped living quarters where they slept on wooden slats. I, the tourist, snapped a photo of the toilets. I couldn't resist the perfect light entering through the window. Ashamed by my artistic self, I had forgotten what was behind the lens.

Most things are easier that way. This certainly was one of them.

John wanted a photo of the famous gate with the words,"Arbeit Macht Frei". A man closed it just before he took the shot. He said that it would make the photo more realistic. I left Dachau wondering just how a perfectly staged photo would make the horrendous events that occurred here seem more realistic. The words,"more realistic" are still ringing in my mind as I find myself so far away in Ohio, of all places with a new house and a new car

longing for a larger lens.

Tattooed Trees

An orchestra of
cicadas perform
in a forest of
tattooed trees.
Shadowed shapes are
puzzled pieced
surrounded by white noise.

I found a place to walk today.

Loooking For Signs

When faced with a big decision, one usually looks for signs to help guide them. I have always been a strong believer in signs and what they symbolize, whether I am faced with a difficult decision, or not. I am forever searching for meaning in the world around me. This can be exhausting at times, because some things are just the way they are and not up to us to interpret or understand. I also believe in fate and that I am led by a higher power to people, places, and things.

I am happy to report that we found a house and such a wonderful house it is!

Every morning this past week when we left the base to begin another grueling day of house hunting, I noticed a beaver on the side of the road. I honestly don't think I have seen a beaver before, just roaming around, other than in the zoo. After the third day of seeing him, I started to wonder if maybe he was a "sign". You may remember that in Germany I was attending classes at the University of Google. I have decided to continue my studies here in Dayton and will be enrolling in more classes.

I found that the beaver symbolizes building your life around your dreams. The beaver was telling me to believe in my dreams and by working diligently they will become a reality.

I did not see the beaver the morning of the day that the sellers accepted our offer. I looked hard for him in his usual place. He was probably off building a new home to begin his own dreams. This will be our first house together; a place of my dreams and a place to dream even more.

Waiting In Dayton

Waiting In Dayton

Judging covers

moving on

Quick decisions,

a feel for things.

Quiet sleepy streets.

Loud noisy beats

Not enough space,

extract.

Visit

and visit again.

This is quick.

This is fast.

What's the hurry?

What's the rush?

A roof above,

A place to be,

A place to slumber

Wait to see.

Does it really matter?

Put us here

Put us there

Get it over with

I don't care......

Way To Go Ohio

We made it!

We have been here just a few days.

If any of you have seen two desperate looking people driving a blue Jeep with 2 bored dogs hanging out the window in your neighborhood, have mercy on us. We are homeless!

Our time living in temporary housing expires in one week.

We have a few houses picked out, but are still searching.

I found this one the other day, but I think another military family might already be living there.

I will keep you posted.........

"Things"

I have managed to talk the movers into packing my computer last. I begged, I pleaded. I even batted my eyes. So here I am sneaking in one last blog entry. I am Ralph Malph and I still got it. Can't really remember or was it Potsie Weber?

Yesterday only one man showed up to pack us out and he didn't speak English. Right now I am looking over all the descriptions that he wrote on the packed boxes. There are two big boxes marked,"SHORS". Those boxes are the most important. They are my babies and my favorite ones are traveling in my suitcase. They are my shoes in case you are confused.

I have been completely stressed out over the whole event. I have to keep telling myself that all these things being packed away are just things. There is so much more in my life right now and it shouldn't matter if all these things fall in the ocean on the way back to the States.

Right before I got married my house was broken into and all my "things " were stolen. They took everything that I had identified with and placed importance in.

I entered into this marriage without the burden of "things".

It was a blessing in disguise, but it has taken a long time for me to realize it. I still am upset about the sentimental things that cannot be replaced, like my grandmother's costume jewelry and a recipe box that my Aunt made for me with family recipes. I wonder if the crack heads that took it are making Grand-Maw's creole gumbo for dinner tonight.

All the "things" that I have now are being bubble wrapped, taped, and boxed. These are not just my "things" anymore, but ours.

I am feeling guilty for placing more value on them and I am even more scared.

I am also confused about the feelings I am having leaving the people I have met in the past three years.

Am I sad about leaving them or just leaving myself; the person I was while in Germany? I know that this whole experience has changed me. Life will be different back in the States. I am so sensitive to my environment. It makes me wonder if it is possible to ever truly know someone.

When the moving truck arrived early this morning I felt a little more at ease. You see,

Christ is moving us back home.

Our things are in good hands.

Ohio here we come!!

Auf Wiedersehen

Just a little collage of German memories.
It looks like we spent the last 3 years drinking and wearing funny hats. I bet you are thinking we could have done that back in the States.

Our time here in Deutschland has been quite an adventure. I wouldn't trade it for the world. Like I have said before, I am sad and happy at the same time about leaving.

I plan to continue with this blog when we get settled in Dayton.

It will probably be sometime near the end of July.

I hope you all don't forget about me.

I have a feeling Ohio will challenge my creativity, as far as sharing interesting blog posts.

You must not loose faith in me.

I am planning on finding a great big studio with lots of new work to share.

Thank you all for the nice comments over the last year.

I will talk to you soon,

Bis dann,

Mary Beth