After a 6-hour trip, we arrived in Calbe last night at around 11pm. The distance is only about 400km (a "short" drive, in Canadian terms), but here in Germany the custom is to take lots of breaks during the drive: I'd say a 15-minute break after every 1.25 hours of driving, or something along those lines. So much for getting somewhere "fast" on the Autobahn: people drive fast, 180+ km p/hr, but the breaks take away whatever advantage is gained by the fast speeds.
I slept in today, until past 9am. After a typical breakfast of bread, butter, cheese, and sausage, I began the day by catching up with relatives, specifically "Onkel Yuri" and "Tante Nelly". Around noon I went to visit "Onkel David" (who really should be called "Opa David." He is, after all, 92 years old.
I spent 5 hours conversing with him. I was somewhat disappointed in our conversation, actually. Somehow, we didn't connect as well as previously, we were not on the same wavelength at all. He seemed to me an old bitter man, with childish attitudes towards relationships and people. I found out that he values respect and authority (vernuenftig sein) above all, and while this is not necessarily a bad thing, he rages with anger and bitterness if anyone does not accord him either of these two values. He has separated himself from the rest of his lovedones, because in his view, they do not respect him in the way that they ought to. Other family members, of course, are not innocent either. It seems like each family-member contributes to what could easily be made into a made-for-tv-telenovela.
I spent the evening at uncle Yuri and aunt Nelly's. The evening was pleasant enough. Yuri and Nelly insult, tease, and make fun of each other to no end, while the rest of us sit around looking at them or each other in a combination of disgust and amazement. Indeed, it came out in the conversation that they've been married for 40+ years, and they are still together. I'm not sure any more proof of God's grace is needed, when we look at such a dysfunctional marriage, and yet, somehow it stood the test of time, somehow, they're still together.
One final thought: I'm struck and very impressed with Rudy, the eldest son, who somewhow is able to escape the chaos that brews in the family. He's made his own relational mistakes, of course, like we all have, but the relationship he's in now (Olga), and the family he's establishing, is worthy of praise. He treats Olga, Artur, and Kevin with such respect (this attitude seems to be a primary value in the family) and care that one cannot help but stand back, watch, and learn.
Below is a picture of Olga, Joana (Jelena's 6-year old daughter), and Kevin. Tomorrow Jelena, Rudy's younger sister, will drive in from Berlin with her newfound partner Micha.
I slept in today, until past 9am. After a typical breakfast of bread, butter, cheese, and sausage, I began the day by catching up with relatives, specifically "Onkel Yuri" and "Tante Nelly". Around noon I went to visit "Onkel David" (who really should be called "Opa David." He is, after all, 92 years old.
I spent 5 hours conversing with him. I was somewhat disappointed in our conversation, actually. Somehow, we didn't connect as well as previously, we were not on the same wavelength at all. He seemed to me an old bitter man, with childish attitudes towards relationships and people. I found out that he values respect and authority (vernuenftig sein) above all, and while this is not necessarily a bad thing, he rages with anger and bitterness if anyone does not accord him either of these two values. He has separated himself from the rest of his lovedones, because in his view, they do not respect him in the way that they ought to. Other family members, of course, are not innocent either. It seems like each family-member contributes to what could easily be made into a made-for-tv-telenovela.
I spent the evening at uncle Yuri and aunt Nelly's. The evening was pleasant enough. Yuri and Nelly insult, tease, and make fun of each other to no end, while the rest of us sit around looking at them or each other in a combination of disgust and amazement. Indeed, it came out in the conversation that they've been married for 40+ years, and they are still together. I'm not sure any more proof of God's grace is needed, when we look at such a dysfunctional marriage, and yet, somehow it stood the test of time, somehow, they're still together.
One final thought: I'm struck and very impressed with Rudy, the eldest son, who somewhow is able to escape the chaos that brews in the family. He's made his own relational mistakes, of course, like we all have, but the relationship he's in now (Olga), and the family he's establishing, is worthy of praise. He treats Olga, Artur, and Kevin with such respect (this attitude seems to be a primary value in the family) and care that one cannot help but stand back, watch, and learn.
Below is a picture of Olga, Joana (Jelena's 6-year old daughter), and Kevin. Tomorrow Jelena, Rudy's younger sister, will drive in from Berlin with her newfound partner Micha.
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