Day 13
Dad asking for ketchup
for his fish in
Germany and the
chef was not happy
Ah!
Those Continentals! (Can’t teach
them---anything?...I reckon!
Daughter
Rachel Rebecca experienced a severe tragedy in her very young life; like her
“old Man”, she handled it in her own way, in her own time. A very unexpected
death sent her world spinning helter-skelter out of control. So? She bought a
“huge” backpack, researched travel in Europe, loaded up that back-burden with
about 110 lbs. of “survival” necessities and, headed out.
I
struggled to help her hoist that heavy pack onto her back; she would take up
the challenge and “hike” several miles to assure that her muscles could manage
the burden. I told her that if she ever got knocked over onto her back with
that monstrosity, she’d never be able to get up, again; it literally weighed
more than my slight “little darlin’” did!
Becky
had made friends with a German exchange student name of Jule when we lived in
Oregon where “Little Miss Smarter-than-the-average-bear” managed to graduate in
three years. It was friend-Jule that Becky intended to meet up with on the
Continent during her three month hiatus to the “homeland” attempting to regain
her equilibrium and readjust her “life” compass.
Turns
out, German friend Jule had a close friend in her native Germany name of
Alexander Baur; Miss Jule played “match maker” introducing the pair when Becky
finally made her way to the “Fatherland”, several weeks into her recovery
journey sabbatical. Alex is now our son-in-law! And, Miss Lauren and Anna Marie
bless our lives with infinite joy.
Great
job! Miss Jule! And, Thank you! Or---Danke schon!...Or…Merci! (I get so confused.)
Jule
spoke fluent English, German and French; just so I cover my bases.
In
the Salem, Oregon High School where Jule and Becky became fast friends, their
French instructor gave them as a final exam: a challenge to write a story about
young lovers, in French. Jule began the story in French, as directed, but,
because she did not like the teacher, she made her character-lovers
native-German and switched her written story dialog and narrative to her native
language: German! Jule’s reward for
the subterfuge: For her little “tirade”, the teacher promptly kicked the
foreign exchange student out of French class and barred her from taking the
course the next semester! Ah! Those Continentals!
After
a few years of a six thousand mile romance-courtship, Becky and Alex were
married. And, Chevy Chase thought he had an exciting---European vacation!
So?
What does any of this have to do with Dad requesting “Ketchup” for his fish in
a fancy German restaurant to the chagrin of the chef t on the banks of
beautiful Lake-of-Constance in the beautiful Bavarian Alps? I was beginning to
think that you might never ask---Hmmm!
Taking
a two week hiatus of our own, we celebrated the German wedding at Aussin and
included a tour of southwestern Germany, Austria, France and Switzerland in our
journey. Beth and Graig along with Z. Tyler accompanied us on the trip; Alex
chauffeured the Americans.
One
day, along the southern coast of Lake Constance, we viewed the extravagant
castle that Napoleon Bonaparte had purchased for his Josephine; later, we ate
at a near-by fancy restaurant.
Being
a “picky” eater (I know what I like) and not seeing a cheeseburger and fries on
the menu (which I couldn’t read, anyway) I opted for---safety…fish! A holdover from my youth of
“no-meat” Fridays in Catholic education. Anyway, how could I make a mistake
with “fish”?
All
went just fine---until…I asked the waiter for: Ketchup! OMG! End-of-story! Amen!
Another
episode for the book: Cookie Jar Sweet
Memories!
Plus:
The Sacred Holy Spirit of:
Christ‘m’as Love!
Peace on Earth! Within a tiny village town
Snow white fluff drifts ever softly floating down
Faith! Christian Belief endears hearts clinging
Family! Christmas Eve! Oh! Holy Hymns all singing
Freedom! Church bells toll their sacred spiritual ringing
Angelic second graders perform a “winter holiday”
presentation play
In white robes with angel wings, hallowed message the
innocents portray
“Silent Night!” sung sweetly soft surrounding surreal
sight
In heaven, joyous golden bells chime blessed gospel bright
Each child in turn presents a single letter proud
“C-h-r-i-s-t-‘m’-a-s L-o-v-e-!” reverent testimony
vowed
A collective gasp escapes adoring adult attendees
What they behold is just not quite so modern trendy
Cutie, Ima Prophet holds her letter upside down
Hushed silence befalls stunned audience profound
The Deity has changed the script to: Christ‘w’as
Love!
Tread not on God’s Commandments writ celestially
above
To show respect the assembled crowd doth respectfully
arise
Joins Christmas chorus in God’s honored glory to
apprise
Faith! Family! Freedom! Might just be all there
really---is
In one eternal instant, that tender mercy judgment
will be…His!
Christian blessings are the valued valid virtue treasures
that one hath
And, Innocent shall Light the Way on Salvation’s Heaven
Path! Amen!
Merry! Merry! Christ‘m’as Love!
Carl & Candy
December 25, 2012
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