6.9.2007 Being honored

It is not very often that a good neighbor- friend receives such an honor.But it did happen a few days ago when our very active neighbor Fritz Buhr received a federal medal honoring his unselfish engagements for environmental and social causes.The newspaper article even called him the "ecological conscience" of our city.

At times - and probably even today - it must have been so frustrating for Fritz ( and for his wife as well ) being way ahead of the rest of us in terms of ecological awareness and anticipation of the changes that we are now witnessing locally and on a global scale. It is a small wonder that Fritz has remained an optimist and a model of the goodness and integrity that most of us are striving for. Thank you, Fritz, for your help in steering us, our local politicians and planners into the right direction and then to encourage us to remain on course.

The photo shows our county commission chairman Mr. M. Mueller ( on the left ) and Fritz Buhr during the award ceremony in the county building assembly hall where 125 people had gathered to celebrate the occasion.Mr. M. Mueller will join a DAFK delegation in mid-october when they fly to Belleville,Chicago and New York City.Maybe we should invite Fritz to come along as well - he would certainly have new ideas for some of our American friends who drive to their local Wal-Mart store in a Humvee!

6.9.2007 Here I go again

Two days ago I signed a work contract with our State authorities. The contract allows me to teach ten classroom hours of English at a local Highschool. The principal assigned me two seventh grade classes and today was my second day at work. I am so exited to be back "on stage" - the last two years righted the old pun that teachers don't die - they just lose their class. By not actively teaching any more I became aware of how I was slowly losing that part of me which previously had given me vital energy for all those years ( see photo ).

So now I am once again surrounded by eager learners. And my seventh graders have such sparkling eyes and clean approaches. Have you ever stopped at a red light when the motorcyclist in the other lane reved up his engine again and again in hurried anticipation of the lights to change from red to green?

It is wonderful to be a part of this reving-up dance once again - and I especially appreciate the giving and the taking aspects of it.The love you put in is returned the very same moment. My heart probably knew this secret from the first day I began my studies - my head,however, had to wait many years before the message finally sank in.Now on my new assignment I finally get to congruently use both:mein Herz und meinen Verstand - my heart and my mind.What a precious gift - received just at the right time.