Dads stories

All the best old pal. I will never forget you!

August 2005.
Dear Peter,
I have just returned from a two week return trip to Ireland. Wie didn't fly but drove our car. I even enjoyed the ferry trips across to the island, because they were already part of the holiday. It was an interesting trip with much of nature, it is not for nothing that Ireland is called the "green island".
Of course during some of the long stretches I had a lot of time to reflect. And of course I spent a lot of time thinking about you and your loved ones. You all had a very difficult time of it...Hedwig is still grieving according to Inge, of course now in a different way. Everything is still so fresh. And I doubt that after such a long time together these wounds will heal quickly. It will take its time....
And I still can't believe that our email war belongs to the past. I was looking forward in my retirement to sparr with you about God and the world - or maybe not (sparr). Can you remember how you could hardly believe that after 40 years I had less and less enjoyment
with school, and sometimes unnerved you with the talk about old age? Since I know the words spoken at your graveside, I know that this was not the right model for you! You told me much about yourself but you never bragged about your abilities and achievements, so that I only had inklings of what a great guy you really were! Like I said...would have been nice....on the other hand you reluctantly kept me uptodate and prepared me that our email exchange could not continue on. Inge is also making sure that our thoughts are being preserved. I find this good, maybe she will be amazed at where they took us. I am sure that she will also overlook a thing or two.....
Dear Peter, yesterday I read the results of your autopsy which Inge passed on to me. I am very thankful to have seen it. Because now it is easier for me. I am actually happy that the last time you knocked at the pearly gates and they were opened to you, you did not once more return. You saved yourself much further suffering and stayed safely "home", like you said again and again: "don't worry, I'll be home soon". Surely that is what you were talking about?
We haven't known each other all that long. But sometimes it is not important how long one walks together. Peter I will miss you!
I already do!
All the best, old pal. I will never forget you.
Harald.

posted by Inge @ 5:51 pm