Dads stories

Dear Gretchen. Thank you so much for your dear letter. I should really be ashamed to be so lazy with writing. Since my trip to Germany three years ago I have practically written to nobody and heaven knows why! I am always very busy but that is no excuse. But enough of that, I really enjoyed your letter.

So, how is everyone? Of our 6 children 3 are already married. Inge, our oldest (32) lives already for a while in Broom in NW Australia, with her family on a mission. Inge and her husband Dennis are both Computer Programmers. For two years they hung up their working shoes and rented out their house here and committed to doing 2 years missionary work. They are working on an aboriginal mission Lombardina, a catholic mission. They have already finished one year and we currently have their boys, Michael (11) and Peter (8) staying with us for the holidays. It is summer holiday time here over Christmas until February. Despite the fact that life there is quite difficult, they enjoy being there and are happy. They don’t earn any wages but are provided for and get some pocket money. Hedwig and I are very proud of them and happy for them. The two boys will be flying back in two weeks time. The distance from here is 4800 km, at the extreme opposite end of Australia. If you or one of your pupils has time to write a card (in english) I think they would really appreciate it. And I am sure Inge would reply, especially if she can write in English. Her Address is: …..Would even be a good exercise in geography studies.

Our second daughter, Helga (28) and Bill her husband already have 3 daughters- Kathryn (6), Emily (3) and Lisa (1). They live in Hollbrook, approx 400 km from here north of Albury. Bill is working for the council as Road building engineer. Helga looks after the children, as she should. Like every year, they were here for Christmas. The children are very nice and well behaved, but lively and noisy, just as they should be and together with Inge’s sons and our Peter there was a lively tumult especially after the traditional Christmas eve presents were put out, which now usually happens at 10pm on Christmas eve. But more about that later.

Gerd, our eldest son (24) and his young wife Linda were married last year. They don’t have their own house as yet but are living in a 3 bedroom apartment near the city. Gerd works as freelance Sound Engineer (no idea what that is called in german) (tv, radio, records and tapes) and he is very busy. Linda is working in the office of a radio station, where Gerd also worked once (hence the connection).

Robert, our second son (19) is in his 4^th year as apprentice mechanic. He specialises with Diesel Engines. A very hard working young man who has been working with the same company since he was 12 years old and was cleaning buses, to earn his pocket money. If he continues the way he is going he will do well in life.

Susan (19) has left home and is currently in transit from one city to another, hence not working at the moment. She has tried various things but has not yet found the right thing for her. Most likely she will find her home in the food industry. She is excellent in the kitchen. She is going steady with a young teacher and they will probably get married soon. Even though she does not have a set goal at the moment, we don’t need to be concerned about her. She doesn’t mind putting her hand to things, is very diligent and clever and whereever she ends up she runs the show. She is very similar to my mother. Robert, her twin brother, is more like my father. They both get on very well even when they live far apart.

And then there is Peter (11) our lucky last. He is an excellent scholar (so far) and studies hard and is a lovely boy but has the traits of a youngest child. He is forever up in arms about something. If he were the first born, he would be constantly in trouble. But since we are already so old and wise, we are very considerate!

So now you know the entire club. Our children are very independent. After all Hedwig and I also had to stand on our own feet very early in life and the pioneer lifestyle in the beginning here in Australia also contributed to it. They were all very restless early in life and couldn’t wait to leave the nest. But we have our lovely family all together for Christmas. And we have never yet exerpienced any homesickness over Christmas. Every year, no matter where the children are, and they sometimes live quite a distance away, the entire family is here at home. This year was the first time Inge and Dennis were missing. But they were not able to leave the mission, for there were no replacements for them. So that now makes 17 people and the preparations are colossal. And for Hedwig this is the happiest time, then she is in her element. There is baking, in huge proportions. Biscuits, cake and Christmas Stollen. Not only to eat, but also to give away and take home with them. The entire house is put upside down. A lot of craft work and doll making. Not only for the grandchildren but also for others (half a dozen negro dolls, lifesize, in wonderfull colorful clothing were already sent to the mission) and then there is the meal for the christmas eve celebration. How she does it each year is a wonder. Then on the afternoon of Christmas eve, everyone who is not already long here, strolls in and the Christmas tree is put up (not a Eucalypt, a pine tree). Then the children who are slowly going mad with anticipation, are given something to occupy them. And then we have dinner. Then the children are put into two cars and two volunteers drive them away. There are parts of Melbourne where the front gardens are decorated and that is where the children drive to each year. Everyone else then descends on the lounge room and puts out the childrens presents. Also a Christmas plate is made up for each person and the presents are laid out on chairs, tables, cupboards and the ground. Everyone selects their special place. In the meantime I decorate the Christmas tree and the nativity set. All this takes place in a great rush and in no time the children are on their way back. I light the candles and grab my guitar and sing Silent Night, the door opens and there they are all standing, and come inside. We could not wish for a nicer Christmas. Tomorrow I will have the pictures developed and send you some.

This letter is getting a bit long and I better keep it short now otherwise I will never finish. In July we plan to travel around Australia for 4 months, Hedwig, I and Peter. With the car and we have bought a foldup camping trailor. I will write more about this another time. We are driving up to Darwin and then to Broome to visit Inge and then along the west coast down and across to Adelaide. I get long service leave, also more about that later.

Now to your questions:Yes Hedwig and I are well but don’t expect to visit germany in the near future. Yes we have taken on Austrlian citizenship. We didn’t have to but considering that we had made up our mind to stay here, we decided to go for it. By the way, since the 5^th of January we have been here for 20 years and we completely forgot to celebrate it! Well, you can have too much of a good thing! So, I will write again soon, possibly whilst on our trip. Think about sending a card to Inge, would be worthwhile!

All the best dear Gretchen,

Your Hedwig, Peter, children and grandchildren.