Steps-Trains-Steps-Bus-Steps-Subway-Steps...Retrace Steps

In Dresden-Holden Taking the Picture

Germany recently greeted this stranger with open arms for almost a month. Well, actually no arms but I felt instantly connected and it certainly wasn’t because of my grasp of the language.

It felt like I was a small, glass marble in a children’s toy being placed at the top of a downward maze with many other marbles-sliding my way down. Gravity responsible for where we all landed.

My responsibility was to catch buses, trains or subways with hundreds of steps before and after. Yet, once I was in the right direction I was the marble again. I looked out windows, grasped and gripped the hand rails (sometimes for dear life). I’d count the stops and watch the digital monitor (if there was one) to see if I could figure out when to get off to go to a resale shop, to find a nice cafe, to browse a book store, check out children’s toys or German-made pens and naturally a museum or two. 

Just one of the Screenshots 
I needed in case my phone died!

I started in Düsseldorf and ended up in Berlin before returning to the U.S. a few days ago.

Twice I ended up at the end of a train route and the driver asked everyone to exit. Apparently it was the last stop. It’s not hard to realize you’re at the end of the road when the train doesn’t go any further. Now I’m home I can take a step back and marvel at my determination to get where I wanted to go.

It’s kinda weird to realize I was thrown in with others on journeys similar or dissimilar to mine and it felt like open arms. I’m not sure why. Maybe it was because I felt I belonged with the masses of people, I was a part of it all. I’m not special or unique, I’m one of many. The other marbles didn’t care who I was, where I came from or where I was going. But we were all connected somehow.

I wanted to make sure I was at my son, Holden’s premier of the opera “Windukind” so I made my way there via Düsseldorf. The hug and face of Holden was worth the trip, I’ve missed him.

I had many chances to explore while he rehearsed and prepared for each performance. (I went to all four of them!) I spend time with him, saw him perform and met many of the people he worked with. 

Over and over I heard about Holden’s honesty, kindness and helpfulness. He shares his love with those around him young and old. I heard how patient he is with everyone and how passionate he is about performing. It’s obvious when you see him on stage.

When he steps on that stage his charisma is right in line with him, but his voice? Ah…no words could describe his body turning into this smooth, silky instrument. Being there to hear him perform live is everything. 

It’s a rarity to hear about your adult child from those that work with them. I felt honored to be treated special as “Holden’s mom”. Rita, a co-performer, invited us to dinner one night. She wanted to cook for me. She and the others talked about the production and how the opera was going. It was so fun to hear them interact with each other and hear the stories.

Rita With Holden

I  think it’s important not to assume I’ll have a lot of time with Holden when I travel. So, when he asked for me to stay longer in Berlin on this trip so we would have more time together, it wasn’t a difficult choice to reschedule my ticket. I wasn’t going to miss the chance.

I had many varied experiences on this trip to Germany. And you know I have to say… I won't try to explain how a hug from my child can top any of the others. Right on top, a standing ovation. Several curtain calls. Love and being loved beats them all!