So…it is one thing to celebrate our last U-Bahn ride, or last trip to our favorite Italian restaurant, or even our last croissant from the bakery across the street. But seeing a friend for the last time is hard! Today, we said “Til We Meet Again” to Miss Claudia. She has taught Bryce and Emily’s German for eight weeks here in Berlin but she has been SO MUCH MORE than a teacher!
I liked Claudia from the very beginning. And it wasn’t only because she let me cheat and speak English in the classroom!! Teaching Bryce and Emily was obviously more than just a job to her. She wanted to know them and about our family. She was eager to hear about homeschooling, wishing she was allowed to experience such a thing with her daughters (it is still illegal here in Germany). She commented on how Bryce and Emily worked together, helped each other, and complemented one another. She made learning German fun for the children…understanding that creating a positive experience would lend itself both to short-term and long-term learning. And early on, she brought her daughter to one of the classes. What fun they all had! Bryce and Emily teaching Morea (10) some English and Morea teaching Bryce and Emily some German!!
We also had some special weekend experiences. Team Thomas met Claudia and Morea at a big farm one beautiful Sunday afternoon. We talked, the children climbed trees and ate fresh carrots (we still aren’t sure if we were allowed to pick them!) and simply enjoyed building a friendship. And just last weekend, we all met Claudia, both her daughters (Cial is 3) and some other friends of Moreas. In all there were 3 adults and 6 children. We spent half of our time together at a playground running the children ragged and the other half at a wonderful museum. It was much more about being there together than where we were!
Claudia and I related to one another as wives, as mothers, and as women. We shared thoughts on marriage, on parenting, on travel and a lot about life in general. She was so patient with my German and, thankfully, she spoke great English (although she would be the last to admit it!)
Once upon a time I wouldn’t have believed it possible for me to form such a friendship in such a short time–we are talking about eight weeks here! Sometimes that probably saved me some heartache, but now I know it also probably cost me a tremendous amount of joy. I thank God for blessing me with such a tremendous base of family and friends from which I have learned much about love and friendship. God is love, indeed.
Claudia and her family depart for a family vacation in France tomorrow. The Thomas Family returns to the States this Friday. Claudia and I exchanged street addresses, email addresses, and phone numbers. We also exchanged small tokens that would remind us of our time together. It shouldn’t have been that hard to say goodbye and yet it was. We shed some tears and after we had separated once ran back to each other for just one more hug. Yes, I, Karen, ran back for a hug!!
The Thomas Family doesn’t know if will be returning to Berlin. Claudia and her family would like to travel to the United States next year, but as yet there are no concrete plans. So we left with the knowledge that our lives connected in a special way in this place at this time, knowing that we are both the better for having the experience and hopes that we would continue to foster this connection. Good-byes were simply out of the question.
