January 09, Sven's trip to Germany

We got the sad call on Sunday evening, January 4.... the news that we knew would come but never wanted to hear: Oma was gone. After years of failing health, she was finally at peace. The rest of us, however, were so surprisingly "shocked" and so very sad. The next 24 hours was filled with hasty travel plans to get Sven and his mom over to Germany for her funeral. It was not an easy week in many respects. But, at least Sven and his mom were able to travel to Germany to be with their family during this difficult time. And now I hand the con....or the keyboard... over to Sven so he can tell it in his own words.

One of my favorite pictures and memories of me and Oma. A family walk through the woods. Tara took it on a walk through a park very near my hometown that we would regularly walk in my childhood.

Tara's favorite picture of Oma from a photographer's perspective. It definitely shows, at 90, the wear and fatigue of a long and sometimes difficult life. We (the family) believe she is now finally at peace and resting.

Bischofsgrun on a cold, clear January day. There was never a cloud in the sky the entire week that I was there. If you like quiet, quaint little towns Bischofsgrun is for you.

Friday 9 Jan, meeting at Oma's house before church. It is very ironic that a loss in the family brings people together. On the left (from left to right): Cousin Andreas Krauss, Oma's sister in law, Oma's brother Max, Oma's Nephew, my Uncle Karl, Oma's niece. If I miss a name or relation I apologize. Most of the relatives from Bayrischen Walk I haven't seen in almost 20 years: On the right (from left to right): My uncle Karl, my aunt Veronica, and my cousin Cornelia's boyfriend.

I am not going to attempt to guess at names of all the individuals on the picture on the left. It is the first time all (most) of the cousins have been together in a long time: My Mom and I sharing a moment before Oma's funeral. I was very happy to be able to get her there for the ceremony and thankful for the opportunity to be there as well, with her, with family. I only wish that Tara, Nikolas and my sisters Nina and Bridget could have made it.

My cousin Marcus' wife Heiki and their sons Patrick and Dominic: My cousin Johannes stopping by to drop of my Mom's suitcase (another story for another time)...if you've got car trouble he is the man to call.


Cousins Karl-Gerd (left) and Andreas (right). I spend much of my time growing up in Germany with the two of them and Marcus (below) hiking, swimming, skiing, exploring and getting into trouble. I couldn't have asked for better and closer friends. Now if I could just get them to come over to the US for a visit.

My Mom and aunt Veronica at her home in Bischofsgrun: The view of town from their dining room window hasn't changed much in the past 30+ years.

My cousin Marcus with his wife. He ran two marathons last year and plans on running the New York Marathon this year. We'll see if he makes it over to this side of the Atlantic. If he does we will make sure that we are there to with a beer at the finish line: Heiki and I at their house. I've had a few beers in me already as you can tell, courtesy of Marcus.

At Marcus' house (left to right): Aunt Anita and Uncle Wolfgang ( my Mom's brother), and my cousin Karl-Gerd's step daughter Virginia: Mom, Anita, Andreas and Virginia having Brot Zeit (Bavarian for Grub) at Marcus' kitchen.


Karl-Gerd and son Andreas..."amazing what you can see with your fathers thick glasses!" Andreas and Oma Veronica.

Mom's last night in Germany I drove her to Frankfurt the night before her flight so we didn't have to get up at O'dark thirty the next day. My Cousin Cornelia invited us both to dinner at the Grand Cru. She is the restaurant manager and Sommelier (wine expert) for Grand Cru (Textorstrasse 56, 60594 Frankfurt, phone# 069 626260, http://www.grand-cru-weinrestaurant.de/team.htm) and does an amazing job. If you are looking for EXCELLENT wine, food and a great atmoshpere stop by there and tell her Sven sent you.

My last day in Bischofsgrun I spent the afternoon on the slopes with my cousin Karl-Gerd...didn't think I would be skiing in Germany this year: Andreas and me taking a break from drinking some Gluhwein at the Maria Alm Hutte on our walk around the area.