A two week auto trip from one end of Germany to the other.                                                                             check

Writing material purchased at Dachau for my novel research.                                                                  check

Architectual beauty, fields of flowers, forest, lakes, castles, alps, churches

                                                        check

Thank God the Weight Watcher angel spoke only German, so I was able to ignored her completely.                                    check

Every meal was a delightful experience, indoors, as well as those of outdoor café style.                                               check

That said, what will I remember and cherish most?

I’ll remember Judy, Shirl, and Kiwi; the best of friends, who surrounded me with laugher day and night for two solid weeks, my friend Lois and her sister Marie for making the lovely gifts to bring to Nadja’s baby Bruno, I’ll remember Nadja arriving in the USA and living at my home when she came to Woods Hole to do scientific research. I’ll remember how sad I felt when she returned to Germany, because she became like a daughter to me, I’ll remember Roberto Bruno’s daddy, Nadja’s mom and dad, and Nadja’s aunt and uncle. I’ll remember the most heartfelt greeting we received when we first arrived at the roadside ramp off the highway; Nadja’s sweet German family of six, waving the American Flag at us. I’ll remember the good luck booties Nadja’s mother, Matina, gave me, so that I too may become a GRAMMY some fine day, and I’ll remember leaving Nadja’s town on Mother’s Day, as the hotel clerk handed me what I thought was a bill, but it was a Mother’s Day picture card of Nadja and her beautiful baby Bruno. The card said Happy Mother’s Day from your German daughter. Memories yes!. I shed tears of happiness about this trip of a lifetime with people I love, and this is what I’ll remember.

People come into our lives for a reason, and I never question why, I just thank God.

JOAN