Lindenhof Deutsch

The memory I keep coming back to is the little lady who picked grapes from her yard, rinsed them with water from her hand-pumped well, and insisted we eat them. She spoke no English, German, French, or Spanish, so between us we ran out of languages. We kept thanking her as we ate, each grape bursting like sunshine in our mouths. It felt like more proof that people are good at heart. I think the people we hear bad things about have been twisted by terrible trauma, while those who remain innocent stay good to the bone. This was a business trip to Bad Tatzmandorf, Austria, made possible by my wife's encouragement about my work at Compaq and my boss Brian's direction. While I taught the classes I'd designed for work, Susanne worked out what we could see and do. We stayed on after work wrapped up to fit in more, visiting castles, drinking Appel Most, eating Schmaltzbrot mit Zwiebeln, driving west across Austria, then east into Hungary. I'm grateful too to the three women at the Post, where I exchanged money and bought stamps. A teenager studying German in High School translated between us and the other two women, one handling the money and one selling stamps. They worked from separate windows about four feet apart, despite the supplies being within reach of both. I later learned it was so neither woman would be left without work. A remnant of communismus, funny in practice, but also compassionate and fair. Thanks to the staff where we stayed, and to my boss and his wife for befriending us. Most of all, thanks to Susanne, my strongest supporter and cheerleader. Without her I'd be nothing. This was a wonderful memory from a time when life felt about as perfect as it ever did, and stayed that way for a few more years. I still love her dearly, and am grateful for all she's done for me, taught me, and for trying to save me from myself. With loving kindness to everyone who encouraged me and helped me along the way, making it possible to share these beautiful things with Susanne. May you all be well, happy, and peaceful!