Reflections

I've been trying to connect with my German heritage much more. Usually, immigrating to another country forces you to focus on the new language and culture. But, having been in Germany quite a few times last year, I started to miss the language and culture. I wish I could live in Europe for a while, connecting with the culture, living a more European lifestyle.

This is not to say I'm not happy with my life in the US. But it feels as if some part of me doesn't get the American lifestyle, doesn't get the whole culture and sometimes I'm just shaking my head, thinking: 'WTF'.

Since a move back is not in the cards, I started to connect with German culture again, read more German online publications, speak more German and listen to more German music.
One of my favorites has been and still is Herbert Groenemeyer (You might recognize him from 'Das Boot') He doesn't have much of a voice and not the biggest charisma. But he gives you an insight into the German soul.

The song below was written in 2002, 4 years after the death of his wife, Anna Henkel. The lyrics tell the story.



THE WAY

I can no longer see
Don't believe my eyes
any more
Can hardly believe
Feelings all turned around

I'm much too lazy
To give up
Besides it would be too soon
Because there's always a way

We were bound together
Would have died for
each other
Bent the rain into a bow1
Lent each other our trust

We tried to
Turn while
schussing
Nothing was too late
But much was too soon

We have shoved each other
Through all the tides
We got sidetracked together
Loved desperately

We denied the truth
The best we could
It was a piece
of heaven
That you exist

Every room you
Flooded with sun
Every frustration
You turned around

Nordic noble
Your gentle goodness
Your untamed pride
Life isn't fair

Danced the movie
In a silver room
From a golden balcony
We stood in awe of eternity

Helplessly sunken, drunken
And everything was allowed
Together in time-lapse
Midsummer-Night's Dream

Every room you
Flooded with sun
Every frustration
You turned around

Nordic noble
Your gentle goodness
Your untamed pride
Life isn't fair

Your confident stride
Your true poetry
Your serene dignity
Your unshakeable
grace

Your destiny
You defied
You never betrayed
Your plan for happiness
Your plan for happiness

I'm not leaving here
I've extended my stay
New time travel
Open world

I have you safe
Inside my soul
I'll carry you with me
Until the curtain falls

I'll carry you with me
Until the curtain falls