Enjoy Life; Eat Dessert First

Our time in the Eifel is drawing to a close. So much has happened; so many experiences to ponder; so many memories to share with our family back home.

I admit to the ancestors that I am getting a bit homesick - that often happens near the end of a journey.

After our usual breakfast with Peter and Christel, we work on various chores. David goes on a walk about town to take photos. I prepare clothes for the last three days of our stay. Christel chats on the phone with our sister, Maria. It is a wonderful, relaxing morning.

Christel and Peter have been generous hosts. We take them out to the Balkan Restaurant for dinner- an excellent meal, shared by four old friends. The owner again insists we finish off with a liqueur - this time the traditional Yugoslavian plum brandy - very strong! Good thing we are on foot and don't have far to go.
Some of us doze off for a while - David is on the computer, again - eyes rolling. When we are all awake, we give Christel and Peter a piece of pottery from our favourite artist - Steve Smith, from Talking Earth Pottery on the Six Nations Reserve near Brantford. Steve's pottery has been presented to such notables as Queen Elizabeth II and is known throughout North America. He is a wonderful friend and he knows about this trip of discovery.

We are scheduled to go to Koffee and Kuchen at our sister-in-law, Helga's home. She is the wife of our late brother, Bernhard. Bernhard died in 1990 - at the young age of 57. Bernhard and Helga also had a son, Friedhelm, who died in 1984. There is one son remaining, Guenter, who has two children. But today we will only be meeting Helga.

Peter drops us off at Helga's - he has to drive grandchildren to music lessons in a neighbouring community and will be joining us later.

Christel and Peter spend many hours driving children to piano, flute, drum, and riding lessons as well as to other after school activities. They enjoy being so involved in their grandchildren's lives. It is such a close-knit loving family. What more could one ask in life?

Helga welcomes us with a big hug and a warm, engaging smile. She has the table set for the Koffee and Kuchen - but first we start out with some wonderful liqueur from the Eifel region. When Peter joins us, we toast with champagne. At this point Christel makes the sacrifice to be the designated driver. The other four finish off the champagne with much merriment!

I think we may even toast with wine as well - I don't remember - I just remember the joy, the giggles, the uproarious laughter. Oh, the Koffee and Kuchen - well that is there as well, in great abundance. Kuchen first, Koffee later, then meat and cheese later on.... the motto, Life is Short, Eat Dessert First, aptly represents our afternoon!

Finally it is time to go back to Christel and Peter's. Christel gets us all back home safely - well, we could have walked it as well in this small town. Peter leaves his keys at Helga's, David leaves his hat (what else is new?) - where are our heads?

Fritz-Peter and Brigitte drop by for a brief visit - they will stay longer tomorrow for a proper good-bye. The four of us - Christel and Peter, David and I - watch a movie on tv. Christel and I share some more favourite songs. Tomorrow is our last day in the Eifel, and it is time to sleep.