The Patchwork: A Thank You to My Friends

The Patchwork

There's a bitter-sweetness to life here. It's a complicated, confusing mess sometimes, but perhaps the ignorance does bring a slice of bliss now and then. I've ventured far, and gambled big, and so far, I must say, I'm not regretting any of it. I felt whole in America, and I was comfortable, and confident. After moving to Berlin, I felt like the pieces that composed the quilt of my being were ripped apart at the seams, and I lay in patches in the floor. In the beginning, I felt this city literally ate me alive at times.

With the passing months, however, I'm being put back together, one piece at a time. Not in the same way as before, but in a different, unique pattern that sometimes surprises even me. And it's not just myself I have to credit for the rebuilding. It's my friends, my network that I've been so fortunate and blessed to create in this new place. I have made more friends than I ever thought possible for introverted-by-nature self, and these amazing people have taught me something, whether showing me a map of my neighborhood and explaining the lay of the land, or guiding me through the kita process. They've shown me how to recycle my plastic bottles at the grocery store for money, and explained traffic rules for biking. They've taken me on car tours around outlying suburbs, and invited me into their homes for dinner. They've included me in lunch groups and play groups. They've put up with my "energetic" boys, and they've been patient with me as I tried my best to adapt to a life with which they are already familiar. I have my friends to thank for my rebuilding, and I don't know where I would be today if it weren't for the friends who were willing to help me and spend time getting to know me and my family.

Yes, making friends took some reaching out on my part, which I wasn't accustomed to, and never had to do growing up around family in the same town, but I've been amazed at what people are willing to do to help if I only ask. As a result, I've found strength I never knew I had, and I've tried new things and different ways of life I never knew I would try. I've seen cultures and people come together to help one another, and believe it or not, I've also seen underneath the frosty German exterior, and what's underneath is warm and kind, and dare I say, accepting (on most days!). I am grateful for learning all that I've learned in the past several months, and I look forward to learning more and growing more in the process. I do still have so very far to go, and with a little help from my friends, I look forward to making the patchwork quilt whole again.

*****