Kindness of Strangers
In 1973, I traveled to Germany as a 19-year-old student. At the time,
I had a congenital heart defect that hadn't yet been surgically
corrected. After a 13-hour charter flight, I landed in
Frankfurt-am-Main. I had to catch a train in Frankfurt to reach my
final destination, Kassel-am-Fulda in Hesse.
I had to move pretty quickly from one part of the railway station to
another, lugging this HUGE suitcase (I'd packed for 6 weeks in
Germany), and by the time I got where I needed to be I was wiped out.
I must have looked pretty bad, because a kind lady asked if I was all
right. I explained the situation as best I could--my German was
pretty good back then--and the lady found a bench for me to lie down
on and bought me a packet of German short-breads (I still remember
the brand, Butterkeks). Then she left to go about her own business.
I never did learn her name. I got to Kassel fine and had a wonderful
six weeks. This lady's kindness was a fabulous introduction to
Germany.
Nancy
{ This Week's Index | Next Letter }
{ Main Letters Page }
