Symbols of Hope

Im going through alot of changes right now. And aside from the fact that I cannot read 3 quarters of the words on the street, I shop, I eat, I live my life as a fully functional Berliner... well, almost...

There are certain things I miss. Understanding what people are saying in a grocery store, in the bar, on the train. Someone asked me for directions the other day and all I could say was "Mein deutch ist nict gut." Wanting to help and not being able to. Wanting to say, "yes, I would like a receipt with that." Wanting to say, "Im really not interested in your sign." But alas, I am an outsider. A foreigner. An immigrant.

But just when I think Im crazy for moving someplace where I dont speak the language, Berlin sends me a sign. Walking down the street with my two Susannes, I found the lady liberty. Literally. A small 4 foot statue just sitting on the side of the road, broken and discarded. Realizing that one womans trash is another ones treasure, I picked her up, dusted her off and took her on the train with me. She is in my room now. A symbol. A monument. A little piece of my country to say, "hey, its all right, you are welcome here." My very own Ellis Island experience. And maybe its the struggle but I have to say that never in my life have I felt this free.