It’s been 36 years since I was last in Germany, and this trip has been truly special. I have always been German, but Australian at the same time. And being born and raised in Singapore has only added to the complexity of this strange but interesting life. Something is stirring inside me that can’t really be described.
We made the decision to take this incredible trip with the kids for so many reasons. My Australian mum is gone now – the reason I started this business – and my German dad isn’t getting any younger. In fact, we couldn’t have made the trip if it weren’t for Mum’s bitter sweet gift, and I think about her often. She would be so happy, especially for her grandchildren.
On day four of our trip I found the local Friedhof (cemetery) and double checked with my Aunt next door, that this was where Oma and Opa were. In my broken German and “mit hand und fuß” as she would say, we worked out that it was. We made our way between the spelt and the corn down a narrow road and in a few minutes we were there.
The Friedhof was so different to anything I’d seen back home. Lush and green, with hedges surrounding family plots. No symmetry aside from the line of pumping stations and watering cans. Everything else was unique, each plot so different. Large, well established trees in some, wooden benches within the hedged areas of others. Some had paved or stoned foot steps so you can walk up to the headstone of your loved one.
We found Oma and Opa together, their plot partially hedged and with an array of succulents and flowers chosen and maintained by my family here. It was beautiful. Rather than leaving flowers to die or plastic flowers to fade, the plot is a bed of flowers. Most of the plots had a myriad of flowers growing. There is something special about seeing so much living in this place for the dead.
I would love to bring this part of Germany back with me… I’ll put this on the ideas list for Rest along with natural burial grounds. A living cemetery.