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Political relief came from US voters, who decided in the mid-term elections to send a clear signal that our democratic freedom would continue. In doing so, they have also slowed down the increasing mendacity and dishonesty. Yes, in recent years the media have spread increasingly brazen claims that were not only false, but also pursued sinister political goals, with which some want to take advantage of others, as the examples in Russia and unfortunately now also in China show. A society cannot function if everyone lies to everyone else and if trust as the basis for our coexistence is no longer available. Then nothing works and disaster ensues, as we are currently experiencing in the Ukraine. Interestingly, the youngest of us have realized this and are fighting back over the struggle to preserve truth and our Earth’s physical survival.
Despite our political trepidation, our life as an 80-year-old was accordingly leisurely. There is little exciting to report. In February, Max, the youngest and impressive son of Hannes Wacha from Frankfurt visited us. Hannes is an old friend from the foundation times of Paul Ehrlich Society’s ‘Peritonitis Working Group’ and of the foundation of the Surgical Infection Society Europe (SIS-E) in 1987, at the Congress Center in Hamburg. Hannes had also invited Dietmar to the 20th anniversary speech of the SIS-E in the "Römer" in Frankfurt. Surrounded by statues of all the German emperors, it was for him his most impressive lecture venue ever.
For our wedding anniversary in March, we treated ourselves to a fine meal with a Pauillac and Crêpes Suzettes at Roessler’s, the local gourmet restaurant. Later three of our five granddaughters, Fritzi, Sabine and Meike joint us for a similar memorable event. In May, Don and Diane from Wisconsin visited us and we engaged in heated discussions, as always, despite our old age
For Dietmar's birthday in June, his brother Volker and Jutta and their world-traveling son Nils visited us. The time with them was, as always, very pleasant, although Dietmar shimmered in all colors of degrading hemoglobin after falling on his face. Nils then came a second time to substitute Heidi in her minder role for Dietmar after a Da Vinci prostate resection.
Heidi, then flew to Hamburg and happily spent hours with her last class, that was celebrating it’s 40th graduation this year. This class reunion was integrated into a full program of visits with many good friends. Bärbel, her friend since the 10th grade, came from Zürich and they spent a sunny afternoon at Op'n Bull'n on the sunny Elbe. Heidi also had time to chat with her newest friends Wilfried and Ursel from northern Schleswig-Holstein in front of the Elbphilharmonie and to deepen their friendship. A trip through the Alster canals with Maria and Karin ended with lunch at the Alster Pavilion. Our good friend Gisa met Heidi in the Vlet restaurant for an intimate exchange of ideas by the fireplace. This was continued another afternoon with an evening school friend
The highlight of this trip, however, was seeing our granddaughter Daphne again! She spends five months at a high school in Hamburg and all her free time "of course" on the soccer field. For her 16th birthday, there was a happy family celebration at Volker and Jutta's, which was crowned the next day by a shopping spree - grandma and granddaughter.
In Hamburg, Heidi did not live with her very ill friend Ingrid, but with Max and Marlies, old friends from her political past. Nevertheless, Heidi visited Ingrid at home and with Ingeborg and Wolfgang at Schillers in their garden like in the old days. It was nice to relive our memories from almost 40 years of Tanzkreis friendship. These memories are precious now as Wolfgang and Ingrid passed in November
In September, Annemarei visited us on the occasion of a lecture tour to various universities in Germany, France and the USA, as well as internships at the Charité in Berlin and the Sarasota Memorial Hospital. We enjoyed the few days with our daughter and made Christmas plans.
Mark's annual Oktoberfest was canceled again this year due to the devastation caused by IAN, the worst hurricane we've ever seen. We also spent Thanksgiving as a mini celebration the night before, since Mark had to go to the regatta in Miami with Sara and daughter Jade, who has Olympic ambitions.
Now we look forward to Christmas, which seems to be a special one after many years, as our entire family is planning to celebrate with us here on Casey Key, possibly for the last time. Happy holidays and a peaceful 2023,
Love - Dietmar und Heidi