After Christmas

Christmas came and Christmas went
We all had a very good time
All the family got together
The excitement was not just mine
The ohs and ahs of Sebastian
Made all the wrapping worthwhile
I sat and watched him open gifts
Had to be reminded to open mine
The grownups had their surprises
Santa was really great
Or somebody in the family
Must have known every body’s taste
I even got a Christmas stocking
For the first time in my life
Filled with goodies and chocolate
I could not believe my eyes.
On Christmas Eve Sebastian
Had certainly stirred me to tears
When he read a German poem
Which took me back some years
When every child in the family
Had to recite a Christmas rhyme
In front of the tree shining with light
And hung with decorations sublime
During the week I kept busy
Had walks or invitations for tea
The neighbours’ cookies were tasty
The Geneva as smooth as could be.
The New Years Eve was spent with friends
We had lots of food and wine
We talked and laughed and had some fun
And all sang “Auld lang syne”
Now we are open for new events
As the New Year is already here
We won’t sit still, but take our fill
Of friendship, love and good cheer.

Lydia Ehmcke
January 2015

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Christmas 2014

When Christmas is here, it gets colder outside
And snowflakes are coming along
We are cozy and warm in our quarters at home
And are humming a festive song

When decorations go up in December
They bring with them a certain air
You feel like writing Christmas greetings
To loved ones and friends far and near

Some of the decorations are precious
Attached wit memories strong
Some of them are family heirlooms
And remind you of loved ones long gone

There are Christmas presents to think of
Surprises for big ones and small
Not just for family and dear ones
But for people who need help most of all

With snow on the ground and lit candles inside
We all get into a festive mood
There are concerts and Christmas Luncheon
And everybody feels friendly and good

Christmas makes us all feel warm inside
No matter what kind of weather is near
We gather together in friendship and love
And are happy to see you all here

This Christmas again we are thankful
For everything we have got
We enjoy the peace in this country
Which some other countries have not.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Lydia Ehmcke
December 2014

Recognition

Recognition can mean different things
Greetings, Salutations, Notice, Admission, Awareness and Cognizance.
My story is simply about being recognized as a person. I do not expect it to happen, but when it occurs I feel quite happy about it.
I was working at the desk at Askennonia Senior Centre last Wednesday when two ladies came in, looked at me and said: “Oh, it’s you!” I wondered: “Is that good or bad?” I had no idea who they were, I thought I had not seen them before. They had lots of questions for me. One wanted to become a member, one was a member already and both wanted to know about the computer course. When all business was settled, I asked them how come they knew me. One lady said: “You are Lydia, I remember you from the Spring Fashion Show and the other one remembered me from the Historical Luncheon, when my video was first shown. She was fascinated with the story of my escape from my hometown Danzig to Denmark and then back to Germany and remembered every detail. I complimented her on her memory, it must have been three years ago when it was shown. I thought it was remarkable.
Two days later I went to a Gala at the MCC with friends from out of town. There I met Janet, one of the ladies from Wednesday. She greeted me like an old friend, looked me over and hugged me.
“Wait until I tell my sister about this. She just told me ‘Nobody gets dressed up anymore’ Boy is she wrong!” I laughed and enjoyed the compliment.
After intermission I got back into the hall for the concert, where Jody was the MC for the evening. I had barely sat down when Jody/Jamie recognized me in the front row. Jamie organizes our fashion shows and knows me well. It did not take long and he announced: Ah, there is my favourite fashion model. You must all come to Askennonia and see her. She walks like this” and he strutted daintily along the front of the stage. Everybody was laughing. Boy, was I recognized.
It was a little embarrassing at first, but then I could not wipe the smile off my face.
On the following Sunday I took a walk with friends through Little Lake Park when a car stopped and the driver called out “MUTTI” and waved me over. It was the daughter of a former neighbor and a friend of Victoria’s who wanted to talk to me. We held up the traffic and finally had to move on.
Next came along the Deputy Mayor and told the friends I was with, that I taught him German in Kindergarten and Grade one and two and he has to thank me that he still speaks it. He is a teacher at the local High school now. Was I proud? Just a little bit.
We had visitors from Germany with us who took it all in. They were amazed and said: “We can tell that this is your home town and you are well known!”
Recognition every where I went.
Just the other day at a Funeral Parlor somebody recognized me as “You are Lydia from Rolfoto!”
I used to work there thirty years ago and I had not seen this customer since. I must have made an impression and all I can say is: “It is nice to be recognized.”
Lydia Ehmcke

Remembering

I remember the time when the children were small

It was a time when I thought I had it all

I wanted for nothing, well maybe a new dress

But money was scarce, so I couldn’t care less

Happiness was ours, excitement and joy

Three lovely children, obliging and coy

They gave us no trouble, they were really good kids

We enjoyed being with them and loved them to bits

In school they excelled, we took it for granted

The teachers convinced us, they really meant it

It made me feel good, I was doing things right

Looking after husband and children was a delight

Every day was different and interesting too

Some of their questions could have stunned even you

For instance, when one little one asked: “Tell me Mommy,

How did that baby get into your tummy?”

On Sundays we took them to a park or the zoo

Sometimes for a drive down a country lane too

To see cows and horses and birds sitting on wire

To see trees and wild flowers and never tire

It was a wonderful time, motherhood felt good

Life was embracing us, as we knew it would.

It’s good to look back and remember how once

I was surrounded by love, laughter and dance

The time was so precious, I will treasure it all

And be thankful for memories I can always recall.

Lydia Ehmcke

Nov. 2014

Enchantment

I am sitting here with nothing to do
Everything looks inviting
Nothing really happened to day
Yet I feel like writing

Everything seems to be going well
Life is still exciting
Therefor I am feeling good
And I feel like writing

The weather is good, the air feels fresh
The roses bloom in deep red
It rained a little, but now it stopped
It’s too early to go to bed

The “Rose of Sharon” is in full bloom
We planted it in memory of Frankie
There are many things when I look around
To remind me of Gerhard and Frankie

The garden looks green and beautiful
With dabs of colour thrown in
The Teahouse in the middle majestically
Beckons for you to come in

Come in, enjoy the serenity
of a quiet late afternoon
Hold out your glass, I fill it with wine
You will feel the enchantment soon.

Lydia Ehmcke

In Our Garden

The tall, tall tree sways slowly in the breeze
Blackbirds wander over the lawn
Robins take a sun bath in the sand
and meet at the bird bath for a drink and a splash
Chipmunks stand quite still and watch my every move
A black squirrel scampers up the apple tree
And a hummingbird takes his fill at the feeder
The sun shines on the red flowers
And makes them stand out like rubies
All is very quiet
Is there a better place to be
On a hot Saturday afternoon?

Lydia Ehmcke

Love, Love is all I need

Life is something precious
I have had it all my life
It started with my Grandmamma
When I was just a mite
My Mama loved me dearly
My Papa was real proud
My brothers did not show it much
But I know love was about
My friends loved being with me
My bosses full of praise
Along then came a young man
Who stole my heart away
We just had to be together
Every hour of the day
It was not normal, surely
Or was it love at play?
The love just grew and sprouted
We married finally
And had three lovely children
Who we loved instantly
As you live on you notice
The love just grows and grows
This must be life’s great motive
It takes away all woes
But then one day it happened
The love of my life went away
He left me without warning
How can I now cope every day
Well the memories stay with you
They give you strength to move on
The love will never leave you
If you try to pass it on
The Grandson now will share it
All my affection and love
The more you give, the more you get
That is important in love

Lydia Ehmcke
June 2014