I am from concrete streets, cigarette smoke, broken glass, and loud jazz/schlager music past midnight from the kneipen(bars)
Confetti-fi lled streets, Lindt Chocolate, fl owers, and parades all week. Dancing arm in arm with my friends in Costume through Rosenmontag Watching the fi reworks of Kölner Lichter on my best friend’s balcony.
I am from breezy spring days, picnics in the park, getting popsicles from the Kiosk, and Friday movie nights. Annual Sunday family gelato trips to Porta Romana after church, visiting the new baby ducks and geese at the pond. Going to the zoo, The fl ora, and afternoon pizza from Rewe or Lostaria with maracuja Schorle.
I am from freezing winters that last for months, Christmas markets with ice skating, Pyramiden, Glühwein, and brightly lit advents Kranzen. A walnut, orange, and chocolate in our shoes on Sankt Nicolaus tag. Peering outside to see the children with their lanterns march through the streets on Sanktmartin’s tag. A new yearly ornament for the Christmas tree and watching for the fi rst snow from my windowsill.
I am from buses, trains, and numerous plane trips to annual conferences, retreats, mission trips, and required legal renewals. Shopping outings with my mama to Neumarkt. Dreary mornings sick, reading, or laying around at the dance studio while Mama trained and taught
Monday nights of tomato soup and Marvel movies with Papa. Wednesdays making sandwiches, working at the pottery studio, and helping Papa clean up
Lastly, I am from.. I am from a family of strong survivors, dreamers, love, acceptance, and fun. Happy memories, struggling times, dark years, and hardships. Struggling pasts, trauma, and frequent changes in what to call home. I am from two amazingly wonderful parents, My country i hold so dear, and my wonderful city ofköln in Nordrhein-Westfalen.
--Sofia B., 9th-12th Grade