40 years ago today, the SS United States docked at pier 86 in New York, New York. A sea-sick young man and his terrified and already homesick new bride walked the gangplank and set foot on American soil. For him it was a homecoming. For her it was the beginning of a new life. Not that her old life really needed changing. But that’s what love will do to you…
They moved into an apartment unit attached to his mother’s house in the grand metropolis of Barclay, Maryland. Barclay is a little more than a cross-road with a stop sign (I think they have a flashing light now). At the time, it had a total of 86 residents. This young couple had just upped the count to 88.
In the 40 years that passed they moved to Delaware, bought a nice little home, and had two beautiful children. The children were lucky to grow up in a household with a second language and a loving family far away in a strange and distant land. These children were exposed to a life most Americans – hell, most people no matter where they’re from – never get to experience. Every year, they got to live for 6 to 8 weeks of the year in (what was then) West Germany. They learned to speak the language. They made German friends. During one of these trips, their stay was extended and they even got to experience school in a foreign land. 8th grade started out pretty weird for their oldest child that year. In the end, the greatest and most treasured lesson of all was that of perspective.
Of course, other things happened along the way. The couple is no longer married, but they did survive about 20 years which is pretty good by today’s standards. And that young bride eventually relinquished her German citizenship and became an American Citizen. In fact, she’s lived here longer now then she lived in Germany. And she considers this her home now.
Welcome home, mom.