I was born in 1939, three months before Nazi Germany unleashed World War II. I come from a working-class family in Jena. My father and mother worked for the VEB Schott and Gen. We had no relatives in the West. I wasn't enthusiastic about the "change" because I knew from my mother and later from my in-laws that capitalism meant unemployment. My late husband also came from a working-class family. During my time at the Semper Opera House, initially working as an admissions attendant, I had several unpleasant encounters with West German visitors, which reinforced my prejudices against West Germans. In 1997, I applied for a health resort. It was approved, and I was picked up on December 31, 1997. I still don't have a driver's license. I went to a health resort in Bad Salzuflen. That's how I came "to the West" for the first time. It was a bit of an adventure for me. This beautiful old town with its half-timbered houses, the saltworks, the spa gardens, and the brine swimming pool. I took advantage of the day trips offered and got to know some of the surrounding sights. One day, I was studying the information board in the spa clinic and read that a classical orchestra concert was taking place in the spa house. That was exactly my taste. As I was studying the board, a spa guest joined me, and we struck up a conversation. We met again on the day of the concert, and during the break and at the end of the walk home, we exchanged our impressions. Two days later, in the morning, as I was returning from a treatment, this gentleman was sitting in the foyer and stuck his label on my treatment book, which is how I learned his name, address, and telephone number. Back in Dresden, I called at the beginning of February 1988. From then on, we had long phone conversations. After visiting each other, the decision matured to master the rest of our lives together. So, in May 1999, I moved to Uedem, where I was warmly welcomed by the neighbors, and his family also accepted me. I've seen and learned a lot in the more than 20 years I've lived there. I've revised some things and overcome prejudices.
