Author: Peter Klopp

Eine ergreifende Liebesgeschichte – 5. Teil

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Gewitterwolken am Horizont

In der nächsten Zeit wohnen unsere Eltern in Quitzöbel in der schönen Lehrerwohnung. Am 9. Juli 1954 legt Mutti am Institut für Lehrerbildung in Schwerin die Staatliche Abschlussprüfung ab und ist jetzt eine richtige Lehrerin mit Lehrbefähigung für die Unterstufe der allgemeinbildenden Schulen. Im September wird Edda geboren, und eigentlich könnte jetzt alles so schön sein, wie es sich die beiden immer erhofft hatten. Doch schon waren neue Gewitterwolken am Horizont aufgetaucht. Von je her werden unzählige Probleme, die bei jungen Paaren die Harmonie der trauten Zweisamkeit stören und zu Spannungen führen, von Eltern und Schwiegereltern verursacht, die meinen, ihre eigenen Erfahrungen seien tiefgreifend genug, um sie auch den jungen Leuten überstülpen zu müssen. Gutgemeinte Ratschläge, eine gewisse Rivalität gegenüber Schwiegertochter oder Schwiegersohn, zu häufige Anwesenheit machen es jungen Paaren oft schwer, ihren eigenen Weg zu finden, der auch eigene Fehler mit einschließt.

0022 Edda 1955 mit Eltern

Eberhard und Elisabeth Trampenau mit der kleinen Edda – 1955

In diesem Fall waren es Eberhards Eltern, die sich getrennt hatten. Während Minna bei ihrer Tochter Edula in Berlin lebte, war man übereingekommen, Vater Albert mit nach Quitzöbel in die Lehrerwohnung zu nehmen. Nun war Albert ein nicht ganz einfacher Mensch, so wie auch sein Leben nicht gerade einfach gewesen war. Geboren wurde er in Ostpreußen, und zwar als uneheliches Kind. Seine Mutter, die als Magd auf einem Gutshof arbeitete und sich mit dem Gutsherrn wohl mehr als gut verstand, behielt das Ergebnis dieses guten Verhältnisses, den kleinen Albert, nicht bei sich, sondern gab ihn in ein Heim, wohl weil es in der damaligen Zeit völlig unmöglich war, als ledige Mutter ein Kind großzuziehen. Albert prahlte später oft mit dem „blauen Blut“, das in seinen Adern fließe, vielleicht war es aber auch nur Zynismus, der von seiner nicht sehr glücklichen Kindheit ablenken sollte. Er war ein sehr kluger Mann, sehr belesen, ein Unikum, der die Leute oft mit Bauchreden verblüffte. Er hatte eine starke Abneigung gegen die Kirche und war nicht nur ziemlich neugierig, sondern oft auch streitsüchtig. Und so blieb es nicht aus, dass es nicht selten Zoff gab, vor allem zwischen ihm und Elisabeth.

In seinem grenzenlosen Wissensdurst inspizierte Albert regelmäßig nicht nur Schränke und Schübe, sondern auch den Mülleimer. Elisabeth war in ihrem Humor häufig nicht gerade zimperlich, und so machte sie sich einmal den Spaß, aus den Hinterlassenschaften in Eddas Windel kleine braune Kügelchen zu formen und gut sichtbar im Müll zu platzieren. Und wirklich, es hat geklappt, wenig später sah man Albert sich heftig und gründlich die Hände schrubben…

Chapter 21 of the P. and G. Klopp Story – Part III

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Storm Clouds on the Horizon

In the meantime Biene had an exciting vacation with her family in Bavaria, often went paddling on Lake Ammer with her parents’ folding boat. She and her twin brother Walter almost drowned, when their boat capsized in a violent storm. They traveled to the German Alps and even took a gondola ride up to the Zugspitze, which is with an altitude of 3000 m the highest mountain in Germany. She returned home filled with wonderful memories. There was so much to tell, but the flow of letters began to ebb. The intervals between them began to widen into two-week gaps. Something must have happened that made me worry. Had my letters lost its fervor? Were the thoughts expressed too philosophical, self-centered, out of touch with reality? I could not tell.

Biene and her father on the Zugspitze 1963

Biene and her father on the Zugspitze 1963

Fall was a beautiful time in Koblenz. The park at the German Corner, located at the confluence the Rivers Moselle and Rhine, was ablaze with brilliant red, yellow and orange colors. There I often sat on a park bench alone away from the noisy inner city and read about the fall and utter destruction of Rome’s rival Carthage in Mommsen’s History of Rome. I was fascinated to discover that the cause of the three Punic wars was the same as of most other conflicts in the history of mankind, namely the desire for economic power and growth at the expense of some other country. I gained important insights into the ways in which imperialistic expansions were intertwined with a general decay of the moral fiber of a nation. I saw so many parallels in our modern world that I contemplated writing a novella on the mighty city on the North African shore, if I could only add and weave in some personal experiences to the story to make it more interesting. These experiences were coming my way faster than expected, and in the end I got more than I had bargained for. Indeed I would have preferred not to write the novella in exchange for the pleasant status quo.

Deutsches Eck in Koblenz, Germany

Deutsches Eck in Koblenz, Germany – Photo Credit: wikipedia.org

I had just settled into the routine of orderly army life with its duties of monthly night watches, sessions of theoretical and practical instructions and the occasional maneuvers, which I enjoyed more and more, because they took place in the great outdoors away from the stuffy barracks in the city. Then a command from the newly formed signal corps at Maxhof in Bavaria went out to all army divisions to provide two truck drivers each. Our crafty commanding officer in Koblenz selected private Gauke and me for the transfer effective October 1st, even though we had no driver’s license for those colossal Mercedes communications trucks. Obviously, he wanted to keep his precious truck drivers for himself. We were told that we would receive professional training and certification that could be very useful later on, when we returned to civilian life. However, it was immediately clear to my that with the transfer to Maxhof, I would lose out on the chance of becoming part of the upcoming officer’s training program. It would upon successful completion raise me to the rank of a lieutenant of the reserve with a much higher pay-out at the end of my two-year term. The wheels had been set in motion. I had no recourse to an appeal process. The decision was final. I was devastated.

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Peter in a contemplative mood at home in Watzenborn-Steinberg

August Otto Wilhelm Klopp (1884 – 1886) – Part II

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Amazing Fertility in the Face of Death

The euphoria during the following two and a half years was almost without limits, even though P.F.W.Klopp’s milling business was on the decline. Around the time of Christmas 1884, most likely while they were still living in Magdeburg, Friedrich Klopp went about having another child. Anna, born on September 29, 1885, was the eighth child in the ever-growing Klopp family. Friedrich took his clan and moved back to Jersleben, where he found accommodation and presumably gainful employment with one of the three mill owners of his apprenticeship years. There he devoted his energies to the creation of yet another offspring and succeeded at the beginning of March 1886 in getting his wife expecting again.

Weekly Market in Today's Magdeburg - Photo credit: magdeburg.de

Weekly Market in Today’s Magdeburg – Photo credit: magdeburg.de

At the beginning of the same month on March 5, 1886 the sickly August Otto Wilhelm passed away at the age of one year and seven months. This early childhood death points to the poor standards of hygiene in the mill environment at Jersfeld of this era and highlights the tribute, which the family had to pay at their return to their home turf. The loss was bearable and soon forgotten.

Midland Canal near Jerleben - Photo Credit: wikipedia.org

Midland Canal near Jerleben – Photo Credit: wikipedia.org

During the weeks of Emma’s mourning 33-year-old husband Friedrich provided plenty of physical comfort and warmth, the result of which excluded any fear of extinction of the male lineage in the Klopp family.  Exactly nine months later on December 8, 1886, Wilhelm, the fifth son and by now the ninth child, made his entrance into the family. August Otto Wilhelm is the only Klopp child to be buried in the cemetery of the Jersleben church yard.

Eine ergreifende Liebesgeschichte – 4. Teil

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Bitten um Verständnis

Am gleichen Tag erreichte die Familie ein Brief, in dem Elisabeth u.a. schrieb:

„Eberhard und ich haben an dem Tag, an dem Ihr diesen Brief bekommt, also am 4.6., geheiratet. Wir tun es deshalb so schnell, weil wir uns auf ein Kindchen freuen dürfen. Ich weiß nicht, ob es eine Entschuldigung dafür gibt, was ich Euch angetan habe! Das ist mein ganzer Kummer, denn ich habe Euch so lieb, dass es mir unsagbar weh tut, Euch so leiden zu sehen. Wenn Ihr könnt, verzeiht mir. Denkt bitte daran, dass auch Ihr, als Ihr liebtet, fest bei Eurem Entschluss bliebt. Über das, was geschehen ist, möchte ich nichts anderes sagen, als dass es aus Liebe geschehen ist. Ich habe lange darüber nachgedacht, konnte es aber nicht bereuen. Ihr wisst, dass ich es nicht ertragen würde, wenn Ihr nichts mehr von mir wissen wolltet. Ich brauche zu nötig Eure Liebe und Euer Verstehen.“

Glückliche Tage der Verliebten 1955 - Titel: Don Quichote auf Rosinante

Glückliche Tage der Verliebten 1955 – Titel: Don Quichote auf Rosinante

Auch Eberhard wendet sich an seine Schwiegermutter, unter anderem mit folgenden Zeilen: „Seit wir Gewissheit hatten, dass Elisabeth ein Kindchen haben würde, stand unser Entschluss fest, so schnell wie möglich zu heiraten. Sie werden das alles vielleicht nicht verstehen, Sie werden sehr böse auf mich sein und wer weiß was von mir denken, weil Sie mich zu wenig kennen. Ich verstehe das wohl. Die Zeit wird es beweisen, dass wir zueinander passen und glücklich sein werden.

Die kleine Edda mit Eltern 1955

Die kleine Edda mit Eltern 1955

In unseren Freudenbecher werden ein paar bittere Tropfen fallen. Wir wissen, dass Sie mit unserer Ehe nicht einverstanden sind. Aus diesem einfachen Grunde erhalten Sie so spät Nachricht von der bevorstehenden Trauung. Ich wünsche und hoffe nur das Eine: dass die Liebe des Mutterherzens in Ruhe und Besonnenheit die rechte Entscheidung fällt. Ich könnte mir nicht vorstellen, dass ein Mutterherz sich so verhärten kann. Wenn Sie mich auch nicht anerkennen, verschließen Sie Elisabeth nicht die Tür. Sollten Sie sich von uns abwenden, werden wir warten. Unsere Tür wird Ihnen stets geöffnet sein. Einmal werden Sie wieder gut sein, diesen Tag sehnen wir voller Hoffnung herbei.“

Diese eindringlichen Worte und Bitten um Vergebung haben scheinbar ihre Wirkung nicht ganz verfehlt. Schon bald findet im Haus von Elisabeths Mutter und ihrem Stiefvater Emanuel in Mellen ein kleines Fest statt, auf dem das jungvermählte Paar gefeiert und beglückwünscht wird. Gäste waren hier Eberhards Eltern, Minna und Albert, sowie Vera und Paul Rohra, ein befreundetes Ehepaar aus Mellen. Die Wogen haben sich zunächst geglättet und die Zukunft der beiden – und damit auch die unsrige – nimmt ihren Lauf.

 

Chapter 21 of the P. and G. Klopp Story – Part II

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To my dear blogging friends: Please note there will be only two posts next week. The one on Tuesday will continue with Anke Schubert’s submission in German: Eine ergreifende Liebesgeschichte, and the one on Thursday will be the next episode of the P.and G. Klopp Story. Canada is celebrating Victoria Day with one extra holiday for the month of May.

Discussion with a Friend on the Nature of Love

Mother had just returned from a visit to Gerry, daughter-in-law Martha and her one-year old grandson Wayne in Medicine Hat, Alberta. It so happened that I was on a ten-days leave and spent a relaxing vacation with her and Aunt Mieze, Aunt Lucie and Uncle Günther at their wonderful house in Watzenborn-Steinberg (Pohlheim). Mother talked a lot about her exciting trip to Canada. The proud grandmother had traveled with Gerry’s family over the Rocky Mountains all the way to beautiful British Columbia. Gerry described the countryside with its lush valleys, wild rushing streams, spectacular scenery and mild climate as God’s country. True to a long family tradition in the Kegler branch of the family, Mother wrote a report of her experiences of her journey to the land of the beavers.

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Mother Erika Klopp with Gerry on her visit to Canada

Biene’s school holidays were approaching. In 1962 her family had spent their vacation on the Mediterranean island of Corsica. Now they were planning to spend a couple of weeks at Lake Ammer in Bavaria. Even though I felt my love for Biene was getting stronger with every passing week, I did not openly declare it to her, because I erroneously assumed that she would already know. When she once asked me if I had ever been in love, I missed the golden opportunity to reveal what was on my heart. Instead I used a ride on my brand-new bicycle as a metaphor to describe in the most abstruse way the chaotic state of my inner being. I described how I got lost in the woods. I did not know which way to choose to get out. I dug deep into my psyche, too deep for comfort. Not yet realizing that the good and the evil lie close together within each and every human being, I criticized the world for failing to give me directions. Blind as a bat to my own flaws and weaknesses, I declared the entire world with its political systems, the church, and the army rotten and corrupt. These pathetic meanderings of my mind did very little to express my true feelings for her and would have been better left unsaid.

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Peter on his brand new bicycle

For the remaining three or four days I went on a bicycle tour with Dieter, my new army buddy. We traveled first up the River Moselle, then climbed up into the Eifel Mountains and stopped at a beautiful campsite named Pomerania, which reminded me of my grandparents’ lost home province in the east. At nightfall we sat in front of our tent looking at the rising moon in a cloudless sky. The day before I had bought a bottle of Moselle wine, a Riesling well-known for its distinguished qualities due to the grapes, which incredibly ripen more fully during extended periods of autumnal fog in the river valley. Gazing at the crescent of the rising moon I remarked, “If me girl-friend in Velbert also looked at the moon this very minute, our eyes would be fixed on the same heavenly object and in some esoteric way we would be connected with one another.”

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Famous Moselle Valley with Germany’s finest Vineyards

Dieter chortled a few times, before he retorted, “But my friend, don’t be an idiot. That is not the same as being physically present. When I kiss my beloved Heidi, I know real love, love that you cannot even fathom with your strange romantic ideas in your head.” And that was the beginning of a long discussion on the nature of love. When we had savored the last drop of the wine and were ready to crawl into the tent, we had moved away from our opposite points of view and found some middle ground. We agreed that in order for a relationship to be meaningful both the physical and spiritual dimensions would have to be present. We learned something important from each other. As for me, I resolved to arrange a rendezvous with Biene at the first opportunity that would offer itself in the near future. But you never know to start with, how things turn out in the end.

10 days in ‘heavenly’ California!

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Alok Singhal's avatarThe Learning Curve

I so love traveling to new places – there is something about them that calls me often!

We always wanted to cover the West Cost, a trip that materialized for us early last month (after being in the U.S. for 5 years). We chose to fly with United this time and for rental car I always trust Enterprise.

We had 10 days to see the best of California, and though we wanted to see Grand Canyon and Las Vegas too, that would have made it too hectic for us. So, we took them off the plan and here’s how the layout looked for us – starting with San Francisco and driving clockwise all the way back to it. Essentially, that meant spending at the most 2 days at each major locationhighlighted in the map…had to adjust for travel time too.alok singhal travel blog

I and Saru are Nature lovers, so our outings are…

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