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Only One of my Children is Growing Up in a Safe Country
Life in the US vs. Germany
Last Friday, there were celebrations for St. Martin’s Day across Germany. In the square of our small town, children marched in a procession of lanterns that ended in front of the church that is only a stone’s-throw away from our house. We took our daughter out to the fire, and she quickly ran off to play with some other local children.
We stood talking with some other moms, drinking the first Glühwein of the season, and enjoying being outdoors in the firelight. While we were talking, I made sure to always keep my daughter in sight. One of the moms asked me about it, reassuring me that our town is very safe, and noting that her children were older and would watch after my daughter.
American habits die hard, I told her. I have only been back in Germany since July. We started talking about active shooter drills that they have in the US, which is something unheard of here in the German countryside.
Here, children are free to run and play. The older ones show care for the little ones, and make sure that they are safe. They can run around outside at night, in the open air, eating sweets and feeling free.
This, in sharp contrast to what is happening in American schools today in the aftermath of the 2024 election.
