Life goes on

Four years ago, in June 2013, I retired from my job and from my profession and left US a month later. I had lived there since 1976 with a 16 month break in 1982/83. Now I live in Berlin, Germany. Many ask me how I feel about having left and whether or not I wish to return. Well, I feel good about having left and do not wish to return to the States and do not even miss it; although, I miss my friends. How come?

It must be because I lived a full life, had a great career, married five times in the States, lived in 4 different states, traveled in all but the New England states, experienced life fully. Occasionally I reminisce about some of my experiences and I feel joy that I had them, never wishing to repeat them at all.

I remember my first step outside of the airport in Austin, TX, late at night in July, 1976, a young kid in a brand new place feeling that Texas muggy heat. Not much was known to me about the US outside of the movies and books -- it was all new. For the first few weeks I wanted to return home so badly until one day I looked up into the skies and saw clouds. Those clouds looked just the same as they looked at home. Then that evening I looked up at the Moon -- still the same Moon. I started to melt.

Then I dived into the American experience full speed. I loved it, I loved Austin, I loved Texas, I loved listening to country music, going to .

I found a girlfriend who lived on Nueces Street and drove her 65 Rambler with a hole in the floor (she called the car Ramblerett). She was beautiful, smart, fun, I will never forget those beautiful long legs and many, many hours spent in her poor-student apartment with no air conditioning, skin to skin. (I must tell a secret here, she was my teacher during my orientation months in Austin. Oh well, I never said I was perfect.)

She introduced me to Willie and Waylon, The Eagles, Freddy Fender, Johnny Cash, Simon and Garfunkel, Emmy Lou, Bonnie Raitt, and many more; took me to Broken Spoke, Split Rail, World Armadillo Headquarters to dance, bowling in some bowling alley on Lamar street, Barton Sprigs to swim and play frisbee (and have my first joints). I made friends with some of her friends (Luis, his wife and baby girl come to mind).

I had a huge number of wonderful experiences, those experiences were uniquely beautiful and could not be repeated. I did not miss a beat. There is much more to tell.