Mutti

She did it. After renewing her passport and taking her first flight in over a decade, my mom came to Berlin to visit us!{Ben was thrilled to be with his “Mumu”}

{Making breakfast smoothies together}

We knew she wasn’t here to see the sights of Berlin. But to see her boys. So we spent most of our time relaxing in the apartment together.

We did travel to Western Germany to have a big family reunion with our cousins in her late uncle Joseph’s home in Wissen.

{Enjoying meals overlooking the countryside was the highlight of our time with our Germany cousins}

{We brought marshmellows to roast on the camp fire}

{Country boys at heart}

{We were treated to a concert by Chenya, Christoph’s wife, who is a world class pianist and university professor}

{Christoph and Chenya perform together}

{Happy times at the water park in Wissen}

{These three were inseparable}

{A highlight was visiting a Wasserschloss Crottorf near the family home}

Since my mom had requested visiting a castle, we took a side trip to Heidelberg.

{Our newly discovered distant cousin, Judith, is a student at Heidelberg University. She took Dave and I out for a private tour our first night there while Mutti and the boys crashed at our apartment.}

{Up the funicular for fantastic views of Heidelberg}

{Mutti really enjoyed Heidelberg}

We headed home and again settled into a relaxing pace in the Berlin apartment.

While she was here, Dave and I were grateful to have the opportunity to take a two night trip to Croatia. We made sure Mutti and the boys were left with plenty of food so they wouldn’t have to leave the apartment. Which they didn’t. They were in heaven.

When we got home, we only had one final day together. So we went to see The Secret Lives of Pets in 3D at Potsdamer Platz.

{Movie Time in Potsdamer Platz}

{Part of the Berlin Wall}

{Currywurst and German potato salad break}

{Prater Biergarten, Berlin’s oldest}

We went out for our last dinner at Berlin’s oldest biergarten, Prater. Pfifferlings (chanterelles) are in season now, so we all enjoyed dishes containing them.

Then it was time for her to go back to Atlanta. It was not easy, but she seemed open to coming again. Which was progress. I felt as though I was heading off to college again when I said goodbye at the airport. Getting here was not easy. Or quick. And I didn’t know when I would see her again. I guess no matter how old you get, saying good bye to your mom is never easy.

We miss her dearly, but are grateful she came.