Life Stories

My eldest son Oliver has always had a very happy disposition. However, as a child, he was rather hard-headed. Always having his own ideas about almost everything, it wasn’t easy and sometimes impossible to convince him of something contrary to what he had in mind. He just knew what he wanted and followed through.

For instance, trying to explain to him why he had to learn something that was of no interest to him at the moment but necessary in order to pass his exam was most difficult.… Read more

I moved back to my hometown after having been gone for almost half a century. A lot has changed, but many things are still the same. Happily, a few old school friends also moved back. Most important, however, is that my family lives close by: my two younger sons, their wives, and my five grandchildren.

The second night after arriving in my new home my two sons, Philip and Stefan, both came by to help me set up a bookshelf and organize the many boxes, which were still scattered all over the place.… Read more

I live close to a large river. In the summertime people love to swim in it, or more accurately, to float in it since it takes you effortlessly downstream. The current is strong making it impossible to swim upstream. The same happens when we try to fight life. If life wants us to take a certain path, in time it will direct us there no matter what we want.… Read more

It’s wartime. It all started in China. Of course, again, they blame the “bad boy.” It spread fast. It went from a local conflict to a world war, quickly. But that shouldn’t be a total surprise. Predictions of a third world war have been in the forecast for a long time.

Countries all over the planet have prepared themselves for it.… Read more

“I hope you remember my hug while you sit in Quarantine,” said a friend from Maui.

“Of course I will,” I replied almost jokingly, not yet aware of the true meaning behind his words.

Before I left Maui, it seemed like I would be leaving a safe harbor to sail to a dangerous, unknown land, not knowing what would happen on the way, unsure if I would safely arrive at my destination, my Swiss Home.… Read more

“The event that Americans commonly call the “First Thanksgiving” was celebrated by the Pilgrims after their first harvest in the New World in October 1621. This feast lasted three days, and—as accounted by attendee Edward Winslow—it was attended by 90 Native Americans and 53 Pilgrims.” (Wikipedia)

Whether this is the true story is controversial. Nevertheless, the idea of celebrating and giving thanks, I do like.… Read more

“Yes, and how many times can a man turn his head
and pretend that he just doesn’t see?
The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind.
The answer is blowin’ in the wind.“

This song by Bob Dylan from the early sixties is as meaningful now as it was then, if not even more. Well over 50 years later I ask myself the same questions.… Read more

Big crowds make me feel uncomfortable. I try to go to a shopping mall early in the morning, right after they open, when there are few people around. My feelings are the same when it comes to crowded restaurants. Some of my friends love to pick the loudest place to go to – and feel just great.… Read more