Bavaria

Almost 30 years ago, I visited my mother's homeland for the first time.  This time it would be different, alot different.  She wouldn't be with me.  I was hesitant to go back because I knew it would be an emotional trip for me but also I knew after that many years so many things would have changed.

But it was a trip that was meant to be and like my brother-in-law, Dennis said, "it was like your mother was leading us the whole way." 

Our trip began in Munich where we rented a van and drove to the nearby small town of Grobenzell, where my Uncle Hans and Cousin Regina live.  We toured Munich and the Olympic Stadium, admired the numerous pastry shops and enjoyed the food and beer.

My cousin Irme and her boyfriend Rainer.  Notice the huge pretzels hanging on the food counter - they're everywhere.

One thing that hadn't changed - my mother's childhood home.  My aunt and uncle have kept it the same.  We arrived here on the 19th - my mother's birthday.

Onkel Mang and Tante Gabi

Cousin Maria and Stephan - this is what our trip was all about - family

Amy standing in front of my aunt's garden with churchgoers visiting in the background.  I was pleasantly surprised to see a number of people still wearing the traditional clothes.

The Bavarian region of Germany is deeply rooted in the Catholic faith.  Beautiful churches dot the countryside.  Below is the door on my family's church - it says " I am the Door."  I believe it is referring to pasages in the Bible where Jesus states that He is the door to life.

My first day in Peiting, I walked the same hill where my mother took us and showed us the Stations of the Cross.  These stations are fourteen little buildings scattered along the trail depicting the cruxification of Christ.   For me it was a time of peaceful meditation thanking God for what He has done in my life and prayers of blessing for others.  Here is mom on the hill in 1983 translating the scripture from German to English for us.

Miss you mom!