One Memorable Fourth

Today would have been my mother’s birthday. I think of her often and I can truly say that she was my best friend. She would have loved George. I’m really sorry that she never got to know him.



George and I are back in the usual swing of things after spending another amazing weekend in Los Angeles. Now that’s how a long 4th of July weekend is spent! With the love of your life next to your side, the most gorgeous weather, visiting with a friend, eating lots of scrumptious food, enjoying the beach, seeing live theater and celebrating Independence Day at one of the most American places there is...Disneyland.



Below are photos from our first day in La-La-Land. More pictures to follow...



Redondo Beach, CA


Most of the lifeguard towers between Manhattan and Redondo Beach were artfully painted in bright colors. Plans are to paint all of them for the 30 miles of coast along Los Angeles. They’re supposed to be done in September


Robert and George at Redondo Beach


My dorky self and Robert, enjoying a nice walk along the Strand of Redondo Beach after a hearty breakfast. June gloom or the Coastal Eddy lasts well into July this year. This typical Southern California weather phenomenon is basically a huge fog bank that lingers along most of the coast and is usually burned off by the sun around 10 or 11 in the morning


See? No more June Gloom. The sun was out for the rest of the day to make this another perfect by the sea. This is the Manhattan Beach Pier


The Pacific was beautiful and the weather couldn't have been more perfect


One of many beautiful old lamp posts along the Manhattan Beach Pier


Later that afternoon we drove to Hollywood to spend some time there before we would go to the theater. Here on Highland Avenue, close to the Hollywood Bowl, is an old apartment building which hides the fire escape stairs in a more elaborate way


The neon marquee of Disney's Soda Fountain & Studio Store on Hollywood Boulevard, next to the beautiful El Capitan theatre, which is one of the remaining movie palaces of a bygone era


Hollywood and Highland


Intricate details of one of many entryways into the El Capitan building, built in 1928


A stack of records. The old Capitol Records tower on Vine Street and label to artists such as the Beatles, Beach Boys, Garth Brooks, Duran Duran, Everclear, Foo Fighters, Judy Garland, Heart...just to name a few


Old neon signage can still be seen all over Hollywood


The marquee of the Pantages on Hollywood Blvd., promoting the musical “In the Heights.” This Tony Award winning production tells of the daily life in the Latino community of New York’s Washington Heights. We were lucky to see Lin-Manuel Miranda reprising his starring role, who not only wrote the story and music but also was the lead in the original conception on Broadway. This musical has an upbeat mix of Latin music, rap, hip hop and ballads. Yes, it's very interesting and quite catchy. We absolutely loved it! And a funny coincidence...part of the story plays out on the 4th of July. One of the characters is telling others to “show some spirit,” chastizing them for displaying flags from their home countries on their balconies rather than Old Glory. I thought that was pretty ironic considering what is currently happening in this country regarding the immigration reform


The foyer inside the Pantages. This art deco-style theater first opened in June 1930 and later fell into despair. The Walt Disney Company bought the theater in the early 1990s and renovated the place to bring back its original splendor, making it the West Coast home for “The Lion King.” Since then we’ve seen many plays and musicals in this spectacular theater

Rosa

It’s my mother’s birthday today. She would have been 81 years young today.

I say 81 years young because that’s what she always has been. She always held on to her youthful spirit despite what anybody said or thought. Even when in her later years age-related ailments started to creep up on her she would still keep her optimistic aura around her.

With all the hardship she’s been through one would think that she would have turned into a bitter old woman. She grew up during the height of fascist Germany and the horrors of World War II. She had to work hard to help the family make ends meet. She was threatened by Nazi officers for not saluting them the proper way after learning that her dear brother had been killed in the Russian battlefields.
She ran for cover or jumped from a moving burning train during the bombing raids by the Allied Forces. And she knew what hunger felt like.

Right after the war had ended she married my dad, whom was still serving in the U.S. Air Force at the time. They moved to Georgia and there my mother had to overcome obstacles of a different nature. Not only was there a language barrier and a different lifestyle to get accustomed to but also the prejudice against Germans. The wounds of the war were still fresh and they would let her know that.

Interestingly enough, my mother wasn’t even born in Germany. Fate would have it that she was born in Brazil and through family ties ended up in Munich, Germany when she was still a toddler.

However, life eventually got better for her and she was able to enjoy it to the fullest. Even in the most modest ways. She would find pleasures in the smallest, most insignificant things. Something as simple like a walk in the park or a home baked cookie would bring her just as much joy as listening to an aria at the opera. It didn’t take much to put a smile on her face.

She always had that childlike innocence about her. There was no need for false pretense or to justify who she was or what she liked. She’s been criticized for many things because she wouldn’t allow to be molded into whatever her own family or society at the time dictated her to be. She simply didn’t care what others thought of her or to “act her age.” A trait I got from her.

My mother and I were very close and best friends. And just like I she loved anything Disney. We would visit Disneyland whenever there was a chance. Not one kid out there had as much fun as my mother did.

Her last ever trip was to Walt Disney World in Florida. She was already suffering from a recurrent cancer and had to be in a wheelchair. But she enjoyed every damn minute of it. The Disney folks were amazing too and helped tremendously making this one memorable trip. The very day we flew back home to Las Vegas she suffered a stroke from which she never recovered. And the cancer eventually took its toll.

I just regret that she never had a chance to met my George. She would have loved and adored him. They too would have become the best of friends.

My mother was a happy woman and that’s how I want to remember her. She would have wanted me to. When she was always smiling and embracing life with such curiosity and vigor. These are qualities which are so lacking in today’s society. Especially in young people. They have no clue what they’re missing.

I know who I’m missing. A lot. But she’s always present. In my mind, my heart, whenever and wherever. She always will. Corniness and schmaltz be damned. I pity anyone who’s never been touched by such a joyful and generous person.


Alles Gute zum Geburtstag, Mutti.