A friend writes from Berlin: Spring has finally arrived. The sky is blue as never before. Perhaps it is because there is less traffic than ever before. Lily can breathe better than ever, as Germany holds its breath. Families are out in the parks, and the bicycle lanes are busy…not too busy…we tested them yesterday. Lily had not gone that far in years…to the Tier Garden. There were vacant spaces of grass—a place under the sun so to speak—where we could…if not forget…postpone.
We returned home by bike, taking care to avoid any crowded areas and looking forward to closing the door behind us—thankful for a good day with less fear…and still something to eat…though now every time I go to purchase something I have to struggle with it. Fortunately we have some help from a young friend of ours who brings groceries…but I still go out there myself to pick up needed items.
The good news for artists in Berlin…and good news for both of us…I received 5000 euros from the city. I could hardly believe it when I looked at my bank account. That will come in handy. Now we simply have to survive. It was very generous to the artists who live here, many of whom are wiped out by what has happened. The decisions were made quickly, based simply upon the evidence that an artist truly has been living and working on their art here. It all seems unreal…everything does now.
