Onkel Bernd

My first post goes to Herrn Bernhard Paul Schmidt, born on 24th September 1938 in a small town called Oberglogau, Poland.
Living in Hamburg/Germany, father of 3 kids and grandfather of 9 grand children, uncle of thousands of boys and girls, who live around the globe and never forgot him.
His huge blue eyes always shine with a very special kindness touching one’s heart forever.
The kindness of giving to, loving of and caring for any creature, starting from the plants in his house/apartment, family, neighbours, friends, students, tea-man at school, lonely receptionist lady, up to the elegant School Head.
The kind smile in his eyes helps anyone overcome all barriers and you cant help but instantly smile back fully trusting this tall man in front of you.

He taught me that kindness is a very special gift, not everyone has. Whoever has it, should never let it die, should never block it from others, should never hesitate to share with all around him- for a man without giving those kind actions isn’t worth called “human”.

Onkel Bernd,
Thank you for your support getting A remarks in my research in 12S
Thank you for never missing my birthday since we met. It was a very special birthday gift coming from far away.
Thank you for guiding me through the darkest moments of my life.
Thank you for believing in me all those years. If it wasn’t for you, I might not have made it.
Thank you for never ever ignoring any of my letters, putting much effort to get them to post office before it closed at 18.00 o’clock.
Thank you for teaching me the value of sharing, by taking a cube of my chocolate and a bite of my apple, then smilingly saying “it tastes wonderful”.
Thank you for giving me credit, when you proudly said the first Arabic sentence I taught you” ana modares fi madrasah alemany, we atkalem shewayah arabi”.
Thank you for keeping up with my fiery, stormy nature, telling me to keep it, to be who I am, for this is ME.
Thank you for not ignoring my feelings, no matters how stupid, lousy or unpredictable I was.
Thank you for driving me home after each excursion or class party.
Thank you for photocopying the history booklet from Riham el Ezaby, when I lost mine only 3 days before end year’s exam.
Thank you for patiently listening to me when I needed to talk, advising, and soothing my fears.
Thank you for the kind words “och, my girl, I am so proud of who you are” after long years of struggling to overcome many barriers.
Thank you for calling me “ Kaninchen” (rabbit ya3ni we mesh 3ayzah tarya2ah) it always put a wide smile on my face.
Thank you for the kindness you gave since September 1982 till just an hour ago.

Thank you for who I am. Without you, I wouldn’t have ever made it.

I never forgot my promise and I am working hard to keep you proud of your “Kaninchen” .

I will always be grateful for what you gave me.