Ode to Leonore

Today is my dear friend Leonore's 85th birthday.  I have the great distinction of having been present for her 75th (a surprise party at Joe Kelley and Nancy Gruver's house), her 80th (a grand affair in Schlusselfeld, Germany with her nearest and dearest) and now her 85th, also in Germany.  Although I couldn't be with her on this particular day, I did spend the bulk of last week with her.  I'm glad to say her eldest son and daughter are with her today, as are her very good friends Rainer and Sylvia.  She has yet another week of celebrating before she returns to Duluth, and I wish her great health and happiness for the coming year and all the years to come.

Leonore has been a great friend and inspiration to me for well over 15 years.  I am blessed to know her.  She has been my teacher, my supporter, my advisor and most importantly, my friend.  I have learned so much from her about World War II, the history of Germany (and Europe) dating back to Middle Ages to the present day, and on and on.  

Leonore is one of those people who is a "fixture" in Duluth.  Having lived in Duluth since the 1960s, she's almost a native.  She knows more people than anyone else in Duluth.  She's always saying, "You know xyz, don't you?"  Of course I don't.  I've only lived there 25 years.

She's involved, or has been involved,  in numerous civic organizations, from Matinee Musicale to Sister Cities to University for Seniors, and of course, the Baeumler Kaplan Holocaust Commemoration Committee.  She's never been just a figurehead, she's always been deeply involved and taken leadership and made a number of presentations herself--including her stellar performance in 2008 when she told her own story, "Zeit Zeuge".  She never stops learning and growing.  She is a model for us all.

Leonore is generous and kind.  She puts herself out there for others and offers her home to international travelers, most particularly, opera singers.  Leonore knows (and loves, no ADORES) her opera.

Leonore has so many talents and gifts.  She gardens, she knits, she sews, she makes wax ornaments, and she cooks (Marrow Dumpling Soup or Pflaumen,Kuchen, anyone?). 

Leonore is Oma to three Enkelkinder of her own, and many, many more (including my four) who have adopted her.

Leonore has had the great gift of making a life for herself that is all her own.  She has shown the way to aging with grace and dignity.  I want to be just like her when I grow up (finally).

Liebe Leonore, Herzlichen Glückwunsch zum Geburtstag!