Wow!
I wanted to let you all be the first to know about my decision and
announcement. I have been thinking long and hard about it, and had
to screw up my courage but with your help and consideration I
decided it is finally time to let the world know.
I have become transGerman.
Yes, this may surprise everyone, but it is something I have known
since I was a kid, even before I really knew what German was. I
guess my first awakenings started when I watched WW2 movies on TV
when I was young. Then Combat! came along in prime time, and my
curiosity was aroused more by the German soldiers, tanks, guns,
half-tracks, and yes, old Mercedes staff cars than by Sarge, Little
John, etc. The power and strength projected by that machinery
resonated with me deep in my soul. I cringed when the pilots of 12
O'clock High bombed all that equipment but I could not let on. As
time went on I was always the German when we played war, and
willingly allowed myself to be shot and captured by my American
friends. They all thought it was just playing, but inside I knew I
really was German and it was not acting for me. Hogan's Heroes?
Don't even get me started on that -- Colonel Klink showed me that
wearing a monocle was OK, even though I only did it in private.
In high school, when I heard a classmate's father actually owned a
Mercedes-Benz car, you can't imagine the feelings that stirred in my
heart. I wanted to go touch it and feel it and run my hands over it
but it was not to be. I still could not tell anyone for fear of the
lingering stigma associated with Germaness, but when another friend
started taking German language classes I started to feel like there
was hope. I was still afraid to open up to anyone about my true
self, so kept it repressed even to family and friends.
As I got older, and the opportunity arose to actually purchase a
Mercedes-Benz car of my own, I jumped on it! The joy I felt was
tempered by the reality that actually coming out as transGerman
would alienate friends and neighbors and family, so I kept it quiet
still (though I think many suspected my true nature). When I began
spending hours talking about German cars, researching the
fascinating details of the different makes and models and years and
how to keep them running well, I knew it was only a matter of time.
I found this list and found a community of acceptance, which has
meant so much for me.
When my son needed another car, my first thought was Mercedes! I
could live vicariously even more through his experience, though I
was not trying in any way to recruit him to this lifestyle, though
he did need to develop an understanding of what it meant. My
daughter learned to drive a Mercedes but she is clearly cisAmerican
too.
My near-redemption came when my wife indicated that she too wanted a
Mercedes-Benz automobile, a diesel even! I knew then that
acceptance of my true Germaness was at hand! I'm sure many of you
have suspected this and I thank you for your understanding and
acceptance of my decision to make it official! What really made it
right for now was driving the ML350 Bluetech this weekend and just
knowing it was sooooooo right! All my fears and apprehensions have
evaporated, and I truly feel joy to announce officially and with
great pride my transGermaning.
I know we can't all be physically together to celebrate this big
event in my life so I hope that you all can go start your cars today
and think a bit about what this means to me, and to work hard for
full transGerman acceptance in our society.
Carry on!
--R
_______________________________________
http://www.okiebenz.com
To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/
To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to:
http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
_______________________________________
http://www.okiebenz.com
To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/
To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to:
http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com