While in kindergarten Annelise learned a lot besides her letters and numbers. She learned on the first day of school that she could not order from the menu at the school "restaurant". Instead, everyone had to eat off of the buffet and they could not make choices there either! She learned that nap time was not optional, story time was her favorite, and skorts and a sailor top were what all the cool girls wore. She also learned about Germans.
Annelise came home one day and through tears explained that she wanted to be a German. Several of the children in her class were descendants of the German families that settled in Robert's Cove and would be performing traditional dances at the Germanfest. They would also have costumes that included wreaths made of flowers for their hair (Can you even imagine that she would not be a part of this?!?). I told her that when she grew up she could marry a German but we couldn't declare our lineage. It was given and not chosen. She was devastated.
The Germanfest is this weekend and it always reminds me of Annelise's wish. My Killmer relatives originated in Germany but they were not one of the families that settled in this area. This time of year I also wish that they were. Luckily, those sweet Germans allow us all to be a part of their family for a whole weekend of dancing, singing, playing, and best of all eating!
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