As expected with this report, things have just progressed without that many humps. After the cascade of events and experiences that populated my first few months, this second batch has been relatively quieter, and it’s been characterized by a progressive acclimatisation to my life here in Bremen.
As always, I’ve been the main bearer of the mood cycles that colour my days. One week I’d be feeling like I was exactly where I should be and the next one I’d be wandering like a lost soul, feeling undeserving of such a beautiful opportunity. Accepting my ever changing mood has been such an important part of the process.
I do indeed regret a few things. Immersed in the lively passing of days and their continuous succession of events, I forgot to bring a few projects to life, and I have also not really taken advantage of the amazing opportunity of visiting different Waldorf classes in order to witness them in real life, and not just in the books that I read. However, learning to become aware of this is also part of my learning, as well as looking for ways to overcome that hurdle.
The truth, however, is that the number of things I am grateful for beats without a question those few regrets. Among everything else, deepening my relationships with the people in and outside the work is what’s really carried me through these months. My job only amplifies that, and seeing how several relationships have grown and flourished is something that’ll stay with me. I’ve learned to value the presence of others in my life and to try to give my best despite everything that may be happening and to be aware of everything that I’m gifted. Thank you all. If I mentioned your names, this report would be too long.
In April I was also lucky to go back to Spain (unfortunately, just for a week). As with this text, that trip felt a bit of a break between things, and it helped me to disconnect from everything for a few days. I could see my family and (most of) my friends, take a look at my life in Bremen with a bit more distance, and go back to my job renewed.
And the most important thing is that I’ve witnessed the blossoming of Spring. I can attest to the grim power of winter in Bremen, as it goes far beyond the cold, wind and darkness. It sucks the energy out of the city, everything looks grey, hopeless and, basically, as a barren land bereft of God’s compassion. Okay, maybe I’m overdramatising it, but I can tell you that having to go through Bremen’s main station from Monday to Friday is not my plan for an ideal holiday.
That is why seeing how, little by little, nature opened itself and filled the streets with green was a sight to behold. And, because I work at a wonderful Waldorf School, with a generously tree-sprinkled playground, to see that big change never ceased to amaze me. Day after day I noticed how leaves started to relieve the ground with their refreshing shadows… And after coming back from my Spain trip, a batch of the playground that was usually hit with the mild sun of Bremen, was suddenly covered by a blanket of shade, a gently gift from the trees that inhabit it. I couldn’t contain my joy and I erupted in laugh after seeing that.
Reflecting on this as I write I realize that this yearly experience (one less common in sunny Spain) holds a lesson for me, and for us all. So, hang on there, everyone. Spring is coming.
P.S. Attached there’s a picture of a snail house the kids built.
Gabriel is hosted by Freie Waldorfschule Bremen on our project co-funded by the European Union.
If you want to experience something similar to what Gabriel did, check out our open calls here.
