Berlin Wall
Twenty years ago today, October 3, 1990, marked the end of the unification process between East Germany and West Germany. The Berlin Wall completely cut off West Berlin from the surrounding East Germany and from East Berlin.
Could you imagine part of your city being free and part of your city being under Communist rule? This wall actually divided the city of Berlin. The day the WALL closed for crossing meant some people never returned home from work. They where stuck on the wrong side. Personally, I can’t imagine how those families must have felt.
Stop here and think a moment. What are you grateful for today?
Check Point Charlie in Berlin
I walked the path of the wall, saw parts of what is still left of the wall and visited a Museum called Checkpoint Charlie. 
This museum was founded in 1962 right beside the legendary Checkpoint Charlie border crossing. Checkpoint Charlie is where two worlds spilt apart and joined again.
Some of the things people did to escape to freedom where nothing short of amazing. Full size adults managed to get their bodies into a suitcase. Not a big truck size suitcase. One the size I use everyday for work. You know the ones you put in the overhead bins. The burning desire of those on the none free side of the wall lead them to attempt and succeed at some great escapes. These people could not afford to let any negative thoughts get into their brain. They needed all their brain cells for imagination.
Reflecting in Berlin
As I stop and reflect upon this I’m hit with a fact – I was in high school during this time. Yes, I knew this as a fact; however while standing in this museum, in the location where all these events took place, the reality hit me.
Yes, if it had been me and my family separated by the Berlin Wall, I too would have done anything I could until I reach my family or my last breath left my body.
Hope the Berlin story helped you appreciate your life of freedom here in the United States?
Till next time……
Debi Talbert
www.TellMeThursday.com
Yesterday for Wordless Wednesday I posted a picture of myself in front of a wall made of bags of sand. This wall is part of the most a well known Berlin Wall crossing point between East Germany and West Germany during the Cold War. It was given the name “Checkpoint Charlie by the Western Allies.
The Berlin Wall divided the city for nearly 30 years (1961-1989). During that period, there were many successful and unsuccessful escape attempts. Until 1989 the Communist regime of East Germany had a policy of shooting at people trying to flee to the West, those that helped them, deserters and other illegal border-crossers. More than 125 deaths were officially recorded on the Wall in and around Berlin. Many of these attempts have been chronicled in the Checkpoint Charlie Museum.
While visiting the Museum, I was totally amazed at the ingenious ways that people came up with to escape to the West. They all had this over whelming burning desire to reach the West. This desire was so strong they where even willing to risk being shot. There where many tunnels dug. Adults squeezed themself into suit cases or tiny boxes.
There is no doubt in my mind that desire was the starting point for the achievement of freedom for those individuals and families that planned escapes. Their desire was so strong that nothing was going to stop them.
I was really moved by the stories I read and the pictures I saw. I was aware of the history and stories around the Berlin Wall; however being there and seeing it for myself really made an impact.
Freedom
I am so truly appreciative a having always lived in a free land.
Debi
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