Big City Bruise

I forgot to mention one of the most memorable parts of our time in Berlin. My arm got stuck in a tram door!

Errol likes to take the lead when we’re traveling. He also likes to walk quickly. Our squad of eight doesn’t move so quickly, and it was a daily challenge to keep the group together.

One such instance was going from the U-Bahn to the S-Bahn on the way to lunch. Errol, Mom, Neddy, Thom, and I were on the tram. Dad, Lee, and Vin were a few paces behind us. As noted, our time in Berlin was short so we weren’t keen on spending any of it waiting on train platforms.

The tram doors began to close, and Dad, Lee, and Vinnie weren’t on yet. I stuck my arm out to stop the doors like one does on an elevator. Unlike an elevator, the doors didn’t reopen. My arm was stuck, and our whole group wasn’t on the tram either.

I’m not sure who the men worked for, but a couple men with some kind of S-Bahn authoirty took charge. One began to push my arm back in the door so the tram could go without the doors reopening. I shouted at him, “Meine Kinder! Meine Kinder!” and pointed at Lee and Vinnie on the platform with my other hand.

The doors finally opened. Lee and Vinnie got on the tram with Dad. The men were not happy with me and one motioned with his hand that I was crazy. I responded with “Tut mir Leid! Tut mir Leid!” I didn’t say it very graciously, but one can usually get away with shouting apologies no matter how they’re delivered.

Once all together on the tram, Mom and Dad showed real concern that I could be hurt. I am in the caregiver role so often, that I forget how it feels to have somebody worried about me.

My arm was sore for a few days, but, thankfully, I fully recovered!