Flavius cel Curajos

IMG_4658Eu cu Flavius.

Nascut al saptelea, Flavius face parte din echipa brunetilor impreuna cu mine, Alin, Iosif,  Alex si Oana. Echipa blonzilor este formata din Sergiu, Marius, Delia, Tibi, Iulian si Fanu.

Flavius a fost un copil simpatic cu gropite in obrajiori, plin de energie si guraliv:) Ca adolescent Flavius a fost plin de glume si peripetii, facindu-i pe multi sa rida, dar in spatele glumelor erau ascunse dureri de burta frecvente provocate de stresul abuzului din frageda-i copilarie.

Intre timp in Germania, Sergiu a citit un anut in ziarul local care i-a stirnit o idee. O echipa noua de fotbal cautau jucatori si Flavius era stiut in Romania ca fotbalist bun. Sergiu la adus in Germania atit pe el cit si pe Leo si amindoi au dat interviu la fotbal si au intrat in echipa, Flesh ca jucator si Leo ca portar. Foarte repede Flesh a devenit steaua echipei si cel mai bun jucator. Leo, care veni-se numai pentru fructele si ceaiul servit dupa practica, a fost dat afara. Singurul obstacol intre bogatie si faima au fost actele care nu le-au reusit nimeni sa le faca desi a fost depus effort din partea nemtilor. Impins inapoi in Romania, Flavius a terminat liceul in Hunedoara, pe urma a plecat la Arad, unde a stat la Alin si a terminat facultatea de inginerie. In timpul facultatii a intilnit-o pe Adina la Ilia, si sau casatorit dupa ce a terminat facultatea. Sau stabilit in Timisoara si impreuna au o fetita:)

Adina lucreaza in mediul tehnic si Flesh lucreaza ca prezentator la un post de radio Crestin in Timisoara, (rve.timisoara), emisiune data live pe Facebook si YouTube, zilnic. Are darul vorbirii repede si clar:) Dar bine practicat din copilarie. Flesh poate prezenta orice si oriunde cu o usurinta uluitoare. Eu as face pe mine si as voma non-stop, dar Flesh parca a fost nascut cu microfonul in mina, si ma bucura mult faptul acesta. Flesh este mult implicat in biserica locala, dar in ultimii cinci ani un nor de boala care l-a pus in paturile urgentei mai mult decit va pute-ti imagina, a pus multa tristete in sufletul lui Adina si a-l nostru. Flesh trebuie sa aiba grija la dieta si stilul de viata cit de calm possibil, dar in general se simte bine si e fericit linga mica lui familie:)

Ii multumesc lui Dumnezeu pentru Flesh si ma bucur ori de cite ori aud ca e bine si fericit:)

FLAVIUS the Brave

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Born the seventh in the family, Flesh (nickname) falls in the team of the brunettes along side myself, Alin, Iosif, Alex and Oana. The blond team is made of Sergiu, Marius, Delia, Tibi, Iulian and Fanu.

Flavius was a cute boy, with great dimples in every smile, energetic and full of humor. His adolescence was filled with great humor and lots of energy, hiding a boy that got frequently panicked and stomach pains from the stress of the abuse.

His last year of high-school he left for Germany and lived with my brother Sergiu a few months, and together with Leo responded to a local newspaper add that were looking for soccer players. They both got in and quickly Flesh became the star player of the entire team with great professional prospects. Leo, who was interested only in the snacks provided after words got kicked out. The only thing standing in the way of fame and fortune was the paperwork. At the time Germany’s borders were not so open like today and the paperwork stopped Flesh’s progress forcing him to return back to Romania. After finishing high school he moved with Alin in Arad. There he finished four years of collage in engineering. He met his wife, Adina in Ilia, while in collage and got married after he graduated then together they settled down in Timisoara. Together they have one daughter.

Adina works in the marketing/ computer field and Flesh is a radio host/presenter at a Christian Radio Station in Timisoara, rve.timisoara, and very involved in the local church they attend.

The past five years a big shadow of health challenges have put a lot of stress on his shoulders and he spend more days in emergency than all of his siblings put together. He’s had operations and multiple tests. In the end there’s still no diagnosis. But stress in general is an enemy of his, weakening his immune system.

Lately he’s been feeling well, but I think he has to watch his diet and stress level constantly.

Our potentially famous soccer player has a very domestic life in the church and his radio work:) He also had to forgive a lot but life is good and we’re moving on:)

I’m glad when I hear his health is good and I’m looking forward to see what their future will bring along:)

 

Iosif cel Puternic

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In prima poza sint eu cu Iosif.

In a doua: Iosif cu Dana si cei trei copii, Delia cu copii ei si Alex cu Mia.

Acest post in particular imi va fi foarte greu de scris din punct de vedere emotional si curind ve-ti afla de ce.

Intre Delia si Iosif, mama a pierdut un baiat, care a murit cam la cinci minute dupa nastere, cu probleme de inima.

A-l saselea, Iosif a fost un copil tare blind si cuminte. A facut tot posibilul sa nu creeze probleme intr-un mediu si asa plin de tulburenta. Iosif era foarte tacut si retras, intr-un fel Iosif parca incerca sa dispara din evidenta,  ca si cum prezenta lui in sine crea stres. De multe ori statea flamind pina veneam eu de la scoala, in jurul orei doua la amiaza. Cind il intrebam:

“Iosif, ai mincat azi?” Cu un glas blind imi raspundea: “Nu.”

“De ce?”

“Nu am vrut sa-o deranjez pe mama.” Mi se muia inima de mila lui si il hraneam imediat. Ceilalti frati mai mici de obicei, cum intram pe usa, sareau in loc proclamind ca le era foame, dar Iosif era tacut.

Datorita sarcinilor numeroase si abuzul constant din partea sotului, mama a devenit foarte distanta, rece si nervoasa/ agitata. Intr-un fel o inteleg. Hormonii sarcinii nu-s usor de indurat dar mai ales abuzul.

Am avut un instinct puternic de al proteja pe Iosif, mi-am dat seama, ca el era ca oaia blinda care accepta orice soarta ii venea. In realitate, copil sensibil, avea nevoie de iubire parinteasca si de o mina ocrotitoare. Si asa a devenit Iosif copilul meu, o perioada de timp, si el imi spunea mie “mama”.

In felul meu am incercat sa-i protejez pe fratii mei, dar Iosif mi-a dat curajul sa-mi infrunt frica fata de tata, intr-o dupa-amiaza in particular, cind venind de la scoala, in fata blocului i-am auzit plinsetele de durere si rugamintile si ceva a plesnit inlauntru meu. Nu am trait niciodata o distanta mai mare intre mine si el cum am trait atunci infinitul timpului fugind in sus pe scari pina in apartament unde micul Iosif, numai de patru ani, era gemuit jos pe podea, ferindu-si cu minutele capul si de asupra lui tatal meu dadea in el cu o violenta tulburatoare. Fara ezitatie am fugit intre ei si cu corpul meu l-am acoperit pe Iosif primind in locul lui loviturile. Aveam in jur de doisprezece ani. (Pina in ziua de azi nu pot auzi un copil plungind fara sa nu ma afecteze). Cind si-a dat seama tata ca eram eu s-a opri si a inceput cu jignirile si amenintarile. El dadea in fete dar nu asa abuziv ca in baieti, in shimb ne abuza emotional prin cuvinte aruncate in ura. M-am ridicat drept intorcindu-ma sa ma pot uita in ochii abuzantului, care in momentul acela mi-a devenit inamic, tinindu-l pe Iosif in spatele meu in mod protectiv. M-am uitat tinta in ochii tatalui fara sa clipesc. Ca o leoaiaca protejindu-si puiul m-am simtit si nu m-as fi miscat din loc numai daca ma omora si-mi tira corpul. Ma plesnit peste fata si peste cap de citeva ori aruncind blesteme din gura, dar nu m-am miscat de fel, intorcindu-mi capul si uitindu-ma direct in ochii lui fara o lacrima in ochi sau un cuvint pe buze. Am fost martora violentei din trecut fara sa intru in actiune, dar in acea zi totul sa schimbat. De atunci pina am plecat, le-am luat apararea fratilor si desi nu am reusit 100% sa-i protejez am incercat cum am putut si cit am putut, atit pe ei cit si pe mama. Am rupt toate joardele care le culegea el din copaci in drum spre casa de la servici, si m-a durut sufletul cind a trebuit sa plec in America stiind ca-mi las fratii expusi si fara protectie. Dar Iosif ma ajutat sa-mi infrunt frica launtrica care-mi minca sufletul de ani de zile, si pentru asta ii sunt recunoscatoare.

Dupa ce am plecat, Iosif a fost abuzat dublu. Pe perioada adolescentei Marius nu sa purtat frumos cu fratii lui mai mici, dar intr-un fel era singurul lucru invatat de la parintele lui. Sa schimbat mai tirziu.

Singurul refugiu pentru Iosif a fost la facultate, care a facut-o in Arad. O perioada de timp a stat la Alin, daca imi aduc bine aminte. Alin si el a terminat facultatea in Arad ca inginer, si a lucrat in Arad ceva ani buni de zile inainte de a se muta cu lucru in Germania. Dar tot in Arad, Iosif a intilnit la o biserica o familie de oameni tare buni care intr-un fel l-au adoptat si Iosif se simtea mult mai iubit cu ei decit cu parintii lui proprii. Asa a intilnit-o pe Dana, sotia lui, si acum impreuna au trei copii.

Iosif a terminat facultatea ca inginer, si in ultimii cinci-sase ani si-a construit, in marea majoritate singur, casa in care s-au mutat anul acesta. A petrecut multe ore fie in ploaie, fie in frig, fie pe caldura, la construirea casei dupa orele de serviciu si a muncit din greu, dar acum se poate bucura de o casa frumoasa, si de o familie binecuvintata. Stiu ca este implicat si in biserica, mai ales cu copii.

Ii multumesc Bunului Dumnezeu de grija care i-a purtat atat lui Iosif dar si celorlalti, si ma bucur cind in vad fericit:)

 

Joseph the Strong

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First picture is of Joseph around one years old.

Second picture is of Joseph and Flavius.

Third picture is of Joseph and his wife Dana, this year:)

This particular blog is going to be emotionally very hard for me and you’ll find out soon why.

Between Delia and Joseph my mom lost another boy. He lived only five minutes after delivery due to heart complications.

Born the sixth child, I had a particular fondness for Joseph due to his sweet and humble nature. He did his very best not to cause problems into an already tumultuous environment and kept very quiet and out-of-the-way, often going without food until I would arrive from school around 2 pm. I would ask him if he ate and with the sweetest tone he would responded:

“No.”

“How come?”

“I didn’t want to bother mom.”

By now, due to the tole the pregnancies and the abuse from her husband took on her, my mother was very distant and moody. Thus, Joseph became my child and he started calling me “mommy” which made my heart radiate with love. I had a fearsome protective instinct over Joseph that pushed me into action. In my own way, I stood up for my younger siblings including my mother, in an effort to protect them. I felt responsible somehow for their safety. I was not 100% successful but something snapped in me one particular afternoon while on my way back from school. I was around twelve-years-old and Joseph around four-years old. I heard his painful cries all the way from the court yard; since it was warm outside the windows were open. The distance between me and him has never been as long as that particular day while I ran up the stairs and into the hallway of our apartment, where little Joseph had shrunk into a fetal position protecting his head with his little arms while my father hit him violently. Like a lioness seeing her cub in danger, and without hesitation, I ran between them covering his little body with mine, taking the hits for him. Shocked my father stopped- he had a weakness for his girls- and began yelling insults at me. I stood and faced him, chest high, gaze fixed into his with great determination refusing to move. I saw my father hesitate. Silently I was screaming at him: “Over my dead body.” Joseph was my child and suddenly my father became my enemy. I was determined to protect what was mine, no matter how big the enemy in front of me seemed. Even his slaps over my face and head or his crude insults didn’t make me flinch once as I turned my fixed gaze back at him, not one tear found in my eyes, simultaneously protecting Joseph behind me. Long enough I’ve witnessed this abuse without doing something about it. Long enough. From that day on a verbal war began between my father and I. For my remaining years in Romania I was the middle man in many circumstances. Also, from that day on all the twigs my father picked on his way home from work I secretly broke and got rid of.

It broke my heart when I had to leave Romania, after I married and today I just realized, leaving Joseph exposed and unprotected was a huge reason why. I felt secretly guilty about that for years.

Once gone, I heard Joseph and my younger brothers’s abuse doubled. Like I previously wrote, Marius had a very hard time through adolescence. I guess its as the saying goes: “Monkey see, monkey do.” Once that phase passed, Marius changed.

Joseph didn’t find refuge from the abuse until he entered college in Arad. I believe for a period of time he lived with Alin, who also went to collage, graduated and worked in Arad for many years before moving to Germany. Iosif also found refuge in the home of a young Christian family who sort of adopted him and cared for him greatly. Dana, who later on became his wife was the lady’s younger sister and that’s how they met:)

Joseph graduated college as an engineer and now works in a company run by his brother-in-law. Dana and Joseph have three fantastic children, one of them looks exactly like him. He’s involved in church ministry working with kids and even though it took him around five or six years, he built their home brick by brick, spending hundreds of hours in rain, cold and hot weather to finish. He pretty much built that house all by himself and they moved in it this year:)

With the exception of Alin, all my brother were and still are avid soccer lovers, spending many hours in the dust and confined apartment court yard playing.

Life was not easy for Joseph but God sure blessed him, just like he blessed the rest of us.  I thank God for taking care of him when I could not. He was always God’s child above mine and God took and is still taking good care of Joseph.

I could call him Joseph the Builder, but I think I’ll call him Joseph the Strong.

Delia cea Frumoasa

IMG_4474 Cu sotul ei, Sami in fotografie.

IMG_4661 Ei cu Delia inainte de a pleca ei in America:)

Nu este o surpriza pentru nimeni frumusetea Deliei, parca a fost facuta intru-un lan plin de flori si cine o vede ori zimbeste ori rivneste frumusetea ei.

A cincea dintre frati si surori, Delia a fost tacuta cind era mica dar si o fire determinata. Datorita distantei intre virstele noastre dar imi imagines si datorita lipsei de maturitate in tinerete din partea mea nu eram prea apropiate una de alta in adolescenta mea si copilaria ei. Ea sa cam pierdut in fundalul zgomotos al fratilor mei. Din fericire tata a avut o sensibilitate asupra fetelor lui si nu prea a fost batuta dar in schimb a fost ranita emotional. Cind ma uitam la Delia vedeam o atmosfera de mister pe fata ei. Delia e greau de citit, dar mi-a placut faptul ca aveam o sora.

Clar, Delia a avut multi admiratori de sexual opus in adolescenta ei dar ea a ramas credinciousa inimii ei si lui Dumnezeu.

Am fost extrem de impresionata cind am aflat ce artista buna e, si Delia a pictat multi pereti la viata ei, chiar si la orfelinatul fratelui Hada:) Mi-ar place sa va arat o fotografie cu o pictura de a ei dar nu am, deci Delia, trebuie sa-mi trimi-ti una:)

Dupa liceu, Delia a facut scoala de asistenta medicala si in cele din urme a ajuns in Italia, la Roma, unde a lucrat multi ani la spitalul Vaticanului in sectia de copii, la cazurile cele mai severe. Acolo a petrecut multe nopti nedormite si ore lungi in picioare. Tot in Italia, la intilnit pe Samin, sotul ei si impreuna au doi copii; o mini Delia si un mini Sami din punctul meu de vedere.

Anul trecut sa-u mutat inapoi in Romania impinsi de dorul de tara si economia slabita a Italiei. Tot anul trecut au inceput constructia casei lor la Marghita, aproape de Oradea si anul acesta a fost de mare ajutor mamei mele care la un moment dat era bolnava grav. Cu ajutorul Deliei, mama sa pus un pic pe picioare.

Ma bucur mult cind o vad fericita si implinita si deabea astept sa vad ce mai are Dumnezeu pentru ea in viitor:)

P.S Delia vorbeste trei limbi (Italiana, Romaneste si Engleza).


 

Delia the Beautiful

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First picture-Me and Delia (and a bit of Marius:)

Second picture- Delia’s family as of today:)

It’s no secret that Delia’s beauty is admired by many:) It’s like she was made in a field of beautiful flowers and everyone smiles when they see her (or gives her envious looks).

Born the fifth one, she was a quiet and very determined girl, in a sea of noisy brothers. She always had a tenacity about her and pushed for the things she wanted. Spared a lot of physical abuse- my father had a weakness for his girls- she endured her share of emotional insults and came out stronger for it.

Due to our age gap and my immaturity at the time, I wasn’t too close to my sister either but I loved having her around. To me she had a aura of mystery about her. Later on we had the opportunity to spend more time with each other and I found out, to my utter surprise, what a fantastic artist she is. Her paintings are absolutely beautiful, wish I had a picture of one of her painting to show it to you.

As you can imagine she had many suitors but she stayed true to her heart and her goals.

She finished nursing school in Romania, found a way to get to Roma, Italy and eventually she worked as a nurse in the Vatican Hospital for many years, in pediatrics more precisely. There she cared for many critical cases, tirelessly pulling many long hours as well as night shifts. In Italy she met and married her love, Sami and together they have two children. Their wedding was absolutely amazing and I had the privilege to be there with Chet:)

Last year they moved back in Romania and built their house, a big project that’s almost done. This year she’s helped tremendously with my ill mother and has been a God sent blessing. Can’t wait to see what she’ll do next. I’m glad to see her happy:)

 

 

Thank God for her life.IMG_4696

 

Marius Misionarul

IMG_4657In fotografie, Marius e in clasa a doua si Delia in prima clasa, inainte de a deveni pionier al patriei.

Datorita distantei de virsta nu am fost prea apropiata de Marius decit dupa ce ne-am casatorit amindoi, fapt care-l regret.

Nascut al patru-lea, Marius, dupa parerea mea, a trait o adolescenta cam singuratica, dar o copilarie buna, in general. Mama a pierdut o sarcina (un baiat) intre Sergiu si Marius si asta a fost simtita de Marius, cred, prin faptul ca a fost cam marginalizat de cei trei mai mari. Desi Sergiu a fost abuzat cel mai tare, Marius a fost abuzat pe cea mai lunga perioada de timp, inclusiv dupa ce sa casatorit si a trebuit sa ierte foarte mult, lucru care l-am apreciat enorm. Dar ce ma socat in mod pozitv, a fost stilul lui calm de a vorbi in timp ce era abuzat, cu o calmitate si toleranta mare, mai ales dupa ce sa casatorit. A avut si are un refugiu pozitiv in relatia lui cu Veronica, sotia lui, care a intilnit-o in cimpul misionar.

Refugiu lui Marius in adolescenta a fost in biserica unde a realizat multe, incepind ca voluntar la grupa de copii, pe urma pastor de copii la o biserica, pe urma peste oras si pe urma peste judet tot in cimpul misionar pentru copii. A petrecut mii de ore ajutind copii saraci, copii de tigani, copiii starzilor si copii din biserica. Impreuna cu Veronica, Marius are cinci copii. Ca tata, pune mult effort si bani in educatia copiilor lor, si Maria, cea mai mare, la numai 15 ani stie trei limbi si e eleva de nota 10.

Cu citiva ani in urma sau mutat in Austria si recent Marius a inceput productia lui de miere de albine bio, de la stupii lui de albine dar e talentul lui de a negocia care-l deosebeste de altii, fapt care ne-a ajutat ca familie:)

Sint mindra cu cita diplomatie a facut fata abuzului si cit de mult a luptat pentru o viata bine traita si plina de fericire, desi nu usoara de multe ori. Multami Bunului Dumnezeu pentru fratii si surorile mele:)

 

Marius

Marius the Minister

Due to the age gap between us, I haven’t been too close to Marius in his youth and adolescent times, something I regret. I’ve gotten to know Marius better after we both got married.

Born the forth, Marius was abused the longest. To this day my father does not seem too fond of him. The reasons are personal. But what blew my mind and impressed me greatly, was how much Marius had to forgive. He’s forgiven a lot. In the face of violent verbal and at times physical abuse that continued right after he married, Marius’s attitude was that of calm. To this day I’m impressed with his cool collected way of trying to put a fire out. He became a fantastic negotiator pushed, I presume, by the circumstances of his life. He has class and is very successful in his negotiations. Mom lost a boy between Sergiu and Marius and the gap forced a sort of loneliness in Marius’s life. He found refuge in church and soon became very successful as a children’s pastor. That grew into a ministry of itself and soon he moved from overseer in one church, to overseer of the whole city (in the baptist denomination), then overseer in the entire county. He spent many hours helping the poorest of children, street children and gypsy kids. He met Veronica, his wife in the ministry field and together they have five children.

Unlike the poor fatherly example he’d experienced back home, Marius is a great father and invests a lot of time and money into his children’s education. His eldest, Maria, only 15 years old speaks three languages (German, English and Romanian) and his kids are A students- at lest the ones that go to school:) Few years back they moved to Austria, where they currently live and Marius just began selling his own line of organic honey.

I’m very proud of him and his beautiful life:)

P.S. Alin speaks three languages as well and Sergiu speaks two.

Sergiu cel rezistent

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De la stinga: Tibi, Sergiu si Iuli.

In copilarie Sergiu ne facea mereu sa ridem ca atare unul din poreclele lui a fost “The Jocker” sau “comicul”. Dar reflectind la viata lui Sergiu “cel Rezistent” se potriveste mai bine. Desi eram plini de vinatai si indurera-ti, in copilarie, Sergiu tot timpul avea o gluma   la indemina.

Din cei doisprezece frati si surori, el a fost cel mai abuzat, dar uitindu-te pe fata lui si la felul cum isi traieste viata nu ti-ai da seama. Are cea mai pozitiva atitudine si iarta repede. Intr-o zi l-am intrebat cum de poate sa uite asa repede si dind din umeri, mi-a raspuns:

“Nu dau atentie. Stiu ce veau sa fac si ma duc si-l fac. O sa iau bataie fie ca fac fie ca nu fac, asa ca mai bine fac.” Pentru Sergiu a explora si a invata ce are viata de oferit era mult mai important decit frica care parintele incerca sa o bage in el, prin violenta. Intr-un fel la pregatit pentru viata care o avea inaintea lui de trecut. A fugit in Germania dupa revolutie, a fost prins si dat inapoi. A doua oara a reusit, si a trebuit sa sacrifice a nu participa la nunta mea, sacrificiul care l-am inteles. Mai bine asa, decit sa vina inapoi si sa fie prins in ghiarele abuzului din nou si fara un viitor bun. Statea la rinduri in timpul comunismului toata noapte fie pe timp de iarna sau vara pentru un litru de lapte sau o piine. Avea darul bagatului in fata si rare ori venea acasa cu mina goala.

Acuma Sergiu stie legile Germaniei mai bine decit un neamt crescut acolo, si e bosul unei companii care aduce miilione de euro. Da comanda si instrueste acuma pe care vrea el, dar a luat mult sacrificiu si multa munca sa ajunga unde este acuma. Casatorit cu o nemtoaica, amindoi au o fata, Michelle, o casa tare faina si o viata buna.

Sergiu, de cind a facut un ban in buzunar a trimis inapoi si la familie si a ajutat tare mult. Mii de euro au plecat din buzunarul lui in tara. L-a adus si pe Leo si Nico in Germania si ia ajutat sa se stabileasca legal si cu post de munca.

De cind il stiu, il plac surprizele si ca atare a facut multe vizite-surpriza in tara:) Ii plac masinile de calitate:) si lucrul facut corect. Dar o gluma buna e cea mai indicata pentru el:) Am fost dintotdeauna mindra de el si asa va ramine pina mor.

Le sarea in ajutor fratilor mai mici si asa a primit o piatra in cap de si-a spart capul, dar nu sa lasat pagubas si a spart geamul inapoi celui care-i sparse capul.

Sergiu cel rezistent:)

Mi-e dor de el zilnic, ca si de ceilalti si ma bucur mult cind vad ca viata lui e binecuvintata:)

Multa-mi Doamne de fratii si surorile mele:)

Sergiu

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Sergiu the Resilient

In our childhood, Sergiu made us laugh constantly, thus one of his nick name, “The Joker.” But to me he’s more “The Resilient”. We sat all bruised and hurt after another one of our father’s angry episodes, but Sergiu found a way to always make us laugh bringing such light in a dark world, even if it had to be whispered.

Out of all twelve siblings, Sergiu was the third and abused the most, in a very hateful manner. But looking into his face now you would never know it. He has the most positive and forgiving nature, bouncing right back with such ease it amazed me. I asked him one day how he could do that. He shrugged his shoulders then responded:

“I just don’t think about it. I think of the things I want to do and do them even if I get in trouble. I’ll get in trouble no matter what, I may as well do what I want. It’s worth it.” To him exploring and having adventures was worth the pain he knew he would endure later on. In a way it prepared him for the tough life ahead. He ran illegally into Germany right after the revolution, got caught and sent back to more abuse only to try again. And he succeeded. He entered Germany with the clothes on his back and a small Bible, worked very hard and now he’s the COO of a multi-million dollar company in Berlin, married to Brigitte, a pure breed German girl and together they have one daughter Michelle:) He gives orders all day long and works with employees from many nations, has a house and a very nice life. He’s helped my parents and siblings financially for years. Since he had a few dollars in his pocket he always thought of the rest of the family and sent back thousands upon thousands of euros (or deutschmarks back in the time). He is known for his love to surprise you and pulled lots of surprise visits:)

Sergiu, the resilient:)

I remember caroling with Sergiu and Alin, and every house/apartment we entered Sergiu found a way to walk away full handed with something. He stood in those long nightmarish lines Romania and Eastern Europe was known for during socialism/ communism times, usually taking him all night long during Siberian winters temperatures just to get a few loaves of bread or one kilo of milk or half a butter or few eggs or one kilo of sugar or one kilo of oranges, you name it. He also had the wits to push in the front of the line and walk away with something when so many were left only with empty disappointments. (There was never enough food during that time, and just staying in a line for half a day did not promise a happy result). Sergiu had street smarts and gumption. Still does:)

Sergiu, the resilient. I miss him everyday:)