Thank you to all friends and dear ones who have been checking on me.
It is my local Weihnachtsmarkt, I pass there almost every day, have a stroll, sometimes stop to have a Glühwein, sometimes don’t.
Yesterday I was there, and somehow, I decided to leave earlier than planned. Must have had a guardian angel.
I do understand even more terrible things happen in a lot of places and there are many more innocent victims than the ones in Berlin. And I do not think Berlin is more important than any other city or its citizens who have suffered, and are still suffering. But today for me it’s not another aftermath day of a terrible attack. It has a different emotional impact since it happened to people I knew. It’s my town, it’s my neighbourhood, and I love it. I love Berlin. Today more than ever.
However, this does not mean that I do not care or do not stand in solidarity with all those who are living under fear and terror in and outside of Europe. I do believe we have to fight back, be strong, even kinder to those in need and do not let hate and fear rule our lives and our actions. I do not want to be afraid, I do not want to be scared. But something that I dread is how the right wing, in Europe and abroad, will use this terrible thing to manipulate the public opinion, blaming good innocent people for something terrible that has happened. But no, we have to stick together and we will not allow them to have this power over us. None of them.
My heart goes out to victims and families and friends who have lost a dear one in any of the horrible events.