September 18, 2016 - 15:18
I moved to Germany when I was about four years old. I don't remember much of the United States before then, just some important events, like birthdays and such. Most of my childhood memories were formed in Germany, so it is really the place I think of when I reflect on growing up. My mom wanted both me and my younger brother to learn German, so she put us both into a German kindergarden.
Through play, I learned the language. I remember playing tag with all of my German friends, and the sense of pure joy we all felt as we ran around the playground. I learned to communicate in another language by singing songs and playing house. There was no sense of me being an outsider or my grasp of the language not being good enough; we simply had a good time playing with each other. Play has the power to do that. It has the power to break down language barriers and allow us to connect on a deeper level.
Because of these experiences when I was a child, the language and the culture of Germany still feel like home to me. Whenever I go back, I feel like I'm truly home, in a place where I feel comfortable and belong. I attribute this feeling to the memories I made when I was a child; laughing and playing with my friends. I miss living there so much.