Embracing age with wisdom and humour

On 7 March 2016, Edith Schoser turned 80. During her small birthday reception, Edith addressed friends and family with the following welcome speech:  

Liebe Verwandte, liebe Freunde, 

Herzliches Willkommen Euch allen, die Ihr zu meinem Aufbruch ins neue Lebensjahrzehnt gekommen seid. Es ist ein frohes Gefühl, es bis hierhin geschafft zu haben und jetzt erwartungsvoll auf die 100 zuzusteuern.  

Um nun hier und heute die passenden Worte zu finden, habe ich einiges an Ratschlagbüchern zum Thema alt werden und fit bleiben untersucht. Zunächst z.B. das zweibändige Standardwerk "Altern als neue Dimension" oder das stark nachgefragte "Wohin mit den Knochen im Alter?" Im Rahmen eines Forschungsprojektes erschien vor etwa 11 Jahren  "Was macht das Alter so wunderbar und zugleich so risikoreich?" Das bedeutende Nachschlagwerk "Wie buchstabieren wir Alter im 21. Jahrhundert?" nicht zu vergessen. Ganz speziell auch die Dokumentation "Vom Kreißsaal zum Greisenalter", um hier nur die wichtigsten zu nennen. Wirklich aufbauend fand ich den Titel "Morgens rot - abends tot - zwischendurch noch Atemnot" geschrieben von zwei Altertumsforschern, die mittlerweile auch schon tot sind. 

Doch nun zurück in die rosige Zukunft. Ich hoffe, es gefällt Euch hier, und ich wünsche Euch nun einen guten Appetit. 

Welcome Veronika!

On Thursday, 14 January 2016, Veronika was born! She came into the world in Erlangen/ Bavaria and her full name is Veronika Lea Rosemary Hirmer. 



Relatives trying to figure out family relations

She is the first child to her parents Manuel and Jessica Hirmer (Schoser), the first grandchild to her grandparents Martin and Uta Schoser and the first great-grandchild to great-grandparents Franz and Edith Schoser. From her mother's side, she has three aunts and two uncles. Other relatives are still trying to figure out how they relate to the firstborn of the next generation, whether they are great-cousins, uncles or aunts of second or third degree or half-step-great-nephews or nieces...

Happy birthday!

Jubilarian Edith with husband Franz

Golden Wedding

Today, Franz and Edith Schoser celebrate their golden wedding. It was 50 years ago on 14 August 1961, they married in the abbey of Beuron on the Danube.  The wedding took place only one day after the construction of the Berlin Wall started.

50 years on, the Berlin Wall is history. In contrast, Franz and Edith are alive and well and proud grand-parents of 16 grand children. On the occasion of the golden wedding, all gathered to congratulate.

Girl power

In their free time, Schosers engage in all sorts of voluntary activities. This seems particularly true for female Schosers.

Sonja Schoser has a soft spot for another dog breed. She is member of the association of German shepherds. In the Mägerkingen section of this association she is 'breeding warden' giving advice on how to rear and breed these dogs.

Simone Schoser takes an active role in Spatzennetz, a parent association running a number of nursery groups and family activities in Tettnang. The association was founded by parents in need of child care not provided for by the authorities. Since 2009, Simone has been member of Spatzennest's management team with responsibility for festivities.

Angelika Schoser makes regular blood donations. In November 2008, she was honoured by the mayor of Burladingen for having donated for the 25th time. Afterwards, all regular blood donors were invited to re-liquefy their blood and have a glass of Champagne.

Reflection before action?

During the school year 2009/10, Luzia Schoser has served as student representative of the senior classes at her school Augustinerschule Friedberg. In spite of the responsibilities which come with this office, she and her fellow representatives still seem to have time for reflection. Moreover, Luzia seems to devote some of her free time to the baking 'Pfitzauf', a Swabian speciality resembling muffins, hopefully also to the benefit of others...

Pfitzauf

Uta Schoser is one of about 200 volunteers visiting families with newborns. In the first year of this campaign of the City of Cologne, the mother of six made already about 40 of such 'children-welcome-visits' to support the families and pass on her own experience. Part of Uta's motivation is her joy to get to see the babies.

Daria Schoser is one of 25 students at Apostelgymnasium in Cologne trained to apply first aid to other students. For those interested, the school plans to extend the qualification to the prevention of mobbing and acts of violence, a programme called 'Fit in Fair Play'.

Finally, Edith Schoser has for more than twenty years served as volunteer at the telephone help line of the Catholic Church Cologne. The line is meant for people in need or those just feeling lonely and looking for someone to talk to.