I wanted to let you all be the first to know about my decision and
announcement. I have been thinking long and hard about it, and had to
screw up my courage but with your help and consideration I decided it is
finally time to let the world know.
I have become transGerman.
Yes, this may surprise everyone, but it is something I have known since
I was a kid, even before I really knew what German was. I guess my
first awakenings started when I watched WW2 movies on TV when I was
young. Then Combat! came along in prime time, and my curiosity was
aroused more by the German soldiers, tanks, guns, half-tracks, and yes,
old Mercedes staff cars than by Sarge, Little John, etc. The power and
strength projected by that machinery resonated with me deep in my soul.
I cringed when the pilots of 12 O'clock High bombed all that equipment
but I could not let on. As time went on I was always the German when we
played war, and willingly allowed myself to be shot and captured by my
American friends. They all thought it was just playing, but inside I
knew I really was German and it was not acting for me. Hogan's Heroes?
Don't even get me started on that -- Colonel Klink showed me that
wearing a monocle was OK, even though I only did it in private.
In high school, when I heard a classmate's father actually owned a
Mercedes-Benz car, you can't imagine the feelings that stirred in my
heart. I wanted to go touch it and feel it and run my hands over it but
it was not to be. I still could not tell anyone for fear of the
lingering stigma associated with Germaness, but when another friend
started taking German language classes I started to feel like there was
hope. I was still afraid to open up to anyone about my true self, so
kept it repressed even to family and friends.
As I got older, and the opportunity arose to actually purchase a
Mercedes-Benz car of my own, I jumped on it! The joy I felt was
tempered by the reality that actually coming out as transGerman would
alienate friends and neighbors and family, so I kept it quiet still
(though I think many suspected my true nature). When I began spending
hours talking about German cars, researching the fascinating details of
the different makes and models and years and how to keep them running
well, I knew it was only a matter of time.
I found this list and found a community of acceptance, which has meant
so much for me.
When my son needed another car, my first thought was Mercedes! I could
live vicariously even more through his experience, though I was not
trying in any way to recruit him to this lifestyle, though he did need
to develop an understanding of what it meant. My daughter learned to
drive a Mercedes but she is clearly cisAmerican too.
My near-redemption came when my wife indicated that she too wanted a
Mercedes-Benz automobile, a diesel even! I knew then that acceptance of
my true Germaness was at hand! I'm sure many of you have suspected this
and I thank you for your understanding and acceptance of my decision to
make it official! What really made it right for now was driving the
ML350 Bluetech this weekend and just knowing it was sooooooo right! All
my fears and apprehensions have evaporated, and I truly feel joy to
announce officially and with great pride my transGermaning.
I know we can't all be physically together to celebrate this big event
in my life so I hope that you all can go start your cars today and think
a bit about what this means to me, and to work hard for full transGerman
acceptance in our society.
Carry on!
--R
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