Well, it’s been a few years, but here is part two.  In light of the New Zealand massacre I feel obliged, again, to Never Forget,

Not so much obliged.  It is my honor.  My duty, as a human.

It is important.  I never stopped.

And, Rainer is important.

He is a huge part of my past and my memories.  And has dedicated his life to um, not, ‘reversing’ but, healing the scars of his ancestry.

He made me grow as a person.

I always fall head first into anything that intrigues me, and yes, at first, it was the documentary.  But, once I knew him, I felt so comfortable and safe and later so loved.

But, that was years ago.

We managed, somehow, to reconnect.

I asked him, “What haven’t you been asked about, that you want to answer?”

I think the best way to share this interview is in our emails.

I should mention, he’s ill.  And, in keeping with our friendship – and secrets – I can’t divulge the facts.

So, thinking on a topic, I decided (after he declined) God. To choose Religion.

Having death in our path causes one to ponder no?

I lost one of my best friends to cancer.  She was an advocate for children.  Unselfish.  Completely fucking amazing – and – told me, “I don’t wan’t to go, I’m not ready.”

What ‘God’ takes someone who gives so much on the planet?

How is it that completely awful people still stride this earth and those with love and compassion in their hearts are taken??

And in keeping with my personal theory, here are our emails.

Me: Do you believe in God?  Why or why not?

Him:

Me: I also think, what kind of ‘father’ would allow such horror, as you mentioned.  So many good things hurt and harmed that were innocent.  I also asked “In pain or in despair you don’t reach out to something ‘bigger’ than you or the planet?”

Him: Unfortunately I have to disappoint you, with my heart operation it was not possible any more in time, everything went so fast.

With everything else I also ask of course: Why me ?

But I do not address it to God, I can explain it to you also only with difficulty.

I was also too much disappointed by the Protestant Church, which is why I left it long ago. There you don’t get adequate help, pious sayings that mean nothing to me and can do without you.

They should rather change their politics and also admit if they have done something wrong and do not hide behind the institution church.

And to know exactly, they regulate that so that it does not cast a bad permanent light on the church.

No I do not pray.

It comes as it has to come, that doesn’t change the church either.

I believe in true love and friendship, even if it was denied me often enough in my life, or even abused. But I continue to believe in it, and at some point it will be true.

And I believe in what I am doing and that it is sincere and good and helps even if it is a slow success but it is one to see. I believe in many things but not in the institution church.

Me: Notice, the door to the cage is open.  Even a fake birdcage I can’t close.  I care too much.  I agree, love and friendship is a higher power.  And, I’m hoping the bible was right when it said, Jesus can see into your heart.   I’m not religious, but, should I be judged, ‘it’ will see the real me in my heart.  I do have one question for you.  What do you to regret?  If you could say something different or be different, what would it be?

Him: Our situation back then that I deeply regret, but otherwise I don’t really regret anything.

I see it all in a certain area of fate… You can’t change it in advance anyway, it comes as it comes.

Every day is a new challenge.

And I don’t mean by fate the biblical variant… I have done the most possible thing in my life that I can do to make my environment more beautiful.

I’ve always been faithful in life, I don’t drink, I don’t take drugs…I think more doesn’t work…and I’ve always treated friends as friends and stood by their side like a rock in the surf in an emergency.

I take care of people who need help, I have taken care of my mum self-sacrificingly without thinking of myself. I have always been a good caring father and grandfather.

We continue this journey together as friends.  And, he IS an amazing father and grand-father.  And friend. I will be forever grateful that our paths crossed.

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As a side note, which, seems completely awful calling it so – I also interviewed a survivor – and I didn’t want to make this a piece about the past.  But, (again) in light of current events, supremacists are gaining ground and feeling comfortable.  I shall never forget the survivor who told me more than any history book could.  That they ate their own lice for protein in the camp.  I shudder.  I’m disgusted and am SO proud that New Zealand has instantly said they are going to change their gun laws.  That’s my personal opinion,  not Rainer’s or any one else.