Fridays

A giggling trio of schoolgirls jounces along the sidewalk, chattering, gesticulating, jauntily toting their Schulransen -- boxy backpacks patterned in vivid calleidoscopes of neon and jumbles of prancing ponies, cuddly kittens and other fanciful designs, the pride and delight of school-going pre-adolescents.
Parting ways at the corner they pause to share last secrets and trickles of gossip and tauntingly announce their weekend plans.
A tinkling singsong rises above the others as one serves up the coup de grace: "I' fahr' zu meiner Oma!"*

It's Friday afternoon, when freedom and possibilities stretch tantalizingly over two days that loom limitless, a moment filled with the magic of anticipation, the innocent excitement and eagerness of childhood, and the warmth and comfort of a visit to Grandma.



*Translation: "I'm going to Grandma's!"