Anni - The Perfect Wisdom Web

a n n iMy chief interest was the study of religion. I concernedmyself with the theology of Friedrich Gogarten, a friendof Karl Barth. It fascinated us both. I had studied a bookof his, The Religious Decision. Naturally, such a thing hadto be discussed by the two of us into the early hours ofthe morning. We knew he lived nearby, so one Sunday wedecided to visit him. He invited us to join him for coffee,and then asked us, “What do you want to become?” Ianswered “a professor” or some such elevated calling.“Ah,” he said, “first learn to cook!” So our grand ideaswere somewhat deflated.Instead of the usual examination essay for the Abitur,we were given the option to work on a larger project ofour own choice during the school year. I wrote aboutthe history of the Youth Movement. Anni chose thetheme, “My House.” She described in great detail, withdrawings, how she would build her future house. Wesupported each other in these projects and had a lot offun.In the winter months we studied for the Abiturtogether –not under a boring electric light but byromantic candle light. We used candle sticks from thewoodworking shop of Herr Lamberty. We were frequentvisitors to his shop, where we purchased defective candlesticks,which were best suited to our finances.Irmgard’s Abitur thesis gives an insight into the girls’understanding of the Youth Movement and its significancefor both of them. Irmgard begins by discussingthe noble nature of manual work and the special role22