Slovakia

It was in 1989 that Slovakia (Czechoslovakia) overthrew the communist regime. Anyone in their mid-thirties or older has a good understanding, or at least an opinion based on experience, of what it was like to live under communist rule.

I was recently discussing the differences with one of the managers at work. As a child growing up under communist rule, he remembers going to the grocery store and having a choice of oatmeal, cornflakes or puffed rice for breakfast cereal. Now his children have 10-15 options to choose from. I told him that in the US there is usually a whole aisle dedicated to breakfast cereal. His comment ... "I like cornflakes."

Another individual at work commented that there was no poor, no one was without food, a place to live or a job. Children were protected, they were the most important asset of the country. Parks ... there were children's parks everywhere (a good number of them still in use today). Parents would take their children out to play in the parks everyday.

I grew up in the 80s, Ronald Reagan era. Communism was the worst evil in the world. Everyone living in a communist state hated it; they were miserable and led the worst kind of life. Then again, the propaganda over here was the same ... a lady at church was surprised to learn that Ronald Reagan was actually a beloved president. She thought he was the devil himself.

I'm not saying people loved Communism. The opportunities people have now are far greater than they could ever imagine. If you are committed, hard working you can accomplish anything. This would not have been possible before. But there are always two sides ... unemployment of 16%, homeless on the streets, people/children in line at soup kitchens, etc.

There is a member of the church in our branch, probably the oldest member in Slovakia. She is the kindest, gentlest lady you could every meet. She brings little candies for the kids every Sunday. As she lives a good distance from Bratislava, she can only afford to come to church every other week. Bremen has learned her schedule and runs into church looking for her the weeks she is supposed to be at church.

She has been a member of the church for over 60 years. In a recent talk, she shared some of her experiences with the church. She has lived through everything; Nazism, Communisum, 'Socialism with a Human Face', Soviet domination, Czechoslovakia rule, reestablishment of the Slovak Republic, etc. and "through it all the church was there. No matter the system of government or the rulers in charge, the Church will be here."

I enjoy living in Slovakia. I love the country. I love the people. While my home is, and always will be the US; I'm grateful for the opprtunity I've had to live her for the last 2 1/2 years.

Don't worry, I still plan on moving back home someday. I don't think I can stay away forever ... I like being able to have Froot Loops one day and Cinnamon Life the next.