The important European city of Berlin sits on the fertile European Plain and is ringed by forests and nature spots. It is one of the world’s most cosmopolitan cities. Berlin is defined by a diverse human population coming from every peopled continent of the earth and speaking all major and many minor languages. Its rich history was most recently carved by the elimination of the infamous Berlin Wall. The wall was erected in 1961 to cause division but some 28 years later was dismantled to purposefully unite divided peoples — an act that inspired millions with new hope.

My daughter Katrina and I were traveling through the area when the momentous event unfolded. I will never forget the powerful impact it made on all of us, visitors and Europeans alike. Whenever we met them on the train or in the streets,  joy was in the air and it was most contagious. It was not just news of the dismantled divider that fueled an excited spirit but also the prospect of renewal that always seems to accompany positive change.