Fate – Kismet

In December 1987 – more than 35 years ago now – my two siblings and I almost became half orphans. I can still remember when I heard from my gym teacher in the changing room of the now closed Dianabad in the 2nd floor. Vienna municipality was called. My classmates and I were swimming and moving in a hurry to get back to school quickly.

In a nutshell, my gym teacher – I was still wet – told me that my mother had just called the school directorate, whereupon the school secretary had immediately called here in the swimming pool to have him – my gym teacher – called. My gym teacher told me that hejust briefly about something important that I need to know immediately' has been informed. I literally felt that my gym teacher, who was always silent, was trying to find the right words for a terrible message. I felt he had to bring me an unpleasant message. I became restless, perhaps pale, which is why he continued. He told me briefly and firmly that my father had just had a serious car accident, but was only slightly injured and well.

Yes, the reporting chain – communication – functioned quickly and reliably when this was necessary, even without mobile phones and without always being accessible. Mobile telephony did not arrive until a few years later.

Miraculously, only my father’s left lower leg was bruised. The old French car, which my father never wanted to give away, was a total loss after this accident.

I can still remember that my father still inquired if and if so how much the repair of his old beige-colored Peugeot would cost? That was shortly after the accident, when the Peugeot still like one Harmonica folded on the roadside. When strangers set the wreckage on fire and the interior burned out completely, the accident was – "finally", as my mother said – police towed and disposed of and thus repair fantasies also pushed a stop. I am convinced that if this had not happened, the car would still be driving today.

I do not remember who exactly took the photos of the totally destroyed Peugeot 504. My mother had given me the photos for further use shortly before her death.