Many East Germans illegally escaped through Berlin before the wall was built. Freedom was possible if one could convince the guards there was a good reason to enter the Western side. Anita Plutte was one of those who found a way ... It was December 1955, and I had just said a long, tearful, fearful good bye to my sister Renate. I found myself walking across the Berlin bridge with Frau Fischer. I hoped I was doing the right thing. When we got about halfway across, a young guard stopped us by holding up his hand and blocking our path. Where are you going? How long will you be there? What is the purpose of your visit? The blonde guard on the bridge on the East Berlin side was probably only 20 years old just a little younger than I was at the time. My mouth was dry from the nervousness I was feeling. My throat was closed. I could not answer. My heart was pounding so hard, I could feel it pushing against my chest. My clothes were sticking to my back from the nervous sweat. I just looked down. I could not meet his eye. What I was about to do was so against my nature, yet from somewhere within I was determined to try. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Anita Plutte resides in Southeastern Pennsylvania at a cozy retirement community. Writing has become one of her passionate hobbies. She grew up in Germany during WWII and escaped from East Germany as a young adult searching for peace and happiness. The rosy life she imagined she would have in the United States never became a reality. As a result of trials and disappointments, she realized that true happiness could only be found in knowing God and Jesus Christ.