Emily, 19, has never been in love but is comforting her heartbroken friends. Waldtraud, 77, has learned that you have to tackle problems energetically. In this column, they talk about how young and old people see the world.
Emily, 19, is spending a year with a host family on America’s east coast:
“Phew, luckily I’ve never been lovesick. I’ve been on a few dates, but it’s never really sparked. My advice would be: just never fall in love! No kidding, that’s probably not the smartest option. The best advice mostly come from the people who don’t have a plan, don’t they?
I always recommend the cheesiest version to my friends. Just cry, treat yourself to your chocolate ice cream, sit in front of the TV with Ben&Jerrys, watch “PS: I Love You” with me and try to distract yourself.
I once asked my mom what she would do when she was heartbroken. She said that she doesn’t know much about it either. She met my dad when she was 14. But my mom and I are very similar. We both are sure that I will soon fall in love too. Maybe I’ll find the man for life the first time around? I don’t think that’s bad.”
Waldtraud, 77, lives near Stuttgart, is a widow and has campaigned against Stuttgart 21 for years:
“Oh, lovesickness. It’s such a thing. It hurts. But everyone should allow lovesickness. There is sadness in life, it’s okay to be sad. Sadness and loss are part of it and when you’re heartbroken after a breakup then sometimes it can feel like someone died, but it goes on, I’ve learned that in my life.
Everyone has their life in their own hands. Especially when you’re heartbroken, you have to tackle the problem. You should do things that you enjoy. Fill the void left by lovesickness with new experiences. I’ve always tried. And then, when I least expected it, someone new came into my life. That’s the best thing ever. When a person you fall in love with saves you from your lovesickness.”