Meet Hanna from Germany

Meet Hanna from Germany She’s a forester with a deep appreciation for the past- much like the protagonist in Bob Shaw’s short story “The Light of Other Days,” who peers into history through slow glass, which allows one to see the goings-on at a certain spot years or even decades prior. Hanna, too, is captivated by how places once looked and the stories they hold.

“I’m always curious about what a place might have looked like 50 or 100 years ago—how it’s changed, what history still lingers in its corners,” she says. “That curiosity shapes how I travel. I love looking at old photos and imagining them in color. When something from the past resonates with me, I try to bring it into my present life—whether it’s sketching something I’ve seen or drawing inspiration for how I live day-to-day.”

In her home country, Hanna works as a forester, managing a state forest in Hessen, the German state that includes Frankfurt. She is also pursuing a master’s degree in forest and ecosystem sciences at the University of Göttingen.

But Hanna’s story extends far beyond trees and landscapes. Several years ago, she registered as a stem cell donor. Thousands of miles away, in the United States, Lisa’s husband, Robert, was battling Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). Against the odds, Hanna turned out to be a perfect donor match, saving his life!

For two years following the donation, Hanna and Lisa’s family were only allowed to communicate anonymously, in accordance with the donor program’s guidelines. Eventually, both parties gave their consent to exchange identities. Over the next four years, they built a transatlantic friendship that would culminate in their first face to face meeting.

“This is my first time in America AND my first time flying,” Hanna said with a smile. “I’ve been so impressed. Everyone here has been so kind.”

Lisa, who had extended the invitation years earlier, finally got the chance to host the woman who helped save her husband’s life. “I told her, ‘Anytime you want to come to the States, we’d love to have you,’” Lisa recalls.

Hanna and Lisa’s journey together has taken them from Lake Placid to the Adirondacks, Kane Mountain near Johnstown and Gloversville, and New York City. Next up: Rhode Island’s famed Cliff Walk in Newport.

“Can you imagine that?” Lisa reflects. “Out of the whole world and here she is.”

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