This is a quotation from Goethe’s “Faust”, the German classic, which Klaus taught to generations of his students.
Translated roughly as “The beautiful moment”, the text goes on to talk about the wish for time to stand still, and for that moment to go on forever*
Very early in our relationship, Klaus suddenly declared that this should be our motto. We had met later on in life and so we could not expect to have so many years together, (sadly, even fewer than we thought), so it was more important than ever to savour all our beautiful moments.
It is the same idea as “Carpe Diem” – don’t waste too much time thinking about the future or dwelling on the past. The present moment is all we ever have, so try to make the most of it.
We had this motto inscribed on our wedding rings, and it is also on the plaque on the tree in the forest where he is buried.
*Scene 4. In Faust’s study with Mephisopheles
That in that pleasant trance would I arrest and halt the happy moment in its course. Bidding it linger with me – “Oh how fair art thou, delicious moment. Happy days why will you flee? Fair vision yet a little abide with me and bless me – fly not yet!”