Nance and I made it safely home - to be picked up at the airport by daughter and two grandsons. I sat between the grandsons on the ride home and read a book to them. Nance and daughter sat in the front and chatted. It was a fabulous end to a long trip. And the view over the ice fields of the North Atlantic and Greenland were spectacular, to say nothing of the Canadian Rockies!!!!
Church Sunday AM and the wonderful greetings of old friends. Our house, big kitchen, Lay-Z-Boys in the family room and our wonderful bed feel so great. But are we home? I am not sure it will ever be quite the same. We so enjoyed our stay in France. We met so many wonderful new friends and associates. We learned so much more history on our weekend outings that we will never be the same - at least I hope not. There is so much more to see and so much more to learn. (I could say that I can't wait to go back; but I really can - at least until afer I see all of my grandkids and kids again, and can share some minute portion of our experiences.)
I am reminded of the old spiritual song "This world is not my home." This wonderful house is my home only when Nance and I and some of our kids and grandkids or frineds are here. Our home is where our heart is; and now it is spread out all over the world - from coast to coast in the USA, to Tanzania, to Nairobi, to Grenoble, to Adelboden. And this is all just temporary!!! Thank you, God, for the wondrous way we are wrought.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Last time in Grenoble
Last full day of work.
It is Thursday, April 08, 2010; and today is my last full day of work here in France. I will work till the afternoon tomorrow; then load the car and drive to Lyon St. Exupery airport hotel, turn in the rental car, and have one last dinner in France before boarding the plant to Paris early Saturday morning; then on to San Francisco.
The experience has been wonderful. History comes alive when one walks the street of Barcelona – as Nancy did or rides a tour bus for one brief afternoon – as we did together. The joy of hiking near Alpine villages in Switzerland is very difficult, if not impossible, to overstate.
There are a lot of things Nance and I will miss: Saturday mornings at the open-air market just a block from our apartment. FRESH fruit and vegetables lovingly displayed. Fresh hot bread from the boulangerie. Friday nights exploring new (French) restaurants. Weekend outings to Provence, Lyon, Adelboden, Paris, Camarque, Bern, or just exploring local museums. Watching Spring awaken new beauty in the Alps. The astonishing views driving to and from work every day. The wonderful hospitality of co-workers, acquaintances, new friends from church, etc. The growing recognition of French words on the radio or in written form. The morning ritual of shaking everyone’s hand or “air kissing” of cheeks and “Bon jour.” And, of course, French pastries!!!
I won’t miss some of the strange quirks of drivers here – if you have to ask – you have not been here. We won’t miss not seeing our grandchildren for long time periods , nor flying to the cabin for a weekend escape. We won’t miss the praise program at church on Sunday AM; nor the fellowship of long-time friends.
It is Thursday, April 08, 2010; and today is my last full day of work here in France. I will work till the afternoon tomorrow; then load the car and drive to Lyon St. Exupery airport hotel, turn in the rental car, and have one last dinner in France before boarding the plant to Paris early Saturday morning; then on to San Francisco.
The experience has been wonderful. History comes alive when one walks the street of Barcelona – as Nancy did or rides a tour bus for one brief afternoon – as we did together. The joy of hiking near Alpine villages in Switzerland is very difficult, if not impossible, to overstate.
There are a lot of things Nance and I will miss: Saturday mornings at the open-air market just a block from our apartment. FRESH fruit and vegetables lovingly displayed. Fresh hot bread from the boulangerie. Friday nights exploring new (French) restaurants. Weekend outings to Provence, Lyon, Adelboden, Paris, Camarque, Bern, or just exploring local museums. Watching Spring awaken new beauty in the Alps. The astonishing views driving to and from work every day. The wonderful hospitality of co-workers, acquaintances, new friends from church, etc. The growing recognition of French words on the radio or in written form. The morning ritual of shaking everyone’s hand or “air kissing” of cheeks and “Bon jour.” And, of course, French pastries!!!
I won’t miss some of the strange quirks of drivers here – if you have to ask – you have not been here. We won’t miss not seeing our grandchildren for long time periods , nor flying to the cabin for a weekend escape. We won’t miss the praise program at church on Sunday AM; nor the fellowship of long-time friends.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)