Sunday, November 21, 2010
Friday, November 19th... Wee Hours of the Morning
In about 6 hours, around noon today, I might regret this decision. It's 5:35am and I am abandoning good sense in order to find a few minutes to talk to you. I really ought to go back to bed. My eyes are already starting to burn. But it's been 2 months since my last post and I don't know about you, but I'm simply aching for our little chat.
So grab a cup of your favorite hot drink and come and sit by me for a minute...
I'm having green tea. I'm sitting on my parents mint green couch in the mountains of Virginia, home for Thanksgiving. I woke up at 4 in the morning because some part of my body is still in Switzerland where it's mid morning and my husband is hard at work. Chatting with you, instead of forcing myself to sleep, means I won't adjust to this time zone as fast, but then again, why was that important?
This couch has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. It used to be brick red. Mom gave it a new skin at some point in the last 30 years, but the bones are still the same. Sitting on it has the power to bridge my past with my present. I've traveled the world. I've lived in 10 different locations during my 32 years. With each move I seem to journey farther and farther away from this couch. Seasons change, but some things remain constant. Like this couch. I love this couch.
On the other hand, I love changes and new seasons. I cannot express how much I deeply adore each season of the year with equal passion. I don't have a favorite. Switzerland is one of the best places to experience all 4 seasons at their best. In the two months since my last post, Autumn gently fell, encircling, preparing me for the cocoon of hibernation that will be winter in Geneva. A month ago it was yellow leaves that first caught my attention as I walked Bear home from the park. Stopping, I looked up and time seemed to stand still as I floated upward in magic, leaves gently swirling, descending around me, whispering on the wind the warning of colder days ahead. Since then, Genevans have been experimenting with boots, longer sleeves, sweaters and scarves. A few days later I stepped outside and wished I'd grabbed a hat and mittens. Biting air only lasted one day and retreated, but it was a good warning. The hat and mittens are now in my bag every time I go out, ready, just in case. I'm using them with ever increasing frequency.
This is the first time in our marriage that Chris and I will be apart for a major holiday. Surprisingly, we're not bothered by it at all. He'll be with his family and I'll be with my family. This is the most logical choice in our minds at this particular time. We've had 10 satisfying years together, we see one another all the time and we live an ocean apart from all the other people who mean the most to us. Our vacation time is limited, so dividing up seems the best way to maximize the time and connect with family. Besides, Switzerland doesn't even celebrate Thanksgiving and is none the worse for it. Traditions are the spice of life. But this Thanksgiving, I'm giving thanks for my freedom... the freedom to do what meets the need of the moment. Bit by bit, I'm breaking free of my sacred habits.
I know what your next question is... "What in heavens name have I been up to for the last two months that was so important that I didn't have time to sit and chat with you like this???"
There are many answers, but the simplest answer is that I've been running from my homesickness. I've been staying as busy as possible so I don't have time to feel homesick. The period between August and November actually FLEW by. It's very fitting that my last post was about my time in Virginia, because I feel like I was just here only moments ago.
So lets fill in those missing months...
The house is waking up. We may have to continue this chat later...
Sunday, November 21, 10:19 am
The house is quiet again. Everyone, except for me and my sister, have flurried around and scuttled off to church. The two of us have opted for quiet this morning. Kellie rolled in late last night after a 9 hour drive from Athens, Georgia, so she's in bed recovering. I've adjusted to this time zone but am opting for the chance to finish our little chat. I've cleaned the kitchen for Mom and am watching over a stew that is meant for guests coming for dinner tonight.
We're not going to sit on the couch this time. Instead we're sitting at the dining room table, perched against the Blue Ridge Mountains, looking out across the hills, to another range, the Shenandoah Mountains. It's a crisp, sunny day. Thanksgiving is bursting forth from my heart and even the trees appear to be celebrating Joy this year.
I'm grateful for three months that flew by and distracted me from the pain of separation.
Let's start with September, the month of my birthday. My birthday present was a trip to London. I've already told you all about my time in London.
In early September our guest room was used for the first batch of American friends to come visit us; Seth and Michelle. We took a day trip with them to explore Gruyere, Switzerland, medieval town and home of Gruyere cheese.
In early September our guest room was used for the first batch of American friends to come visit us; Seth and Michelle. We took a day trip with them to explore Gruyere, Switzerland, medieval town and home of Gruyere cheese.
View from Gruyeres Castle, built in the 13th century.
When you buy Gruyere cheese, this is where it starts it's journey before landing on your table
On September 18th, our good friends from Geneva, Tim and Bethany, got married in Germany and we traveled by train to celebrate their wedding with them. Tim is German; Bethany is American. It was inspiring to see traditions from two cultures blended together to make a new culture in the life of this new couple.
Reception took place at a Winery
What would I do in Geneva without my friend, Bethany? I met her the first week we arrived in Switzerland. We were instant friends. Being with Bethany, I finally remembered how to laugh again, after a many year sabbatical from laughing. She works for Proctor and Gamble and is very busy, so we get together and hang out when we can, but even when she's working or traveling, it's a blessing to know she's not far away. I had the honor of being her hairstylist for the wedding.
October 1st-3d found us at a church retreat high up in Leysin, Switzerland. The views from our hotel room were incredible. This ski lodge was everything we tried to find last year without success. We are so delighted with this location that we immediately booked a 3 night stay for the day after Christmas. A full fledge Swiss Ski Trip will be our Christmas present to each other and to my brother and sister, who are coming to visit us for Christmas!!! We are beyond excited.
Views -- Leysin
I went hiking on Saturday while Chris worked from the hotel room. September and October was an unusually busy season for him. He missed a gorgeous experience.
Swiss cows really do wear bells! This group was clinking and chiming as I walked by.
Sometime in October I met my new friend Kristin at our yoga studio, another American, who arrived in Geneva in June. We were instant friends, kindred spirits, bonded for life. She followed her man to Switzerland for his job and while she's been waiting for her own work visa to materialize she and I have been trying out all the other pleasures of life. We try new recipes and cook together, she took me to a formal baking class, and I've introduced her to scrapbooking.
Kristin Me 
And last but not least, on November 13th, the Saturday before I flew home to Virginia, I took part in an event called Serve the City. My friend Richard, who organized the team I joined in Lebanon, organized a new branch of Serve the City for Geneva. This concept started in Brussels, Belgium and is now happening in cities worldwide. http://servethecitygeneva.ch/ The heart of this organization is to serve refugees, the disabled and the homeless, just to name a few.
I led a team of 13 people to paint a mural around the courtyard, parking lot of our Geneva Soup Kitchen. See the post below this one and click on the link to view photos of our mural. It was a unique and rewarding experience. The mural is enormous, spanning 4 walls and represents the artistic inclinations of 13 different people with 13 different perspectives. On Friday, before the event, I arrived alone to sketch outlines of popular scenes around Geneva and Switzerland, creating a coloring book effect for the volunteers to fill in with their own details. Once the volunteers got their hands on it, the result was massive and impressive. I enjoyed taking part in such a large scale project.
On the other hand, I love my delicate, small scale projects too. I'm trying out a new style. Starting with those images from Lebanon I told you about back in April, I'm practicing and teaching myself a mix of pencil, pen and ink and watercolor technique. Here are my first creations...
Poppies of Lebanon
Rome -- April 2010
Gift for Dad's Birthday
And finally, this post seems to have chosen a theme of "personal growth and evolution" without my planning it that way. Therefore, a word about singing... After an 8 year sabbatical from public singing, I'm setting aside my stage fright to re-engage in this dormant passion. As little girls, Kellie and I loved to perform duets together. My stage fright seemed to worsen as I got older rather than getting better, so after many years of battling with it, I finally decided to quit fighting. My sister went on to study vocal performance in college and is now finishing her masters at the University of Georgia. During a recent phone conversation Kellie encouraged me to "step out in faith" and enter the world of public singing once again. So I am. It must be done. I've come to realize that the consequences of not using a passion are more unpleasant than the consequences of facing our fears, struggling and feeling uncomfortable. Today she and I will begin practicing "A Living Prayer," by Alison Krauss. We'll sing it for Grandma and the family on Thanksgiving Day and perhaps again at New Year's Service at church in Geneva.
And so I leave you with this thought... this holiday season let's each pick a dormant passion and dust it off. Let's look for the right time and place to use it. Using a passion for the mere sake of using a passion also falls flat. But when it's combined with waiting and listening for the right moment, well..... let's all try it together and see if it's wasn't worth it.
I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.
Click here to view photos
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