On November 5, 2009, Sister Fidelis Kreutzer, SSMO, passed from this world. This grand lady was my wife's aunt. I have known Sister Fidelis since my wife and I were first married. While 'Sister' is her formal title, my wife called Sister Fidelis 'Auntie Fid', a name I took to using as well when speaking with her.
The passing of Auntie Fid was a sadness for her family and friends. But we all rejoice knowing she is in God's loving embrace. It should be noted that one sector of the American economy will suffer terribly because of Auntie Fid's going home to God. The Wrigley Chewing Gum Company has lost its best customer.
Over the years, thousands of children, young and old, have come to know Sister through the endless supply of gum that she carried in her pockets. It was through that simple gesture of a pack of gum being placed in our hands that many of us were reminded of God's unconditional love.
My two youngest nieces, when they first met Sister, pointed at Sister Fidelis and asked their aunt, "Who is that?" Sister quickly responded with, "God."
Auntie Fid was right. Through her so many of us met God face to face when she gave us some gum and said, "Bless your heart!" We were blessed indeed!
Monday, November 23, 2009
Sunday, November 22, 2009
WHIRLWIND TOUR
Our trip to Germany and Italy is almost over. We have seen Salzburg, Venice, Rome, Assisi, Siena and Florence. We are in Florence until tomorrow morning when we head back to Uberlingen for a restful last week and a Thanksgiving dinner with Jaime's friends on Wednesday night. All sorts of German food to go along with our turkey and noodles(English family style) and some Chinese food from a coworker from Kansas. An interesting dinner to be sure.
Florence is a city I do not need to visit again. Not my favorite place in Italy. Assisi is my favorite city of the entire trip. A quiet hillside to rest and retreat from the hustle and bustle of the big cities. We did get to see the pope in Rome. The general audience with the Holy Father is a hoot. People from all over the world cheering for him when he enters the room and groups aknowledging him in their own way as they are introduced to him. All the prayers and introductions are done in several languauges and by time the audience was over, I felt that Pope Benedict is indeed OUR pope, not just mine.
My favorite parts of the trip have nothing to do with sights and sounds that could be overwhelming at times. It was the simple, quiet moments that filled me with the greatest joy.
Just as I expected, getting off the plane at Frankfurt was the best. Walking through that last hallway and seeing Jaime there put a joy in my heart I had not felt for a long time. And holding her close, not letting go of her for those few seconds is a feeling only a father can understand when he has his daughter in his arms again. Later in our travels, on one of our many train rides, I was sitting with Barb and Jaime in a small cabin for four. Barb and I were on one side of the compartment, Jaime on the other. Barb had fallen asleep. Jaime looks at me and says, "Dad, you can sit over here by me, if you want." I moved right away, knowing what would happen. In an instant, as soon as I sat down, Jaime had her head on my shoulder. Oh, how I have missed those moments over the last ten months. It is so good to be Jaime's dad in person, once again!
Florence is a city I do not need to visit again. Not my favorite place in Italy. Assisi is my favorite city of the entire trip. A quiet hillside to rest and retreat from the hustle and bustle of the big cities. We did get to see the pope in Rome. The general audience with the Holy Father is a hoot. People from all over the world cheering for him when he enters the room and groups aknowledging him in their own way as they are introduced to him. All the prayers and introductions are done in several languauges and by time the audience was over, I felt that Pope Benedict is indeed OUR pope, not just mine.
My favorite parts of the trip have nothing to do with sights and sounds that could be overwhelming at times. It was the simple, quiet moments that filled me with the greatest joy.
Just as I expected, getting off the plane at Frankfurt was the best. Walking through that last hallway and seeing Jaime there put a joy in my heart I had not felt for a long time. And holding her close, not letting go of her for those few seconds is a feeling only a father can understand when he has his daughter in his arms again. Later in our travels, on one of our many train rides, I was sitting with Barb and Jaime in a small cabin for four. Barb and I were on one side of the compartment, Jaime on the other. Barb had fallen asleep. Jaime looks at me and says, "Dad, you can sit over here by me, if you want." I moved right away, knowing what would happen. In an instant, as soon as I sat down, Jaime had her head on my shoulder. Oh, how I have missed those moments over the last ten months. It is so good to be Jaime's dad in person, once again!
Thursday, November 5, 2009
OFF TO GERMANY
Only two days left before my wife and I take off for Germany and seeing our daughter again after ten months of Skype visits. We are getting more anxious to leave as each day passes.
When we tell people we are going to travel to Germany and Italy we get all sorts of advice and recommendations. The usual ones include “Have a great time!”, “Have a safe trip!”, “Oh, Italy! Enjoy the food! Enjoy the people!”, and so on.
Two comments have stood out not for their enthusiasm but for their approach. One, from a well traveled friend of mine: “Trim your toenails before you leave. Your feet will swell from lots of walking and that extra bit of toe room makes a difference.”
The second from a parent at my wife’s school after my wife sent an email to parents saying she will be gone for a while and that we will meeting our daughter who has been working in Germany for the past year. Before our daughter returns home to start her own business, we are going to go explore Italy with her. We have never taken a trip like this before, (We have been to Canada and the East coast) and can’t pass up this once in a lifetime opportunity. The parent responded to my wife with,
“Good for you. Have a wonderful trip, we have never done anything like this either, so I will hold out hope that our daughter or son create the opportunity for us one day.”
If you can’t travel when you are young, maybe your children will make it possible for you when they are young adults. Bring your own toenail clippers.
When we tell people we are going to travel to Germany and Italy we get all sorts of advice and recommendations. The usual ones include “Have a great time!”, “Have a safe trip!”, “Oh, Italy! Enjoy the food! Enjoy the people!”, and so on.
Two comments have stood out not for their enthusiasm but for their approach. One, from a well traveled friend of mine: “Trim your toenails before you leave. Your feet will swell from lots of walking and that extra bit of toe room makes a difference.”
The second from a parent at my wife’s school after my wife sent an email to parents saying she will be gone for a while and that we will meeting our daughter who has been working in Germany for the past year. Before our daughter returns home to start her own business, we are going to go explore Italy with her. We have never taken a trip like this before, (We have been to Canada and the East coast) and can’t pass up this once in a lifetime opportunity. The parent responded to my wife with,
“Good for you. Have a wonderful trip, we have never done anything like this either, so I will hold out hope that our daughter or son create the opportunity for us one day.”
If you can’t travel when you are young, maybe your children will make it possible for you when they are young adults. Bring your own toenail clippers.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)