Jennifer in Luxembourg

For once, I'm not writing on a train. I've traded it in for the crowded Lufthansa lounge in Munich, where sadly I've spent many hours. I had a 7hr layover (that's what cheap ticket Jen does), and have had a nice lunch of goulash washed down with Coke Zero as I slog through the massive mountain of emails. I'm hitting the usual Munich-lounge-afternoon-jetlag-slump and trying to power through. I arrived here after 10 hours of a flight from Denver. But let's back up a week. To a 4:40 AM pickup... 4:40AM- standing on my curb, waiting for the Uber I sprung for, to take me to the train station. There was a threat of rain, and my checked luggage bag didn't interest me in rolling it all the way down to the tram (busses don't run this early). So to the Gare I went!  5:11AM- hop on the train to Brussels! Alternate napping, and keeping the suitcase from rolling away on the bends... 8:17AM- arrive in Brussels! Buy a ticket on the Belgian train app on my phone a...

I'm on a train, where historically I ponder and write. And today I'm pondering the two men I met today in Belgium. One, brand new to me in-person, the other a long-awaited reunion with an old friend. The first was Dirk. We've been trying to organize a time to see his vast sprinkler collection, and today the stars finally aligned. I was in awe of the time and care he has put into his collection. You could feel his legacy and life work in his office and workshop as I scanned row after row of shelves sprinklers, almost daring to breathe in a place this spectacular. It felt almost holy to be there. A privilege and an honor for sure. I'm not sure how many have had the opportunity to see this collection in-person, and I'm sure there are fewer still that can appreciate the depth and care with which it has been carefully cultivated over the years. He generously shared his memories and sprinklers with me. The second was Daniel. He picked me up from the train station an...

I’m sitting on the central line, speeding along to Euston.  And still remembering this afternoon. My feet dragging at the thought of leaving my friends in such a stunning Sunday afternoon. True I weighed down by my backpack but still there was an incredible weight holding me in the church lobby. Eventually we ambled outside. One friend joining for the walk and carrying my suitcase all the way down to the tram. Another joining along route, carrying four bananas.  We just missed the tram. I could’ve made it but the thought of quick goodbyes seemed gross. So we waited the nine minutes to the next one. I did round of goodbyes, then Keziah jumped aboard. I was grateful for the company, but then Nat and Greg joined as well. They rode it to the end, ushered me inside and came as far as they were allowed before security.  It’s an incredible feeling really. Being treated like family. An airport run, I’m quite sure, was on no one’s bucket list for the day but it completely made...

I did it again.  Exhaustion from my two hours of sleep last night overwhelmed me as I scrolled through the Lufthansa movie selection, marking the ones I wanted for the flight. Zootopia 2 has been at the top of my list, so I happily watched that before a spot of lunch and a nap. I walked around a flight packed with my coworkers before returning and selecting another one from my bookmarked list, Audrey's Children. The name niggled in my brain as something I had heard of before and noted wanting to watch. The description stated it was about a doctor and the children she wanted to help, and the open scene stated it was based on a true story. I settled in to begin.  And just per my luck, it was about cancer. Two days until my 13th bone marrow transplant birthday, so I decided why the heck not, could be therapeutic, and continued watching the movie. And cried I think almost the entire two hours of the movie. There's the usual heaviness that accompanies me leading up to BMT birthday,...

Every night this week, as I've climbed into my bed in my empty house alone, I’ve been reminded and felt the love here in Luxembourg. This particular love is in the shape of a tabletop humidifier. It’s the loaned gift of a colleague- friend who heard my cough as she drove me to our satellite office, and promptly declared it a dry cough. A few mornings later, I found her arranging the device on my desk, setting it to my favorite color, and turning it on to release the therapeutic vapors in my office. She poured the essential oils she'd brought from home: the one that said for ease of breathing and seemed most applicable honestly. I dutifully carried it home.  Love looks like the friend who carried my dishes from dinner all the way to my house, despite the pouring rain. An has continued to walk me all the way home recently, always being sure to offer help to carry my heavy bags.  Love looks like the friend who made me dinner at my own home last night. And came over to help ...

 I sit in my living room, the clicking of the keys the loudest noise right now. It's been a full week. Thursday was the Psalms and Sisters, young women's group, with about 16 women filling my living room. Friday was unofficial "Friday dinner" with 16 young adults filling said living room, the last ones peeling off only around 2AM. Saturday was scheduled rest day, but included a phone call with my dear Boston friend, a walk around the city centre with a dear Lux friend, and ended with tea at my Lux best friend's apartment. Sunday has included church, lunch out with the young adults, tea + cake at my house this afternoon for the group, and a simple dinner for the last remaining girl.  This is not unlike a lot of other weekends here. My house is often filled, and I'm glad for that. It can be exhausting, for sure, but my heart is so full. I'm doing what I believe I have been called to do, and I'm living in that strength.  Last night, I scrolled on my phone...