Train-setting away

This week reality has hit. The honeymoon of moving to Europe is fast fading, and the reality of life on my own in a new country has set in. It started this weekend with immobilizing back pain. I slept for almost 2.5 days nonstop, only waking for a few scant meals and the bathroom (and church and Bretzelsonndeg briefly).

I remember two instances from Boston. Once I fell down the attic stairs, and possibly blacked out. I never moved around the apartment without my phone handy again. Second, I slipped on the ice leaving the apartment, severely bruising my tailbone. I made it back to my apartment, but I was in too much pain to move to even get food for a few days. I remember feeling so absolutely alone. This was well before I knew people in Boston, and I seriously could think of no one to call.

This weekend was different. Same situation of excruciating pain. And no one within 30 minutes I could call. But I made a mental list. A coworker in Luxembourg who shared her personal number. Former students in Frankfurt, Paris, and London who would all come if I needed them. Colleagues in Amsterdam, Germany, and France who would readily call someone on my behalf and speak in the native languages. It was a comforting thought.

And now I’m writing this on a train to Cologne. The Lord is kind to arrange things in advance of the difficulties he knows we’ll face. Last night I felt desperately alone and sad. And today- I’m chugging along to meet a former student. Samy followed my cooking IG while he was in classes, and when he knew I was in Luxembourg invited me to visit Cologne while he was here for work. I accepted the offer, only for him to make dinner reservations with his wife and friends, and plan on fun ways to show me the city. He messaged me about a dinner reservation for 7PM. I let him know my train only got in at 7:12, but I was happy to meet the group after dinner. Instead, the group changed the time to 8PM. While the days are filled with work, the evenings have been reserved to be a tourist with a local tour guide. It was a generous offer, that I’m glad I accepted. I’ve needed to get away from Luxembourg, but more importantly to be with others outside of work hours.

As we rush through the lush green countryside, I’m reminded yet again of the new life of spring, and the years that the locust have eaten being restored to me. Thank you, Jesus.