Jennifer in Luxembourg

Boston birthdays sucked. So I’ve stacked my Europe birthdays. Last year, I welcomed 30 with one of my best friends, in Hungary, on an absolutely spectacular and memorable trip. This year, I had the privilege of hosting 4 young friends from Cleveland in Europe. I arranged our trip to be sure to be in Lux on my birthday, and had a few friends join for dinner. I stood in the living room after the birthday dinner, hugging my one friend here. We were discussing my visiting friends, and is often the case when we find ourselves side-hugging at an event, debriefing the event. It was a moment of immense gratitude for me. For Jack bringing me flowers, and he and Ben carrying a table quite a distance up a hill for dinner. For Stasi doing my make-up. For N bringing a cake and candles, and the most darling earrings. For A bringing a lovely bracelet and a ring I’m simply in love with. For the Ws gifting me a thoughtful game that I’ve been looking to purchase for myself. For G having put my birthday ...

Last week I had friends’ visiting, and they graciously parted me with a cold. Which also could be the result of just running myself a tinge ragged. But I left work early Friday, as I had a splitting headache and felt myself on the brink. And given my health history, it’s always better to try to nip it in the bud, and not let myself get actual sick, or I’ll be mostly at death’s door. It’s hard getting sick in a foreign country. At my disposal are no longer the car or 24hr pharmacy of the USA. I’m armed with the supply od Dayquil I carry back from the USA every trip, and whatever home remedies I can scrounge, while waiting for a doctor to open at a reasonable hour that I also have strength to leave the house. I called Daniel as I walked home. I mentioned the beginnings of a cold, and his instant reaction was terrified worry. I got a stern warning to rest and be ok, as he was worried the beginnings of a cold would turn into something much severe. It was kind to see his reaction and...