The borders opened—we’re in France! Just a few hours away is lovely Amiens, directly on our route to Normandy.
“Let’s stop here for lunch!” said Chris, reading aloud about the Notre Dame Cathedral in Amiens. That sounded familiar, so I texted my mom: was this the cathedral she and my dad went to see while my sister and I waited at the Amiens train station the only other time I’ve been to France?
“Yes!” She texted back. “You and Hannah stayed with the luggage!😂”
Hannah and I sat there for what seemed like hours only to have my parents wander back raving about how old, cool and massive the cathedral was. Then it was time to get back on the train. This week when I went back and read my super whiny bratty trip journal from the time, I’m not surprised they needed a little break from us; I am surprised they didn’t just leave my grouchy jet legged self there to fend for myself. It’s funny being on the parenting end of the family now with my own sweet little whiners complaining about… well, almost everything. Sometimes I call my parents and complain about my kids’ complaining—ha ha! They’re amused, empathetic, and also not very sympathetic, all at the same time.
Anyway today I returned to Amiens with my own family. After admiring the cathedral, we enjoyed the regional speciality—macarons—along with some coffee. This is somewhere I look forward to seeing again! The whole city, not just the macarons.
There is a time maze in the floor of the cathedral. Isaac and Eloise love mazes. “Why do you think someone would put a maze in a church?” I asked the kids. “What does that say about God, or us?” Isaac shrugged. “It’s life,” he said. I guess that about sums it up. We can flounder about and feel like we’re going in circles, but as long as we are following God we’re not lost, just closer and closer to him.
Watching the USA from afar is difficult. On one hand, we are so thankful our region is currently opening back up. On the other hand, I feel guilty for planning a fun road trip vacation with all the chaos back in the States, especially Texas. It’s like watching Hurricane Harvey all over again. In Belgium I see Black Lives Matter signs and paint splashed on statues of King Leopold II for his inhumane and inexcusable treatment of Congo, and I see how the world is watching America, that American issues touch on issues experienced worldwide. Sometimes I feel encouraged by what seems like a nationwide self-examination, repentance, and desire to move forward together. Then at the same time everyone is fighting about masks and their personal rights and politics and everything seems like a disaster and I feel discouraged again. So my fellow Americans, our hearts are with you, even as we currently serve our country from outside it.
Road Trip to Garmisch Again!
Oui to Huy
Mozart’s Requiem
Royal Summer Nights in Brussels