Saturday, May 02, 2009

Getting Ready to Travel

I think it was back in February I made flight plans to travel to Germany to visit Rachel, Josiah, and Annika. It seemed so far away then - - but the time has flown, at least for me. I leave this coming Wednesday. Am I ready? Not yet. But I'm working on it.

I've been busy with my regularly scheduled activities and work, but there have been some extra things thrown in there too. One of my cousins (by marriage) died and I went to her funeral in Le Center last Saturday. I'm glad I got to go because I saw cousins I hadn't seen in a long time. Then later that day, my choir had its annual music festival. Four choirs from the twin cities joined ours for a wonderful concert. There were 310 voices and a 40 piece orchestra, plus about 1500 guests in the audience. Rachel's aunt and uncle came and I got to visit with them before taking my place with my choir. This is an event I look forward to every year. For me, it feels like a taste of what Heaven will be: choirs, grandchildren, and desserts! When you put that many people in one place with everyone singing because of the love they have for music, the roof nearly raises off the building. It was a fulfilling day.

Yesterday after work I drove to Rochester and my brother and I went to a dinner sponsored by the college we had attended. Once again, we saw friends from the past. After a delicious dinner, we listened to the guest speaker, Joe Sensor, a former Minnesota Vikings player. It was an inspirational time.

This morning Jerry, Janet and I are going to spend some time together talking about what our final wishes may be. We're getting to the place where some decisions may need to be made (don't worry - there is NOTHING wrong with any of us) and I felt it would make sense to have discussed it. I hear from friends that their loved one had this or that and they were left to decide things without a plan. Also, we just wanted to spend some time together.

When I get home later today, I'll pull out my bags and begin to pack them. Monday and Tuesday are booked solid for me, so I need to be fully ready by Sunday night. Wish me luck.

Josiah, Annika and Rachel - see you Thursday afternoon!

2 comments:

Pat said...

Lots on your plate, Donna. I did not realize that the Germany trip was coming up so soon. I know you will have a good time. I will want to hear all about it when you return.

Laughed when I read "that is what you think heaven is like--music, grandchildren and desserts."

MamaD4 said...

We can't wait to have you here! The kids are asking me every day "How many days until Grandma comes?" and we are working on a special project for you today.

I am proud of you and Janet and Jerry for getting your last wishes out of the way...Hans and I have done it and I know it's uncomfortable and not very much fun to contemplate, but it is very necessary. I think my parents finally got theirs done, but they kept putting it off for a long time.