Sometime in late October, Hans invited me to fly out to Washington D. C. to celebrate Thanksgiving with them. Even though we were in a world-wide pandemic, I decided to take him up on the offer. After all, most, if not all of the activities where I live, were canceled. And I hadn't been with him or his family since last Christmas. I am so happy that I accepted his invitation because I had the best time!
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| In Minneapolis, I was the ONLY one going through security! |
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| Just before landing at Reagan National, below me is the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument. |
Hans picked me up at the airport, which, by the way, was nearly empty! It was nearly empty in Minneapolis, too. My flight had 22 passengers—the plane held 176. When we got to his house, Rachel, Josiah, Annie and William were all inside the door to welcome me. That sure made me feel good. Josiah gave me his bedroom, and he also carried my luggage upstairs. We visited for a little bit and then it was bedtime.
Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, Rachel made a delicious meal. She insisted on doing it all by herself and wouldn't let me help at all. She also did all the clean-up.
Hans showed me around the house, pointing out all of the work they had had done since I had last been there, which was two years ago. They had added a screened in porch, a new deck and a lovely patio underneath the porch. Their cats, Rhett Butler (a beautiful black and white) and Newt, a new, 6 month old that is gray and white, and rather small. He has beautiful orange eyes.
In the evenings we watched Netflix episodes of "The Crown," a fiction account of the Royal family and a new Netflix season of "The Great British Bakeoff." Hans' kids don't really watch tv, so there was no arguing about what we should watch.
During a couple of the days I played Mario Brothers with Josiah and William. I am terrible at this video game, but the boys think it's fun and they encourage me, telling me I'm doing great. Annie stays in her room quite a bit, but was friendly when she was out.
On Friday night Rachel and the kids decorated their beautiful Christmas tree. Hans and I sat nearby watching them and enjoying the scene.
Saturday Hans took William and me to Five Guys for hamburgers. Then later he and I went for a drive in the country. What a beautiful area they live in. Sunday and and I went to church together.
By Monday it was time for the kids to return to school and Hans and Rachel to go to work. Hans stayed back a few hours and first took me to the airport before reporting to work at the Pentagon. I had a great time!
