Day Six
April 6
Last day in the UK… tomorrow we head out to completely unchartered territories for each of us.
Geneva, Switzerland and the French Alps…
We spent the better part of the day, packing and repacking our luggage to suit tomorrow’s early morning departure.
We stepped out for a bit to take a quick look at Kirkstall Abbey, but unfortunately, just as we arrived, so did the rain in earnest.
This beautiful Cistercian monastery was founded over 800 years ago and I personally have loads of very dear memories wrapped up within these walls.
Sometimes, my sister, Julie and I would come for a visit and occupied ourselves for hours acting out all sorts of imaginary and dramatic scenes within the Abbey walls.
Julie, especially, enjoyed the acoustics while belting out her operas, as I hovered nearby in the open stone coffins watching pigeons come to take part in our silliness.
It’s how we entertained ourselves when we came to visit our Nanny who lived just a short distance away.
I think we’re ready for the next leg of our next adventure. I’m a bit anxious as I’ll be taking on the driving portion for the rest of our trip.
Usually I’m the navigator, while Andrei does the driving. Considering we got lost driving in the relatively small Dalby Forest the other day… maybe I am right to be a bit concerned!
We’ve called home quite a few times and while we miss the boys and Nellie dearly… Andrei continues to assure me that all is fine - no matter how uncomfortable they might be from time to time without us there.
He reminded me that this trip was something my mom made me promise I would take as soon as I was able after she passed away. She would say, “Debbie, please promise me you’ll get away and take some time to rest after all this…”
She carried a measure of guilt for the burden of her care. And, as much as we tried to lift it from her, it was a heavy cross for her to bear.
Often, I would gently remind her that while she was a burden… More importantly - she was OUR burden to bear. Our cross to carry to Heaven’s door.
Andrei is kind to remind me often of this promise…
I finished the evening with just a short walk around the block, passing by loads of kids playing rugby in the fields nearby. In another world, they may easily have been mine.
Yet, God saw fit to weave together a different place altogether for us to call home…
And, in reality, we are, but strangers and aliens… just passing through… making our way towards our Heavenly home where there will be no more pain or tears, sorrow or suffering, troubles and woes.
But until then… it’s time to weigh the suitcases one last time and rest safely and securely under the shadow of the Most High. 🔷