Thinking Back on a Trip

My wife and I were privileged to go to Belgium for three weeks over this past Christmas and New Year's time. The trip was made easier and more enjoyable because our daughter, son-in-law and two grandchildren live there (courtesy of NATO). My initial impressions were these:

• The country looks like it does in the movies
• There is a calmness and ease about the country (not everyone is on a cell phone)
• There is a quaintness that is typlified by businesses located in people's homes along neighborhood streets
• A lot of people walk, ride bikes, or scooters (even in the cold winter)
• The local bakeries know how to bake bread and eclairs
• Euros still seem a little like monopoly money but they cost more than real dollars

We had a great time being with family; visiting, playing games, building a snowwoman, and seeing the sites. The sites included a castle in The Netherlands, the uniqueness of several nearby villages, the lavish buildings of the plaza in Brussels along with some very good chocolate, and even a side trip to Paris and the historic stops in the city including Notre Dame; The Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, and countless architectual and artistic marvels. Yes, we did see the Mona Lisa (famous painting by Leonardo da Vinci that is in The Louvre) and she seems to be holding her age quite well. She is more petite than I imagined.

One thing that is very humbly about Europe is the age and history. Buildings that were constructed in the 12th and 13th Centuries are still in use and retain so much character and even charm. That gives new definition to the word "old." The old houses in our town or the old car that someone owns is really new in comparison to the castle we toured that was begun around 1150 and finally completed in the early 1800s.

Three weeks went by too quickly but with great enjoyment. Hopefully, we will be able to go back while they are still living there. Spring or summer would be my choice. Winter is cold there. But being with family is a warm experience anytime of the year.

What a Day!

Yes, today is a Monday, but it is a rather remarkable day. First, we actually had some rain this morning in North Texas - not much - but some. Second, today is our daughter's birthday. It seems impossible for her to have already reached this age (no, I am not telling how old she is, but she is still a young adult). After all I can still remember all the details of her birth. Now she is married with children of her own. And finally, today is the first day for our grandson (one of our birthday daughter's children) to return to school after a simple accident resulted in a small rupture in his spleen that was able to heal itself over a period of two weeks. While he did have a hospital stay of one week followed by another week being quiet and still at home, he did not have to have surgery to remove the spleen as earlier had been feared.

So today, we (my wife and myself) are thankful for the rain that came to a dry yard; we are thankful that God blessed us with two wonderful children, the younger of whom celebrates another wonderful year of life today; and we are thankful for four grandchildren, one of whom was healed without having to have surgery and has returned to most of his normal activities as of today. It really is a very, very good day!

Why Haven't You Written?

My loyal readers (both of them) have severely chastised me for failure to update this blog since the early part of December 2008. What can I say - I have no excuse - well, maybe I do:

• December company (great fun)
• Trip to Belgium - 3 weeks (great fun and soon to be written about)
• Stomach issues (enough said)
• Return to work (lots to do)
• Out of the habit (well, I don't wear a habit!)
• Out of excuses (that is why I am writing now)

All that is left to say is watch the site the next few days as I try to catch up on all that has happened. By the way - notice that I posted a new picture of our grandchildren that includes all 4 of them. Of course it was taken last May. For an article based on the picture, go to http://www.dentonbaptist.org/leadingforward.bigpicture...littledetails.htm . It is a good article even if I did write it myself.