Michele left :-(

Well, Michele got off safely this morning while Marissa was running with Wimon. And I got a call this evening letting me know she got to Portland safely. It sure was a treat seeing her. It is wonderful to have friends who have known you (and put up with you) for more than two decades. Can you even imagine, kids? :-)

We had a good visit with Hannah and Matt, and discovered that Matt's uncle was the valedictorian of my high school class. And Matt's mom also graduated from my high school a few years later. Small world, huh?

We are getting a taste of the "empty nest" now. Marcella sleeps most of the time (right now--and for however long--she's at Shannon Clark's house, but will sleep tomorrow morning when we're up). Marissa's in the Junior Scholars world. And Martin is . . . in Montevideo? Or in Brazil? It is a strange feeling, all right.

I wish Martin could come for the Sunday evening Taize service. Your father has spent innumerable hours working on it. We're doing some new songs and have some with cantor parts performed by Susan Teel and her father. AND we are doing "Da Nobis Pacem". It doesn't seem right to sing it without doing dishes or being on a road trip on a bumpy road! Wish we could just let you kids sing it. But this version has a fancy "Amen" section at the end that we never quite figured out but were able to "dumb down" and agree on. And we're almost done putting together the slide show, too. Should be quite an experience.

But, truth be told, I'm looking forward to the sandwich supper as much as to the service. It was sad missing the church meal on Wednesday evening since the summer schedule has started. Maybe we can have some ice cream socials or build-your-own Sundaes on Sunday sometime.

It's bedtime. Dream with the angels. And write when you wake up! Love, Mom