living life in a different country, different culture, different experiences; being different
In early June, we were at our church retreat in lovely Davos. We stayed at the great little family-run Hotel Seebüel. Here are some pictures:
It was a fun, relaxing and educational retreat where we got to know our church members better and enjoyed being in the beautiful nature which God has created.
syc
Well, at least in Switzerland, my boy is now considered an adult at 18 years old!
Oh my, where did the time go? 18 years ago, we welcomed this little chubby baby into our lives and what an adventure it has been. From the uncertainty of first-time parenthood to his first steps, from his first day at kindergarten to two broken arms, through the frustrations and the joys of being a family (every family has its moments), from growing pains to pride, he is now on the brim of adulthood! Wow!
He decided that for his 18th birthday party to have just a couple of friends over for some food and games. So we bought his favourite sushi and added on some KFC to make sure that hungry teenagers are well fed. Of course, the must-have red velvet cupcakes was made and consumed. Very low key but that was what he wanted.
We did break with tradition and instead of me cooking a nice dinner at home, we went out to a lovely restaurant by the river and had some lovely fish.
Sigh! My baby is now an adult. This will take time to sink in. And while I mull over that, here are a few photos…
syc
I did not pick up this book at a bookstore. A friend had finished reading it and passed it on to me saying, “I think you will enjoy this book.”, and she was so right. I did like it very much.
This book is essentially a record of Albom‘s conversations with Morrie, his old college professor in the last few months of Morrie‘s life, as he was dying of a terrible disease. Sounds depressing? I thought so too before I started reading this. It is anything but. It is such a life-affirming read.
Morrie was Albom‘s favourite professor but life took over after college and he never kept in touch, only by chance did he see a news story on Nightline and found out that his old beloved professor was dying. He went to see Morrie. He thought it would be the last chance to simply say goodbye but Albom got so much more than that.
Interspersed throughout the conversations are flashbacks to Albom‘s college years and the times spent with Morrie when he was healthy and a dancer. These backstory moments give context to the conversations with a dying man.
They talked about lots of things; marriage, fear of aging, the world, regrets, money, family, culture, love, emotions, feeling sorry for yourself, death, the perfect day, forgiveness, and finally goodbye. In every conversation, Morrie passes on his little pearls of wisdom, not in a patronising “I-know-more-than-you” way or in a “I-am-dying-listen-to-me” way but in a loving “I-want-the-best-for-you” kinda way.
“Once you learn how to die, you learn how to live.”
“Love each other or perish.”
“Learn to detach.”
“I am every age, up to my own… …How can I be envious of where you are – when I’ve been there myself?”
“But giving to other people is what makes me feel alive… …Do the kinds of things that come from the heart.”
“I believe in being fully present.”
“…when we are infants, we need others to survive… …when you get like me, you need others to survive… …But here’s the secret: in between, we need others as well.”
“Forgive yourself before you die. Then forgive others.”
“Death ends a life, not a relationship.”
These are some of the things which struck me as I read the book. Throughout the book, you see Albom‘s perspective on life, his career and relationships change. It’s a wonderful thing to have a great teacher and that was what Morrie was, to the very end.
I hope you would be interested to learn from Morrie and find out more about the above statements which I pulled out of the book.
Happy Reading!
syc
trippingdifferently 