Cheating
I've been hiding a secret for the past two weeks. But now I feel compelled to be open and honest. I've been cheating on my breakfast ladies.
A few weeks ago I was invited to join a book club with a few ladies I met at a newcomer dessert a month earlier. I was happy to give the book club a try and have a chance to connect with some ladies in a smaller, more personal venue.
I arrived at the first meeting at 10am. We had coffee, ate some breakfast concoctions and chatted the day away. Literally. I left at 2:15 only because the kids get out of school at 2:40!
I had a good time and it was so nice to chat about a book, about kids, about life and just really start to connect with some people here. All of the ladies were very friendly and inclusive, even though they have all known each other for about a year and just met me.
As I left I felt a little twinge of pain in my heart. This was the same type of environment that "my ladies" and I enjoyed for about 2.5 years in Germany. Oh how I miss those mornings, the ladies.
Tomorrow I am hosting the book club / chat session at my house. As I flipped through some recipes deciding what to make, I flashed back to the faces of the ladies in my home in Germany. I was reminded of the studies we did, the opinions shared, the prayers lifted up, joys celebrated and tears that fell. Oh how I miss them so.
I feel a little like I'm cheating on them. I should be preparing a Christmasy gathering for them!
I hope that they are all moving on and making new connections in each of their homes but a little part of me still longs for us, for our quirky mix of lovely ladies to be gathered around sipping coffee and sharing life.
Moving on feels equally good and sad.
Looking back has such sweet memories and lasting relationships but looking ahead is a great glimmer of life and joy. I'll always cherish the ladies of Mannheim but I am so thankful that God has seen fit to ensure that I continue in the tradition of getting a nice sugar high, caffein boost, and friends to share life with a few times a month.
So on to the big question of my day.... Scones? Casserole? Christmas Blend or Pike's Place?
A few weeks ago I was invited to join a book club with a few ladies I met at a newcomer dessert a month earlier. I was happy to give the book club a try and have a chance to connect with some ladies in a smaller, more personal venue.
I arrived at the first meeting at 10am. We had coffee, ate some breakfast concoctions and chatted the day away. Literally. I left at 2:15 only because the kids get out of school at 2:40!
I had a good time and it was so nice to chat about a book, about kids, about life and just really start to connect with some people here. All of the ladies were very friendly and inclusive, even though they have all known each other for about a year and just met me.
As I left I felt a little twinge of pain in my heart. This was the same type of environment that "my ladies" and I enjoyed for about 2.5 years in Germany. Oh how I miss those mornings, the ladies.
Tomorrow I am hosting the book club / chat session at my house. As I flipped through some recipes deciding what to make, I flashed back to the faces of the ladies in my home in Germany. I was reminded of the studies we did, the opinions shared, the prayers lifted up, joys celebrated and tears that fell. Oh how I miss them so.
I feel a little like I'm cheating on them. I should be preparing a Christmasy gathering for them!
I hope that they are all moving on and making new connections in each of their homes but a little part of me still longs for us, for our quirky mix of lovely ladies to be gathered around sipping coffee and sharing life.
Moving on feels equally good and sad.
Looking back has such sweet memories and lasting relationships but looking ahead is a great glimmer of life and joy. I'll always cherish the ladies of Mannheim but I am so thankful that God has seen fit to ensure that I continue in the tradition of getting a nice sugar high, caffein boost, and friends to share life with a few times a month.
So on to the big question of my day.... Scones? Casserole? Christmas Blend or Pike's Place?
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