Sister Wendy Speaks....The Departure and Arrival

The last 24 hours in Alessandria for my girls was filled with tears, laughter and humble gratitude. From my perch I watched as the various compound neighbors and friends came by to wish Kim and Rachel a fond farewell. They were given a number of sweet, heartfelt gifts which reflected Italian and Alessandrian culture.

Their final packing was a sight to behold--weighing each suitcase over and over with scientific accuracy and packing with engineering precision. They happily gave away many items that made no sense to drag back to American and they strategized just how they would manage their carry on luggage in these days of higher security and greater restrictions. Rita hovered close by and kept saying how sorry she was to see them go. Kim cried, Rachel had a lump in her throat and there were many hugs, kisses, and hopes voiced that they we would all return someday soon. I am proud of the girls because words like "extraordinary people" and "big, big hearts" were used and invitations for future lodging and home stays abounded.

On Thursday morning, June 11th, 2009 at 8AM and a year to the day from when they arrived, they left Via Verona, 41. Rachel and Kim's last sight was of Rita sweeping the courtyard. Roberto, in an amazing act of generosity gave us a ride to the airport. This was so much appreciated because there was no way the girls could have managed--even with the special and reliable Italian train system, it just would have been too daunting.

Their luggage.

Leaving Alessandria

The last view of Alessandria and the church steeple
(left side of picture) that is a major landmark.

Goodbye Italy and red brick roofs....

Ciao, Alps.

Hello green patchwork of England--oh, and Rachel says to add that flying into London she had a birds eye view of Buckingham Palace.

A reunion. Kim with friend Mike at young son Conor's baseball game.

Chris, one of our Alessandria guests and family companion, Emmett.

Conor, catcher extraordinaire. Ooops, keep your eye on the ball!

We are staying at friend, Jill's, beautiful home until we can move back into our home on July 1. In the meantime, I have been getting my rest and recovering from jet lag.

Kim wins the award for sleeping the best and Rachel wins the award for getting up very early. I have tried to give Rachel some hints--like doing a rosary to help lull her back to sleep but I don't think she's tried that yet.
So, they are reuniting with dear friends, enjoying the cooler Seattle weather and ooohing and ahhhing over the stunning beauty that Seattle gives forth this time of year.

Beautiful Lake Washington where the girls are walking daily...

They arrived just in time to help celebrate Alex's 17th birthday. Kim and Rachel were honored to be coaches at his birth so this is a very important occasion. Dad, Peter, in the background and mom, Deb, lighting his birthday pie. Oh, and while they were driving home from the party, I did overhear Kim and Rachel discussing what a wonderful young man Alex has turned out to be...funny, kind, smart, handsome. Praise be, I say to you!!

Then, a little later, after the joyous birthday occasion, I heard Kim shriek and then sigh. What, I wondered, could be going on??? I'm not exactly sure but I think it had something to do with the fact, (to paraphrase Kim) "we've not even been home for 48 hours and we're already heading to the hardware store!"

Well, I don't quite understand what Kim's point was because this is now life in Seattle. It's a very special place and I am going to have a little chat with the girls to challenge them to view "their own backyard" as special as their recent journey. I'm going to help them view it through my eyes.
Amen. sw