A View from Switzerland!! Happy Thanksgiving:)

I am many miles and hours away from my own computer on this Thanksgiving Day.  Last year I had a fabulous time with my son, Geordie, and his girlfriend, Mandy.  This year I am equally fortunate to be spending it with my niece, Nicole, her husband Wil and 2 lovely and energetic children, Soren and Sidney.

Last year, Geordie, Mandy and I had so much fun making a gorgeous Thanksgiving meal together.  This year we did not even remember that it was Thanksgiving until about an hour ago!!!  We are having Thanksgiving Tacos though so it will be memorable as well.  No pumpkin pie but there is banana bread in the oven and fresh corn tortillas being made as I type!  As Sidney (2 years old) would say, “DELICIOUS!”

Soren, Sidney and Nicole were all busy in school this morning so Wil took me to Lausanne, a local city.  The highlight was an amazing cathedral built around 1170.  Of course, all of us who read “Pillars of the Earth” know that a cathedral was NOT built in a year but took decades and decades to complete.

It was amazing with incredibly high ceilings, stained glass windows and a feeling of  such history.  I am always in awe in places like that.  The architecture, the vision, talent, fortitude and commitment to create such a place.  The people who have walked and prayed there through the centuries………….it makes me feel humble and in awe.

When we walked in there were a group of about 6 elderly men off in a smaller side chapel chanting.  I would guess they were monks or priests.  Their voices blended and rose in such beauty.  Strong and pure.  Worshiping what was dear to their hearts.

The old and the sacred.  That was such a gift to me.  I could have sat in there for a very long time.

And then the “new” and the “life” that I am experiencing with Soren and Sidney!  The energy of young beings is incredible!  I am not around children a lot these days so it brings back many memories of raising my own children and the patience and love it takes to be good parents.  It also takes vision, talent, fortitude and commitment to raise our children………..along with large amounts of patience and energy!   Wil and Nicole are beautifully dedicated to raising sensitive, feeling, caring children.  No greater gift to our world.

So once again it is about connection.  The connection to those who have gone before and created lasting beauty and a sense of the sacred.  The connection to family and creating new memories and deepening bonds and experiences.  I am very blessed to be here on this Thanksgiving Day with people that I love and that love me.

I like to practice gratitude each day but this day may we truly focus on all the blessings in our lives.  Those that are apparent and those that hide in the shadows.  May we search a little deeper and in doing so find even more joy in our lives.  It is there.

Blessed may we all be.  Deep love and appreciation!  Melanie