How I Spent My Summer Vacation

Bonjour!! I’ve recently returned from a wonderful two-week visit to France, my first-ever trip to Europe. The occasion was a music and art tour, sponsored by Concordia University Chicago, and I tagged along with my wife, Deb, who was part of the faculty contingent. We traveled throughout France with a group of 70 students including the tour choir, chamber orchestra, art majors, and several alumni. The musicians provided concerts in several beautiful cathedrals.

I wasn’t in charge of anything on this trip other than getting to the bus on time and generally staying out of the way! This was great because I had time to absorb and consider the sights and sounds along the way. Here are just a few of my musings from this journey:

What a World! All too often I take for granted the beauty of God’s creations. I’m thankful that the opportunity to see France for the first time shook me out of this bad habit. The beauty and charm of the French countryside, the villages, the cathedrals, the vineyards … wow!

The Power of Lunch. I’m typically not much of a lunch person, especially on days I’m in the office. So, it was great to gain some appreciation for this important time of day from the people of France. They also seem to understand the importance, from a wellness perspective, of taking time mid-day to relax, renew and enjoy the company of others. It was fun to see shops, even in the touristy areas, with “out for lunch” signs posted and to watch school children walking home for their noon meal. Of course, given the quality of food we experienced in France, who wouldn’t want to slowly savor the taste experience?!

Why so Many Languages? The fact that many of the countries in Europe are the size of some of our U.S. states makes me wonder how it would be if each of our 50 states had its own language. ( I realize some would say that places like Wisconsin and North Carolina DO have their own language!) I need to learn more about how these distinct languages came about. With the people of Europe already enjoying easy travel between countries as well as an increasingly common currency in the Euro, is it possible that someday there will be a common language? Until I get my act together and become fluent in some other language, I vote for English.

Are We There Yet? At various points along our tour through France, we’d hear the students from the back of the bus having fun recalling the favorite family vacation question, “Are we there yet?” Even though I get to travel a lot, it still amazes me how quickly we are able to get from place to place thanks to the marvel of air travel! Breakfast in Chicago and dinner in Nice … it’s a miracle!

Now that’s Old! Being a product of Illinois and Florida, I enjoy traveling to the east coast of the U.S. where so many historical sites date back 200 or 300 years, sometimes more. This is nothing, however, compared to many of the castles, cathedrals and villages in Europe. A good reminder of what a youngster the United States really is in the lifeline of civilization.

Here is the Church … The cathedrals and churches we visited were awe-inspiring to be sure. I honestly don’t know how they constructed these magnificent buildings given the equipment available when many were built. As in the U.S., the spires and towers of churches in France serve as centerpieces of villages and communities. Not being in any one place long enough, I don’t know how many of them house vibrant communities of believers or how many of them are active centers of health and healing outreach in their community. It appeared that many primarily served as tourist attractions … but I hope I am wrong about this.

America’s Got Talent! Looking back, I don’t recall being as intelligent or talented during my collegiate years as the students I met on this trip. The musical ability of the singers and instrumentalists is awesome and inspiring. Those with whom I was able to have extended conversations seem very focused on living their faith and making a difference in the world. Very encouraging!

Thank God for Family! One of the special benefits of this trip was time spent not only with Deb but also with our two daughters. Katie came along on the tour. Kris lives in Germany and was able to join us in Paris before we hopped the bullet train to visit her new home outside of Kaiserslautern. Even though it’s easier than ever to stay in touch, there’s nothing like time together in person! I returned from France thankful once again, for three great gifts of wellness to me … Deb, Kris and Katie.

Thanks for letting me share. Whether you do a vacation or a “staycation” this summer, I hope you find time to relax, renew and refresh as you enjoy the warmth of this wonderful season!