Back in the USA.... With a Lifetime of Memories...

As scheduled, Patti and I got to Lourdes, France with the fabulous Knights of Malta and returned to Atlanta on May 7th.  It was a busy, busy time and I kept a modest journal so that we can remember what church we were seated in on which day and with what type of weather.  I'll not tire you with the whole itinerary, but I'm glad to provide a flavor for the event....

It was wonderful.  But wonderful not only in the way I was expecting.  Yes the grotto and the cathedrals and and the village were very moving.  The atmosphere of hope and prayer was impossible to avoid.  Sick pilgrims (malades) from around the world were in attendance.  And they were smiling, all of them.  There was not a sad face in the entire place.  Lourdes is a place where the Virgin Mother made an appearance to a uneducated shepherd girl in 1858 and has a history of providing miracles and answering prayers.  There are as many hotel rooms (small, no... tiny) in Lourdes as there are in Paris.  Malades, companions, friends and fellow pilgrims come and come all year long.  But within the Domain that is the Holy area of Lourdes there are numerous holy places to reflect and to pray so it does not feel uncontrollable; unless you choose to take the Holy Waters in the baths.  Not a quick process, but at least it's very cold.  Patti went in on day one.

But like I said, the physical Lourdes is not the only impressive part.  For Patti and me, the most impressive part was the magnificent gift of time and love shown to us by our fellow Pilgrims including the Knights and Dames of Malta.  Every one of the people on our charter flight was an accomplished individual who wore the uniforms of the Order proudly and spent their time in France completely absorbed in giving comfort to the sick.  "Do you want a wake up call?"  "Can I get you a bottle of water?"  "How was your nap?"  It was so warm.  Patti's feet rarely touched the street outside the hotel as she was transported by Knights and Dames from hotel to cathedral to water taps, the grotto and places of solitude in the ubiquitous buggy that is unique to Lourdes.  We also had a lovely bus excursion into the Piedmont of the Pyrenees mountains.  Everything we saw was gorgeous.

But we are so glad to be home.  Last night was an engagement party for Kiley and Karl at the home of Jack and Nanky Tribble in Atlanta.  It was a special evening and as close to a home grown group hug that a family can enjoy.  We are very fortunate, all of us.

The link here takes you to a photo album I put together of Lourdes.  I hope it works for you.

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Tom