Dad passed away 1 year ago today.
This was a perfect way to spend the day. We attended the temple.
And, we slept for over 12 hours.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Events of the Day...
I had warned Spence that our accommodations at the Swiss Temple might be stark, like a college dormitory. But it was more like military barracks. Our room was tiny, with 2 bunk beds crammed against one wall and just enough room for suitcases to line the other wall which forced you to trip whenever you moved. We had a private shower and toilet – which made it tolerable. And it was stuffy.
We arrived about 11:00 at night and decided to make due for the evening. We didn’t hear the noise that began at 5 am as families prepared their breakfast, dealt with several noisey children and made their way to the morning sessions of the temple. We slept 12 hours! And I had to wake
everyone up at that!
Spence had a free day which he spent in Bern. Mom and I found that there were only 2 sessions left for the day. We did Washings for the 6 names that Beth had prepared for us and then went to a session.
We stood out like a sore thumb – Americans! And we were trying very hard to understand the little English people could speak and then to somehow, using gestures, facial expressions and any little word that seemed common to both languages in order to respond back. We did pretty well and people were patient. Mom tried especially hard. Sometimes she fell into the trap of “louder and slower” hoping that would make them understand. We finished making all the arrangements and were heading down the hall. Mom turned to me and with huge hand gestures, slow and loud semi-english words and eyes as big as saucers, tried to tell me that she needed to go to the restroom. All I could do was cut her off and say, “Mom, I speak English!” Well, you know how Burgon Women laugh. Right there in the area where we should be silent we were laughing hysterically, tears running down our faces, trying to tell each other to be quiet. The lovely women around us tried to remind us to be reverent – but then they could see it was hopeless and joined in the laughing. I don’t know if they knew why they were laughing, but it was a very bonding thing – German, French, Italian and English – laughing, as silently as possible as tears rolled down all of our cheeks.
That evening we walked a short way to a lovely restaurant. Eating outside makes every meal better, but this was fabulous. Then we went to bed. Spence returned about midnight.
Mom had a priority to do 2 sessions in this temple, so we got up early and joined the 8 am session.
I had warned Spence that our accommodations at the Swiss Temple might be stark, like a college dormitory. But it was more like military barracks. Our room was tiny, with 2 bunk beds crammed against one wall and just enough room for suitcases to line the other wall which forced you to trip whenever you moved. We had a private shower and toilet – which made it tolerable. And it was stuffy.
We arrived about 11:00 at night and decided to make due for the evening. We didn’t hear the noise that began at 5 am as families prepared their breakfast, dealt with several noisey children and made their way to the morning sessions of the temple. We slept 12 hours! And I had to wake
everyone up at that!Spence had a free day which he spent in Bern. Mom and I found that there were only 2 sessions left for the day. We did Washings for the 6 names that Beth had prepared for us and then went to a session.
We stood out like a sore thumb – Americans! And we were trying very hard to understand the little English people could speak and then to somehow, using gestures, facial expressions and any little word that seemed common to both languages in order to respond back. We did pretty well and people were patient. Mom tried especially hard. Sometimes she fell into the trap of “louder and slower” hoping that would make them understand. We finished making all the arrangements and were heading down the hall. Mom turned to me and with huge hand gestures, slow and loud semi-english words and eyes as big as saucers, tried to tell me that she needed to go to the restroom. All I could do was cut her off and say, “Mom, I speak English!” Well, you know how Burgon Women laugh. Right there in the area where we should be silent we were laughing hysterically, tears running down our faces, trying to tell each other to be quiet. The lovely women around us tried to remind us to be reverent – but then they could see it was hopeless and joined in the laughing. I don’t know if they knew why they were laughing, but it was a very bonding thing – German, French, Italian and English – laughing, as silently as possible as tears rolled down all of our cheeks.
That evening we walked a short way to a lovely restaurant. Eating outside makes every meal better, but this was fabulous. Then we went to bed. Spence returned about midnight.
Mom had a priority to do 2 sessions in this temple, so we got up early and joined the 8 am session.
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