All Saints Sunday November 5, 2023

 The day began unusually.  Karin picked up me, my suitcase, backpack, and bag with good walking shoes. She brought me to All Saints Church for our choir 8:30 am call. We warmed up and rehearsed pieces from each if the seven movements of the Franz von Suppe requiem. When we broke to vest I took a long and final look at photos on our Offrenda of very special friends who have died.  I hoped that after I die my choir photo would join the Offrenda along with Donna, my alto buddy, who left us this year. I felt a tear filled with mixed emotions as I looked at her image, remembered that I would need to leave this very special service and behind an adventure to Budapest and Prague. The church was full as we sang the Requiem and Kyrie. After the sermon I left the choir loft, having sung only four of the seven movements and not having taken communion. 

  Nevertheless I did as we had planned and met Karin outside on the steps.  The feels were still very mixed. We talked about them as she drove to LAX. Our farewell was bittersweet. She gave me loving motherly advice and the family travel wishes, and we parted.

  My LAX experience was the best that I can remember. There was no line at the counter, the kind young man at the business class counter called me over and checked me in and even added my global entry number so that I breezed through TSA and headed for the gate. It was 12:30, and boarding wouldn't begin for two hours. I had those mixed feelings again. So I walked and walked, ate some edamame, texted with daughters three and All Saints friends and walked lots more. 

  The flight was smooth, and young male seatmates friendly and polite. I slept about 45 minutes of each hour, awakening to get out of my seat and stand and walk. The night passed slowly. 

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