The group left, mostly, on Tuesday. On Sunday we had a reflection day, Monday was free for all to go around Rome but on Monday evening we had, as a farewell meal, an indoor picnic, the weather was just too cool. This has been an incredible June, weatherwise.
The picnic was the time for frivolity - and Marcia, Karen and I were to be the brunt of it. Sung to a "A few of my favorite things.." we heard a summary of their time in Rome. Then we were given an Awards each for our work. Amongst the reasons for mine were
"whereas Kym has discoverd not only the best beer and gelato stops in Rome, but also the finest WC's money can't buy.
Whereas Kym has begun teaching us a second language: we shall not 'spit the dummy' and we shall look for 'powerpoints' in the wall instead of on the computer, and we shall get money from 'a hole in the wall'.
The Americans did find the Australian way with expressions both interesting and bemusing at times.
Then Sr Julian, the Uganda sister brought forward a small choir who did a 'word song' of thanks. I have never heard anythng quite like this. Dylan Thomas' choruses in Under Milkwood are the closest I have heard and they are very simple compared to this complex song. It was done according to a Ugandan rhythm, intertwinning and flowing. As they sang she gave us each a large card of thanks along with a gift. It was entrancing. She also sang and drummed her favorite hymn Psalm 133 - How good and how pleasant it is when people live it unity. A very fitting end to the time together.
Next day we farewelled them and since then have packed up, written reports, thanked the various Casa sisters for their work etc etc. We still have another week here. Today we go to Norcia, St Benedict's birth place and stay overnight: a farewell to that place. Then we will take time to see those parts of Rome we have never had time for...and hopefully I'll do a few more posts on this blog.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment