Commonalities and Divine Providence
Aug 25 2010
I discovered an interesting foreign perspective about U.S. consumers:
The air mattress we bought in Germany has separate warnings for Great Britain and the U.S. The U.S. warning mentions that the mattress is “Not for use in water” and “These warnings are to avoid serious injury.”
I understand soccer vs. baseball, scones vs. apple pie, and Indian vs. Mexican (cuisines the countries have taken over domestically) – but how is it that we Americans wouldn’t know that the warnings will help us avoid serious injury? And don’t the Brits take things into the water that don’t belong there?
Anyway, the mattress was taken out because we hosted the retirement party and final two weeks of stay for good friends, Lt Col Ben and Susan Paganelli. Our families met in Germany. They lived up the street from us; have three children of the same age and gender; and, also sent their kids to the local German school. And we enjoyed having a beer together in as many countries as we could fit into our holidays. Talk about commonalities.
It’s funny how providence (and the military) works. The Pags are sent to Germany, and then we are. They’re sent to Colorado Springs, and then we end up here. Now they’re off to Washington, and we’ll see if providence guides us to a new “used” Class C RV so we can go visit.
The parting was a repeat of a part of military life though. The military is a great life because it provides us with so many good friends. But along with the introductions come the departures and the sad goodbyes. But, without the goodbyes, we wouldn’t have the friends. And, with the Pags, we got to say goodbye twice. And, the parting included our hosting a great party. That worked out well.
Hi Tom, That is the only thing I miss about the military; the wonderful friends I met and ones I would have met had I stayed in:>) The civilian world is so different–no one to share Thanksgiving with like family! Hope you are all doing well. Don is busy teaching–where did you guys live in England? He has classes in Alconbery and Lakenheath and the drive is awful!!! Paula
@Paual – good points, like you said, we’ve also had holidays with friends who are family to us (you two should come down for T’giving, speaking of which). And the goodbyes are worth the price to be ab;e to have those friends.
MC lived in Ely when she was at Lakenheath. She took me there for a surprise b-day present when we lived in Germany. If you can go, do so, they have the wonderful cathedral that you two would enjoy. There is also a tour that takes you up and onto the roof! You won’t find that in the states. And have a meal at the firehouse in Ely. Email MC for more ideas.
Enjoy England.
HI Tom, I leave tomorrow and yes we went to Ely–what a cathedral–it is huge and to think it is in this little village. WE didn’t eat there though! Too many places to see. MC had a drive if she lived in Ely. It has been soooo cold here–look forward to getting home. You are right about friends and holidays. I was just telling Don and my daughter that. Lisa said that everyone is always busy with their family during the holidays. I was supposed to go to Cliff’s at Thanksgiving, but he is being deployed to Iraq. Don will still be gone–he doesn’t get home until 23 Dec. I will keep the suggestion open and you can let me know if you are going to do go anywhere for Thanksgiving. Paula