Christmas in the United States

I flew into Washington yesterday, after an uneventful flight, and got a little emotional as we descended onto the airport runway. Everything looked the same, but I was returning as a visitor for the first time in 13 years, and it felt different. I am staying with friends here in Washington for the weekend, and will see my church family and sing with my home choir on Sunday at Western Presbyterian Church and attend a concert of the Washington Bach Consort on Sunday afternoon.

Then I will take a bus to New York City and stay there for a few days to visit with my friends Vi and Joanne, and to do some Christmas shopping! On Christmas Eve I will take the bus to Springfield, where I hope Kenny and Chris will pick me up for the trek to Amherst and the Christmas eve service at First Congregational Church in Amherst.

I'll be with my family in Amherst and Boylston for the rest of my stay in the States, until I take off from Boston on January 2nd - arriving back in Nice on the 3rd.

I wish all my friends and readers an illuminating Winter Solstice, a festive Hannukah, a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year! See you in 2009!