Random Acts of Kindness

I am constantly amazed and touched by people. The kindness of strangers that can be shown in the most unexpected ways. I should start at the beginning.

Running behind schedule, I did not have time to acquire food for the sixteen-hour train ride home. The train has a cafe car, but it is ridiculously expensive and not very good. But in a pinch, I knew I could stomach a sandwich if absolutely needed. A stop at a local gas station, gave me a bag of peanut M’Ms, pizza pretzel rolls and a small package of Oreos. Not exactly great fare, but something at least. I slept on and off, never able to get really comfortable. My knee was hurting and I had no pain medication to stave off the throbbing. In Syracuse, my seat mate left and I hoped to have some room to stretch out for the last two hours. Fortunately, this was not the case. A little old woman had boarded and was looking for a seat. Catching her eye, I motioned to the empty seat next to me and relief flooded her face. I lifted her small suitcase into the overhead which was far above her head. She was a chatty little lady, but very sweet. Her name was Phyllis and she was going to visit her daughter outside of Albany. We chatted away, and the time passed quicker than I could have hoped. I was beginning to hear my stomach rumble, but decided just to wait until Albany, where I was changing trains and had time to get some food. It would be a little better, and not nearly as expensive! Unfortunately my stomach did not agree with my plan and began to cramp. As I waited for an appropriate break in the conversation to excuse myself to the dining car, Phyllis said she needed to use the restroom, and would I mind watching her things. Perfect! She could go the bathroom and when she returned, I would go to the cafe. The announcement from the conductor, closing the cafe car, changed that plan. I would just have to suffer until Albany - only 90 minutes or so. Yett God provides. Phyllis returned and immediately offered half of the sandwich she had brought with her. It was a thick biscuit piled with turkey, ham and cheese. She apologized for how little she had, but like the story of the fishes and loaves, it ended up being more than enough. It sustained me until long after I got home to dinner.

Here is the second kindness. In Elkhart, the train station is tiny and there is no platform which rises up to met the train. Passengers must lug their suitcases onto the tiny step and heave themselves and their bags up onto the train. I had a backpack, which was loaded down with books, my suitcase and my instrument case. I nearly fell backwards off the train on my first few attempts. Thankfully, the platform in Albany was level with the door of the train and I could just drag my suitcase off the train and onto to platform. It is the same in Poughkeepsie. The first Christmas surprise met me in Albany, in the guise of my father appearing in the train station in front of me. I had expected him to meet me in Poughkeepsie, but he had taken a train up to Albany to surprise me. It was a lovely surprise and I was overjoyed to see him. Not to mention he took over lugging my heavy suitcase! Now on my return trip, my suitcase was even heavier, as it was loaded with the new clothes and books of Christmas. Still, the only station without a platform would be Elkhart and I would be getting off, not on. So I did not concern myself with how I would get the suitcase onto the train. Unfortunately, the train in Albany was extremely long, and my entrance was off the platform area. I would have to somehow lift my suitcase onto the train. Hopefully the conductor might be willing to help me lift the bag. As I walked to the door, the man next to me struck up the typical train conversation - where are you going, where are you coming from, etc. He had grown up across the river from my hometown and had played my high school in track and football, about the same time of my father. We neared the door and I saw the slight conductor standing next to the door. The bag was surely heavier than he! My heart sunk and my muscles began to scream as they anticipated the strain about to come. I had already lifted the suitcase into an overhead on the train to Albany. I greatly doubted I would be able to lift it again up the five steep and narrow steps onto the train. Again, God provided. As I handed my ticket to the conductor, my new friend put his own bags down and motioned me onto the train. “I’ll lift your suitcase up to you. Go on. I’ll get it all the way up there.” My back screamed as I heaved myself, my instrument and backpack up the steep steps. I knew there was no way I could have lifted the suitcase, even with assistance.

These random acts of kindness uplift my spirit in a way nothing else could have. The kindness of two strangers rejuvenated me more than any Christmas present I could have received. In the midst of the commercialized Christmas rush, I often forgot how God provides. He sent his Son to provide us with salvation. He sent those strangers to remind me that he continues to provide, in his own way and his own time.

Beannachd leat.

Transition and Adjustment

Moving is always a big event for me it seems. Not just the packing, then unpacking but then also the adjustment to a new place. Finding the grocery store, the parking lot, that kitchen spoon you thought you packed...

I'm finally in MI and hoping to have some exciting pictures and information to post soon. Orientation to the Seminary started last week and Adjustment to Grand Rapids only a few days before. I went from a tiny town in western NY with 3 grocery stores to a big city in western MI with around 300 grocery stores. Maybe not quite, but it certainly feels that way at times. The eight miles I travel from my apartment to the seminary is 6 miles longer than the entire length of my little western NY town.

Adjustments.

I went from a section of NY that had few, if any Reformed churches within a hour radius to a section of MI that has more Reformed churches within that same hour radius that I could visit within a year.

Adjustments.

Its not culture shock, just culture adjustment. And as the seminary semester has not really started, I'm still in transition. One more week of orientation and then the schedule will settle out a bit.

And I'm actually not scared anymore! Look for pictures and more information about seminary life in coming posts.

Beannachd leat.

2009 Update

Mom's beautiful living room decorations

Its now a few weeks into 2009, and so far I'm pretty happy with this new year!  The days leading up to Christmas were, as usual, a whirlwind of rehearsals, arranging music, hugs, kisses, how've-you-beens and finally the Christmas Eve services.  As hectic and stressful as the holidays can be, I can't imagine not doing what we do.  I can't remember a Christmas Eve where my parents and I weren't involved in the services or running around, driving each other insane.  That is part of our tradition.  Christmas Day is to slow down and relax, watch the fire and spend all day opening presents.  And when I say all day, I mean all day.  Granted we didn't get started until about noon time with the stockings.  Staying out until 2 in the morning does not make anyone want to get up early, even with all the presents under our tree.  With phone calls from family and a prime rib dinner, the last present wasn't opened until quarter to ten.  That too, is part of our tradition.  As much as I love receiving gifts, I also love watching my parents' faces as they 

open the presents I've bought them.  Or the presents I know they've gotten for each other.  All part of our family tradition.

And so, Christmas came and went.  Katie Morag survived the Two Grandmothers, and did enjoy the time she spent with them.  As a present to them, and myself, my parents sent us to Mohonk for the day.  We had lunch and spent time enjoying the decorations around the house.  I love the views of the lake and all the little lounges with wood-burning fireplaces.  We stayed after lunch and had afternoon tea before returning home.  It was a lovely day for just us to spend together.

A few days later, my Aunt Judy flew into town to surprise her mother.  She stayed until New Years.  Mom, Grandma and I drove to the airport, not tell where we were going.  Grandma's face was priceless when the car door opened and there stood her youngest daughter.  We then drove to the city to visit a cousin who is a Jesuit priest and enjoyed lunch with him.  From there, we scooted across the river to Jersey and stopped at my grandfather's grave.  Also buried in that graveyard are his parents and grandparents.

Slight digression for a little family history.  My grandfather's grandfather was a man named Gustav Wasmer, who was born in June of 1855.  His mother, Maria married a man named Urban Baier in March of 1855.  For reasons unknown, Gustav took his mother's maiden name of Wasmer instead of her married name.  Urban and Maria went on to have six other children who took the Baier name.  This leads us to believe that Urban was not Gustav's real father.  This many years later, we don't know the circumstances that led up to these choices.  Maria's choice not to abort the baby or even abandon it after it was born.  Urban's choice to marry a woman who must have clearly been pregnant, and then their decision to give Gustav the surname Wasmer.  Yet those choices are why we are not Baier, or the Americanized Beyer, but rather Wasmer.

Sarah, an oboe friend from college, arrived the evening that my grandmothers left to partake in the New Years festivities.  I had a few other friends from high school over as well and we watched Cinematic Titanic's Santa Claus Conquers the Martians before watching the ball drop at midnight.  I have spent the past four or five New Years with the same group of friends and it is always enjoyable.  Sarah and I spent Friday in the city, visiting all the tourist spots - Times Square, Rockefeller Center, Lincoln Center, Central Park and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  We walked a lot, and had an excellent time.  The picture is taken from the top of Rockefeller Center looking towards the Empire State Building, all lit up for Christmas.

The next week was a bit more relaxed, as the house was finally empty.  Except for Mother who enjoyed another snow day.  I finally returned to Fredonia on Saturday, dodging around the winter storm and other bad weather.  The entire next week I practiced and organized and unpacked.  It snowed every single day and the temperature stayed in single digits, positive AND negative.  So I kept to the apartment as much as I could.  This picture is taken at one of the docks into Lake Erie.  I'm not sure if the entire lake is frozen yet, but considering that it keeps snowing, I don't think it is!

Yesterday I finished the last piece of my seminary application.  So now the waiting begins.  Thankfully, I have plenty to keep me busy with my recital hearing next week and the actual recital in February.

Speaking of my recital, I should go practice again.

Beannachd leat.

Thanksgiving Miles

Thanksgiving is a time for family, and remembering what you are thankful for. I also use it as a time to add over a 1,000 miles to my car! I enjoy traveling and seeing as many of my cousins as possible. This year, I was also able to help out a friend.

Heather, another oboist in my studio, has a brother, Tim, who attends a school outside of Chicago. He only gets Thursday and Friday off during the week of Thanksgiving. As their parents live in western PA, its not enough time for him to get home for the holiday. This is his freshman year and he was extremely homesick for his family, especially his sister. So Heather accompanied my on my Thanksgiving travels this year. This is a quick synopsis of our travels.

A few weeks before the break, Mom and Dad gave me an early Christmas gift - two new tires! They wanted me to get them before this long road trip, especially as we might hit bad weather. So on Saturday, Heather and I left for Erie, PA where the closest Firestone with the right tires was. There was a mall nearby, so we could do a little Christmas shopping while we waited. The drive from Fredonia to Erie ended up being the only time we hit bad weather, with whiteouts from the lake effect snow. Still, we made it safe and sound. After a few hours, we continued on to Kevin and Cindy's house in Clyde, OH. Kevin was in TX and Cindy had a bachelorette party, but I was able to spend some time with my cousin, Shane and his girlfriend. It was enjoyable to have some time with just them. The next morning we attended church with Cindy before taking off on the next leg of our journey.

We stopped in Fostoria and spotted a few trains, though not as many if it had been a weekday. I got to see two SOO engines while the rest where Norfolk Southerns. Heather was extremely patient and tolerated my child-like joy. I have not had nearly enough time this semester to go watch trains. From Fostoria, we drove onto Bowling Green, where Sarah, another oboist from our studio, now attends grad school. While in Clyde, Heather had noticed one of my front headlights was out, so we located an AutoZone in BG. After a quick dinner at Tim Horton's, we went to the store and got the light bulb. The sales clerk (tall, dark and handsome) was even nice enough to help me replace the bulb, as I had no idea what to do. He also recommended some wonderful grease which got ride of the annoying squawk in my driver's side door.

As the sun set, Heather and I continued on to my Aunt Judy's house outside Chicago. The plan had been for me to take Heather up to her brother college, then return to Judy's. He had arranged for her to sleep in the girl's dorm with a friend and attend a few classes with him. On Tuesday night, I would drive back and pick them both up. Tim's one class on Wednesday had been cancelled. Judy had the excellent idea of letting Heather take my car, as I did not need it, inside of me driving back and forth twice. I'm really not sure why I didn't think of that earlier. Heather has driven my car before, and on a highway, so I didn't mind letting her borrow the car. It saved me quite a bit of driving, and allowed me to spend Sunday evening watching a movie on cable with my cousin, Matt. It was so much fun, attempting to predict what would happen and laughing at how ridiculous our predictions were getting. I don't often get to spend time with just him, so it was such a treat.

When I had originally asked Judy if I might come and visit, she had warned me that she would be pretty busy, especially Monday, but I was more than welcome. I had answered back, feigning surprise she did not spend her days eating bon-bons in front of the television. It turned out wonderfully, as it gave me time to practice and study before her daughters got home from school. Tuesday, I went on her errand run with her, and had some time to visit one-on-one. We even went to the local Family Christian Bookstore. I got a few more Christmas presents and found a study guide for me as well. In devotions, I've been working my way through Job, and needed some assistance. I was excited to find the book, and while learning quite a bit, discovered that most of my own interpretation of the book has not been far off. Tuesday night, Heather and Tim drove back to Judy's. This would give us a better chance of leaving earlier on Wednesday morning.

I don't remember the last time I've had a sleepover with multiple people in the same room. It might have been during high school at one of our youth group lock ins. We stayed up past midnight watching Disney's Hercules with my cousin, Emily, while Heather straightened Tim's long and unruly hair. After the movie, they played ping-pong and Heather kept remarking that Tim just did not look like her brother. It really was amusing as they both kept making wild shots and laughing hysterically.

We finally went to bed and stayed up talking for quite a while. We were sleeping in the basement and there is no natural light down there. It was a textbook definition of pitch black. You could not see your hand in front of your face. I told them the story Matt had told earlier that day about his Sociology class. Another guy in his class bet him to a gallon-water-drinking race. Whoever finished drinking the gallon first won a dollar. They did not chug the gallon, as they were in class, and Matt said he finished in about 28 minutes. Heather commented that trying to chug that much water would probably make her sick and the only way to win a race like that would be to vomit immediately afterwards. We fell silent after that, and I started to drift off to sleep. Tim suddenly announced that the last comment of the night could not be about vomiting. He and Heather started quoting African proverbs, and again we fell silent. Again Tim's voice rang out in the darkness. "I see a light. Its a green blinking light and its freaking me out." He insisted on finding the source, especially after Heather jokingly warned him it might be another entrance to Narnia. Using a cell phone as a flashlight (because it was that bright in the darkness) we discovered it was just the high speed cable connection. Extremely anticlimactic, but hysterical all the same. We finally all drifted off to sleep.

The next morning we drove back to Ohio, this time to Heather and Tim's grandparents' house in Vermillion, where they would celebrate Thanksgiving with their family. From there, both Tim and Heather were able to get themselves back to school. After a day of driving, I was tired and spent the night sharing a queen size bed with Heather. Thursday morning, I returned to Kevin and Cindy's, where the food was overflowing. Kevin was deep-frying a turkey, and enough sides to feed a small army. We ate until we couldn't move.

I stayed in Clyde until Saturday, when I drove to a friend's house near my church. Rhonda is the church secretary and over the past two years of working together, she and I have become close friends. We stayed up late, eating Thanksgiving leftovers and watching a movie. Church on Sunday morning was a little chilly. Mayville had gotten around three feet of snow the past week, and sometime during that week, the furnace for the back rooms decided to quit working. Thankfully the sanctuary heater was still working, and the service was wonderful. My choir is growing, as one of the 6th graders asked if she was allowed to join. It is hard to tell who is more excited, her or I, and we had a lot of fun practicing for the upcoming weeks.

It is now Monday, and school has started up again. Two weeks of classes, finals week and then I will return to my parents' home. I refer to this time period as the Rat Race to Finals. It certainly feels that way. There are rehearsals for juries (music playing finals), last minute studying and paper-writing. Before I know it, I'll be on my way home for the holidays!

Beannachd leat.