Mom, Michelangelo, and My Trip

When I last posted, I was in Europe and my 85 year old mom was in the hospital.

I've now been home two weeks and my mom is working to regain her strength. She's sitting in her wheelchair near me as I type.

Many of you prayed for Mom (and me!) during these days. Thank you. They were felt and greatly appreciated. As I've contemplated all that's transpired - all that I've seen and experienced in Europe coupled with my mom going to the brink of death and back, one verse has come to mind.

Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?

                                                                                                                    (Romans 7:24 ESV)

Ok, let's just get it out there. This isn't the "happiest" of verses, and why, oh why would that verse come to mind while I was on a European vacation?

If you think about my mom, it's probably obvious. My mom has felt quite "trapped" in her body. She is tired - very tired, and has expressed a deep desire to "go home." Heaven home. But God still has plans for her.

But this verse also occurred to me in Florence, Italy. It was there that I saw the one piece of art out of all that I saw that I'm still thinking about - Michelangelo's David. It is inspiring and, I believe, inspired.

You simply cannot stop looking at it. The longer you look, the more amazed you are at the God who gave Michelangelo such a gift. Until that day in Florence, I didn't know that David is poised here, stone in hand, ready to fight Goliath. That fact added a whole new level of significance for me.

The walkway leading up to David is lined with The Prisoners, half finished sculpted beings that look as though they are trying to escape the slab of stone that imprisons them. We were listening to a free Rick Steves tour of this museum (highly recommend all things Rick) as we made our way toward David. Here's what he said about The Prisoners.


These unfinished figures seem to be fighting to free themselves from the stone. Michelangelo believed the sculptor was a tool of God, not creating but simply revealing the powerful and beautiful figures he put in the marble. Michelangelo’s job was to chip away the excess, to reveal. He needed to be in tune with God’s will, and whenever the spirit came upon him, Michelangelo worked in a frenzy, often for days on end without sleep.


I couldn't help by think that I too, am like The Prisoners, halfway there, waiting to be released, waiting for the ultimate freedom, the ultimate life that will come once I am delivered from my "stone" - my earthly life.

Don't get me wrong. I like my earthly life.  But if I believe what the Bible teaches (and I do), then this earthly life pales in comparison to what's coming! Just like The Prisoners (amazing in their own right) paled in comparison to David!

Thank you God and thank you Michelangelo! Joy here and joy there. That's hopeful on every level.

And now, to finish this post, I'll close with a few pictures from my trip. And it was a great trip.

One more look at David

The spot in St. Peters where Charlemagne was crowned Holy Roman Emperor.
Mary Grace and I studied this at Classical Conversations

The world under the Colosseum floor where animals and gladiators waited to enter the arena

Listening to Rick Steves tell us about the Coloseum

Statue of St. Peter in St Peter's. His toe is rubbed smooth from people touching it.
I touched it.

Rick Steves told us that if the light was on in that 2nd window on the top floor, the Pope was in his study.
I really liked imagining him in there studying.

Michelangelo's grave in Florence

Touching the Duomo in Florence

I loved the pedestrian/bike crossing sign we saw in Salzburg

These silhouettes caught my eye in Munich

Dachau Concentration Camp

Yes. Never again

We were always glad to find wifi

We had one of those corner rooms. So picturesque.

Clever cleaner names at a store in Lucerne

Ended our trip in the beautiful city of Lucerne, Switzerland

Italy 2012 - #1

It’s been 28 years since I’ve travelled outside the U.S. As I type, I’m on an Iberia A -321 airplane heading to Rome. It is 12:35 p.m. here, which means it’s 6:35 a.m. back in Bolivar.  Our trip started in Springfield where we experienced about an hour and a half on the tarmac before being cleared to take off for Chicago where they were experiencing bad weather. We said more than once yesterday, “Thank ya, Mona,” (referring to our travel agent Mona Coleman) for allowing a nice cushion of time in Chicago. We weren’t one of the people on that delayed flight we heard frantically talking on their cell phones as they rebooked themselves on different flights.

Once in Chicago, we enjoyed the last little bit of unlimited internet service we’ll have for the next two weeks. I’m not sad about the trade - seeing some of the sights of Europe verses unlimited internet is a definite win. It’s just going to be a change. 

Then, off to Madrid. We took Kerrick, seasoned traveller, Tweedy’s advice and immediately put ourselves on Rome time. It as 11:45 pm, then. So, as hard as it was for me because a dinner was about to be offered, I took my Lunesta, arranged pillow and blanket and tried to sleep. It felt a bit fitful to me, but Lou said I looked like I was out of it - code for - mouth slightly open. (He loves me anyway). He actually had to wake me up because breakfast was being served, so I guess I did sleep better than I thought. 

Two events highlight our brief time in Madrid’s airport. First, I got my passport stamped! I’m a bit like Sandra Bullock’s character in “While You Were Sleeping” in that, I really, really love to get my passport stamped. Second, we had a really good cup of Espresso. And I felt very European drinking it, cute little cup and all. 

Lou is looking through a DK book on Rome next to me. He has been the man with the plan. I feel like I have my own personal tour guide. I can honestly say that I love my tour guide. 

I also find myself really looking at people - as they board the plane, as they sit in the airport, or as they pass us walking in the airport. They all have a story to tell.  

It also feels very a-God. Not anti-God. Just very much like he is non-existent. Like no one’s even thinking about him at all. Like he doesn’t figure into any equation anywhere. I don’t know what I expect, really. You have all these transient people shuffling through buildings en route to some place else. It’s not like relationships are being built. It may be just a time and a place issue. Or, I’m tired. But I don’t love that feel. 

We are an hour from touch down in the Eternal City.

To say I feel grateful for the chance to take this kind of trip is an understatement. Praying that God is glorified in all we do!

Posting this just as we get to our hotel, before an evening walking about. Here's a few pics that are essentially pre - real trip :)

Nothing to check

Outlets few and far between in Chicago

Hannah took a passport pic, so we did too

Our view en route to Madrid

The heavens declare the glory of God

Sweet architecture in Madrid's airport

Got it stamped!