Day Three: I Travel, Time Passes, Time Collapses

I told myself last night that I could sleep a little longer, be organized and move a little slower.  I did set my alarm and I followed my mental schedule.  Everything got organized and when I checked out of the hotel I realized that I was shaving it pretty close if I was going to make the first train in my procession of trains today.  Bus 15 showed up just on time.  I arrived at Sloterdijk Station with three minutes to spare.  I found the correct platform and boarded a train for Schiphol Airport train station.  Less than ten minutes after that I was on a train bound for Breda.  In 1992 I lunched in Breda during my first trip to Europe with two priest-friends.  Just as quickly as at Schiphol I crossed the platform and boarded the next train for Brussels.  In Brussels I had over an hour to board my next train. 

The train in Brussels was the Thalys high speed train.  In about 75 minutes it made the trip to Gare du Nord in Paris.  I have come to Paris to meet another of my natural siblings.  I had met two sisters and a brother.  Today I met another sister, born in the same year as the sister I grew up with.  It is now one in the morning and the gab continued today right up to 12:30am. 

In the coming days I am sure I will have much more to say.  For now I want to savour the gift.  She has a remarkable husband and two inquisitive and caring children.  For a celibate uncle more nephews and nieces are a great thing, to say nothing of more siblings!

I will be off to concelebrate Mass tomorrow at the parish where my sister usually sings.  Tomorrow is the great feast of Pentecost, and these new beginnings for me have certainly been a work of the Spirit.  And living faithfully these new relationships with my siblings will blossom best if I am open.