Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Minnesota trip #3- Deac Reunion

On Friday, June 20th, Jim and the kids left for northern MN and I (Marilyn) stayed behind to attend my 35th nurses' class reunion. (Lutheran Deaconess School of Nursing) That evening I was able to spend time with my two best friends from class: Margie and Margarethe. After a fun supper, "the three M's" visited for several hours in a quieter place in the Mall of America. The conversation was so great that none of us were even tempted to shop! It was wonderful to catch up on each other's lives and spend that time alone before we met our other classmates the next morning. "Blessings on your heads, dear friends!"On Saturday morning, about a third of our classmates gathered at Sandy's (far left) house
(view from the deck behind her house)
There were many hugs
and lots of catching up on the past five years...
looking at our graduation pictures...
...and remembering "back when"
We sang our class song...
"We rest on Thee, our Shield and our Defender.
We go not forth alone against the foe.
Strong in Thy strength, safe in Thy keeping tender,
We rest on Thee, and in Thy name we go."
I am so happy that I was able to attend a nursing school where the Word of God was central to all of our work and learning. Our instructors began class with prayer; each morning we worked in the hospital, we would have a short devotional in the chapel and then walk as a group to the different floors where we would sing a couple of hymns for the patients who were hospitalized. We were taught not only to marvel at the beauty and intricacies of the human body that God had created, but also to regard and respect each one of our patients as a unique and precious creation of the Lord. We are so blessed! Several classmates could not come to the reunion, but they sent greetings and updates
And of course, there was plenty of food!
We enjoyed the beautiful summer day on Sandy's back patio...
and continued to share our lives and memories with each other.
Unfortunately, the hours went by far too quickly for me, and soon I had to leave with my friend Joanie for another reunion celebration further north!
So, a last good-by to Margarethe...
...a stop by Joanie's son's house so she could hug her sweet grand-daughter one more time...
And then we were on the road for the next events of the weekend!
Joanie and I enjoyed a wonderful 3-hour visit while we drove. It was so good to re-connect again and we enjoyed sharing the joys and sorrows of our lives over the past 2 years since we were last together. How we thank God for wonderful friends!

2 comments:

doug&margarethe said...

Wasn't it a great reunion?! It's such fun to get reacquainted with our classmates every 5 years. I am so thankful you were able to attend. I always enjoy our times together...anytime. Thank you for your friendship and for being my sister-in-law besides! "Blessings on your head!"

Leingang Family said...

What a cool thing and a blessing that you get to have every 5 years for a lifetime!There is nothing like friends.