And who knows but that you have come [here] for such a time as this?

One thing I really love about this country, and more specifically, the town of Kingston upon Thames, is that, when the weather is nice, you can randomly decide to stop by a pub or cafe on the river and have a drink with some friends.

There is something remarkable in this simple concept to me. Perhaps it is that I always feel at home when I am close to water, because I grew up in a city that is surrounded by it and built around it. Or perhaps it is that, for a change, I actually have the time to sit down for an hour on a whim. It is freeing, my friends: breathing in the air from the ancient River Thames, drinking Coca Cola from a glass bottle, laughing with friends I have known for a week but feel as though I've known my whole life. Between the six of us, there are three countries, three continents, three cultures, two languages, and an infinite number of life experiences represented.

I think, while observing the once again stunning London sky, "This is why I am here. This is why I knew, when I first met Europe, that we would meet again. This is what I came for." I feel nearly complete in this foreign land. This is a sensation  of which I cannot make sense, except to say that I think I left a piece of my heart here years ago, and I am being allowed to borrow it, to glimpse it again, during my stay.

I belong here. Like fish and chips belong together, so do I belong in Europe. Perhaps not forever, but for right now. For this moment, I am right where I am supposed to be. And I am so glad that I listened to Someone other than myself when I made the decision to come here.

I just watched the film The Young Victoria, which was excellent. Now I think I am going to go read the book of Esther, which is the story of another incredible Queen.

Love,
lvp