A wonderful way to end my stay

One thing I haven't yet addressed in this blog, at least not overtly, is my friendship with Kathryn, Helen and Kaitlin.  From the beginning, they have extended themselves to make sure both Jim and I felt welcome.   When we first arrived in Worcester after riding in a bus all the livelong day from Eastern Scotland, Helen was there to collect us at the bus stop.  Not only that, she took us back to the flat she shares with Kathryn and Kaitlin and made us a delicious dinner of scrambled eggs and toast.  I never told her, but as we sat uncomfortably on that bus, I had fantasized about this exact scenario.  When we returned to our flat, there was a bouquet of flowers, a bottle of wine and coffee for the next morning.  It just couldn't have been nicer.

The very next day, we met Helen, Kathryn and Kaitlin for traditional breakfast at the local pub, and then Helen and Kaitlin collected us to go to Stratford to see "A Midsummer Night's Dream."  It was a terrific first day. 

Over the term, Kathryn and Helen have invited me for dinner just about every week and included me in other activities as well. I had become a part of the family. 

Kathryn invited me to join the Volcano Choir, which we walked to and from on quite a few Thursday evenings.  Kathryn joined my class, and we decided to make an evening of it most weeks by having dinner as well.  We've shared stories and concerns and a love of singing.

Kathryn and Helen asked me to spend time with Kaitlin every week.  The original plan was for me to read with her, but she seemed more interested in cooking, so that's what we did. 

Over Reading Week, we met up in London and did typical touristy things, most notably our tour of the Harry Potter Studios.  It was also really special to share election day and the following day's election news.  Going to the embassy was really meaningful for us all.

Tonight, Kathryn and Helen treated me to dinner at Carluccio's

and the Cathedral Christmas Carol service. 

It was a beautiful way to spend my last evening here and I'm so appreciative of their generosity.

Yet again, I feel so blessed to have such wonderful friends.