There And Back Again

And bust it was,, our trip to Ny has been cancelled, due to money and other family obligations on my sister and brothers part, Thats too bad too, I’ve never been to NY and I was looking forward to it. I stilled tried to push mom and dad into going with just the 3 of us, but they werent having that,,I guess I’m not good enough. But Dad promised to treat me to Vegas instead, so Celine i’m on my way,,!!!! I love her, and want to see her show before she moves on,, stay tuned for details to that trip,.,,, Namarie Max

ps I’ve been real sick with a bad mouth infection all week, so maybe this is for the best,,.

Plans for France and Paris are in full swing. All reservations have been made. $ days will be spent in Paris. We are trying to nail an itinerary down, so that we can optimize our time. So far, it looks like Eiffel tower, napoleons tomb, nap, seine river night time river cruise for our First day. Then second day, Notre Dame, St Chappelle and the louvre and surrounding area. Too many churches and places to name here, yet. Third day Arc de Triomphe and Champs Elysees and Sacred Coeur in Montmartre. Our fourth and last day is our day trip to Versaille. { I actually watched Marie Antoinette-to see this chateau, terrible movie!}. Then we move on to Mount St Michel, which should be the highlight of the Trip, its an old abbey constructed out in the water. Very cool. From there we are staying 2 nights in a castle. The Chateau de Noizay. A real French Castle !!! Now thats Cool!!! And then our last day is still undecided, we want to play it by ear, either stay another night in the chateau or go back to Paris and see whatever we missed. Our itinerary is much more detailed then written out here. There are about 10 more churches that have history older Than The US! I want to see them all. Tuesday the 10 April, Sue and I have our first French class,, we want to learn as much of the language as we can. I am using this oppurtunity to really motivate myself to learning French, I’ve always to. So who knows. Farewell Max

I miss it. I left my heart there. I haven’t been the same, since returning. Something has changed. I’m becoming haunted by my memories.I still think about it every day. And my desire to return is just as strong today as it was, my first day home. I think it was like lightning in a bottle. I now know what that truely means. Every element, every aspect was exactly how I dreamed it would be. You know, I haven’t watched the movie once, since the return. I normally watched one of the three films religously at least once a week before then, or listened to the music to and from work in my car. But no more. It’s almost like, I’m afraid to face it. The Trip is over! And My life has changed. There is a scene at the end of ROTK, where the hobbits are having a pint at the Green Dragon, everyone around them is, dancing and singing, and making merry and the hobbits look at each other, and know that life for them has changed. The Twins and I re-anacted that scene, when we got home! Life imitating Art!! I think I know why my life is different, and I’ll share my thoughts.

 THE. TOUR. WAS. PERFECT. Finally I was with a group of people of all ages, who loved and were obsessed with LOTR, like me. I could be myself and not stand out, like I normally do. People from all over the World joined with me on a quest and an adventure that changed our lives forever.Different people from all walks of life, all ages, and different countries. Coming together to enjoy a common bond.  Unknown to us,and especially to me,  our journey echoed in some small ways, the journey the fellowship took. We had adventures climbing, snowy mountains, crossing freezing streams, meeting great characters along the way.  Funny thing is, all of us mirrored that Fellowship too. We met Tom Bombadil and Goldberry. We had our own Aragorn and Borimir. Faramir and Eowyn traveled with us. Also Two Hobbits on a quest and of course, Gandalf was there guiding them. We were very far from home, but we had worked so hard to get there and to accomplish this task was monumental and very rewarding.

Also My Boys were with me.  At a time were they still thought I was the coolest person in the whole wide world. I so wanted them to be proud of me. And to learn that no goal or dream is out of reach. Sometimes I would look into their eyes and see a gleam or a smile would break on their faces and I knew, This was everything! And everything was worth it. They are everything to me! 

I know every journey has a profound effect on the people making it. This one did! And someday I will go back. I so much want to see the lakes, and streams and mountains of Middle Earth again.   And someday we will.. Namarie Max