ANGELS LOUNGE DIARY – A MOMENT IN TIME…

Hi Marcel, my name is Jean, Faith’s friend. She gave me your number. Great to meet you here and I hope we get to know each other more!

Hello dear Jean, Faith told me about her plan! Great to meet you too and welcome to the FAITH LOUNGE, at least a save place to meet in these times! To be honest (lies often begin with these words) Faith already convinced me with her joy and enthusiasm for her idea of connecting us for several years! Well how shall we get to know each other? By taking turns in asking each other questions. Ladies first, if you may!

I like the FAITH LOUNGE, Marcel. You must be very humorous. I see you’re already making it a safe place to meet. I surely know Faiths excitement and enthusiasm! Am sure there are great things to know about you, I can’t wait! Questions: 1. What do you do? 2. What things do you like to do for fun? I think this is a good place to start.

Do you know a better way to celebrate life than with love and humor, dear Jean? In times of limits and restrictions, at least the mind remains limitless. Really a good and save place to be at the moment, but what am I gonna do?! Give up my job, sell my house or even climb to the top of the world?! You’ll find out pretty soon. Thank you very much for giving me a little more time. To be honest, I do have to sell my house right now.

Love and humor, dear Marcel, that’s the best way to go for life! You’re gonna leave your job, sell your house and climb mountains! Sounds like you’re set out for much fun and exciting things very soon. I can’t wait to find out more. I’ve always dreamed of traveling the world but yes, it requires a lot of money. Do you have kids? How is your family like?

In fact, dear Jean, I really just had an appointment to sell my house and I’ll also quit my job at the end of the year, but I‘ve no ambitions to climb Mount Everest. Kilimanjaro was enough for me and even if I like to get high sometimes, I don’t have to go any higher! Currently, I’m planning to learn Spanish in Costa Rica and to buy a mobile home to travel with and live in as long as I‘m happy.

That already answers your second question, because in my future I’ll enjoy the privilege of only doing things that give me pleasure, such as traveling, hiking, getting to know new cultures and above all, spending a lot of my time by the sea. Before I answer your further questions or begin to ask you some of them myself, I suggest that you answer your own questions first. That adds tension and excitement into our game, what do you think?

Oh, I was getting excited asking you more questions, dear Marcel. Wow, you surely have an adventurous life ahead of you. Well, I work in a church in Rwanda. I work full time with children. I have both Ugandan and Rwandan nationalities. When you come to East Africa again someday, you’ll enjoy the beautiful culture here. Some of my family lives in Uganda and my 3 brothers in South Africa. Am not married and I’ve no children yet, but hope to get them someday.

By the way, dear Jean, there‘s no time to hurry, I‘ll get back to you soon, I‘m gonna work today.

Sure, whenever you find time, Marcel. Enjoy your work. I‘m also up and about trying to finish some stuff, so I can be home before 10pm. Due to Covid, here in Rwanda we still have curfew which starts at 10pm. It must have been thrilling to be on top of the world in Africa. But there’s a lot of nice moments to be enjoyed through the ordinary things also. Especially when you have the right people around, who enjoy them with you.

So you’ve always dreamed of traveling, dear Jean. Maybe I can serve you to travel in your spirit, your imagination, let‘s try it later on. But actually, you asked for the story of my life, which leads us straight to a big dream: Traveling through time, back to the sixties, straight to the Woodstock Festival, back to flower power, love, peace and happiness. That means, I play this ball to you with above mentioned question: What is your greatest dream, what do you believe in? My only question for tonight, promise. Oki dokie and welcome to the story of my life:

In 1989, when I was 24 years old, my girlfriend and I packed our bags and traveled around the world for about a year. Southeast Asia, Bali, Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, USA, Caribbean Islands. We even got married in Las Vegas, in the „world famous chapel of the bells“, what a good year! One of my favorite hobbies in the eighties: Watch the world from behind the lens, capture magical moments, create moving pictures in VHSc-Quality, with video cassettes! Wether it was a good idea to get married in Las Vegas and how this alliance for life has developed, I’d have been written to you tonight, but your longing and desire to travel changed my mind.

Well, in 1989, I cut the highlights of my round the world trip movie into a short of a few minutes. Now, I proudly present these recordings for your eyes only and also for your family, friends and specially your kids at church for the first time on the African continent! By the way: Writing is also one of my all time hobbies, but enough written for now, today is not every day. That means, sometimes, you’ll have to be patient, I only write when the muse kisses me and hope, my stories may justify your anticipation. Finally, first story, last order, dear Jean. Let’s dive into the world through my eyes with the use of your imagination. Hasta la vista, I‘ll be back.

Wow!! Great tour down „memoryLane“, dear Marcel. I can feel that your world was still young and you clearly enjoyed it. Thanks for showing me around back in the days. Yes I love traveling, though I haven’t traveled much. So I keep dreaming on and now you’re inspiring me. It must have been fun getting married while on your around the world trip. So many stories to tell. If I may ask; what happened to your wife? Do you have children? My greatest dream? For real, I’ve dreamed of traveling the world with someone I love and care about. With time it hasn’t happened yet. Especially when I came to Rwanda, the dream went on hold. Now you‘re here, reviving it again. Have a good night. Talk again tomorrow.

Good evening and welcome to the late night paper, dear Jean. Between 1988 and 2008, I coached a local group of gymnasts. In all these years, more than 300 girls and boys between 10 and 16 years of age. Back then we did some real crazy exercises! But what happened to Las Vegas?! First of all, it was a great idea to get married there! At least that’s what my daughter Sophie and my son Yannick would say. With good reason, since they both graduated two years ago and have moved into their own apartments in the meantime. Sophie works for a radio and television station and Yannick as an IT-Coach.

Our children have grown up in my household, since my ex wife and I separated in 1997. The hoped-for family happiness has not come true. Under the motto: „If not with each other, then at least next to, but definitely not against“, we supported each other best possible and went our way as a somewhat unusual family with a lot of humor and the respect that, in my opinion, everybody should show each other as parents of common children anyway. And so we still occasionally meet for dinner or climb the top of a mountain, naturally as a family, what else?!

First of all, you seem to have a wonderful family, dear Marcel. It must have been tough raising kids as a single father. I figured you did gymnastics. Do you still do? Monday is my day off. So I slept in and woke up late. Friends of mine, who are a young couple newly married, lost their baby, so I went to visit them.

Yesterday was a very good day, dear Jean, I sold my house! I‘ll be happy to answer your questions, but first I‘d like to ask you my last question again: What do you believe in, dear Jean? I didn’t relate this question to looking for and being found in a relationship, but much more to religion, your beliefs, your convictions..! I’m just a curious guy and wish you a sunny day.

To your last question, dear Marcel: Am a born again christian who believes that God the father, son and holy spirit are one! Anyway, am a Christian and I work at church full time. I’d mentioned this before. I head the children’s ministry, which has about 600 kids who come every week. The name of the church is Christian Life Assembly in Rwanda. Congrats upon selling your house! Why did you sell it? I hope it’s a good deal. I can see you‘re already set to trot the globe.

A very good deal for me as well as for the new owner, dear Jean. It’s easier to break new ground, when you let go of the existing. My kids and I enjoyed the privilege of living in this beautiful home for more than twenty years. Now a young family with three little girls can breathe life back into this unique home. The income from the sale forms one of the foundations for me to start a new stage of life in my mid-fifties, in which, if God wants, I‘ll still have enough time to travel around the world and only have to work if I want to, but not anymore because I have to. And in this sense, I’ll continue to try to treat my fellows as I’d like to be treated by them, which in turn would have been a perfect introduction to the subject of what I believe! But time is running out, religion can and will be patient for one more day, while I wish you sweet dreams.

Am sure that there are great memories associated with your home, dear Marcel. Yes there’s always a time to restart and break new ground indeed. When the travel time comes, you’ll be enjoying the fruits of your hard work. Alrightie, you’ll tell me what you believe in tomorrow. Have a good night my dear.

Today, as often in autumn, we enjoy postcard weather in our valley, dear Jean. Fog all around, just in Aegeri, the sun is shining. This blessing made me choose to take today’s afternoon off. So I rode my e-bike around the valley. That’s how it came about to this postcard panorama. You may already have noticed dear Jean, that there’s a cross on my photo. I just like this subject very much and now, it forms the perfect transition to what I believe in, believe it or not. I love love, harmony and peace, tolerance and generosity, live and let live. I grew up in a parish church in my teenage years. My mom was working as a cashier for the local Roman Catholic parish at the time. That means, as a teenager I lived in the same house with the priest, well…

As a result of my attitude towards life, some attributes you just have read, I could never believe, that one religion is the only or the only true one. The religions offer their followers hope, consolation, love, cohesion, accompany when dying, care for the suffering and celebrate with the happy, ideally with everyone. What you believe in seems not the most important thing in my eyes, especially if you’re committed to such honorable purposes.

Downsides such as more or less holy wars, terror, abuse or greed for power accompany almost all religions. Good advice is expensive. As you know, at least I try to treat my fellows as I‘d like to be treated. A few weeks before her death, I asked my grandma what she would expect now. She smiled and said: „After I die, I‘ll live in paradise as long as someone on earth thinks of me“. It‘s 30 years ago today, but I still wonder that my grandma had such a clear idea of ​​the beyond. I’m miles away from understanding, I‘ve no idea, but I often think of grandma!

Yes you guys are blessed with beautiful weather and scenarios, dear Marcel. I‘d like to visit Switzerland one day. Some people put crosses and they are not christians. Am glad you like the subject of christianity. I enjoy it too. I hope we shall have interesting chats about this subject. What’s the name of your church? What do you enjoy about being a Christian?

I’ll be happy to answer this question, dear Jean and I’m already looking forward to what you like about being a Christian, but now I’m going hiking again with my best friend and tomorrow, duty calls, time to get back to work. But duty is followed by choice, because after work is done, we toast my house sale at my place! Well, we’re not celebrating the party of the year, Covid sends it’s regards. So I enjoy this special evening in best company of my kids, mum, my younger sister and her daughter, accompanied by her husband. My best friend will join us later.

By the way, my sisters son lives about 150 kilometers away, that‘s why he won‘t be with us. I’ve seen so many things with him, especially since he is blind from birth. I’m his godfather, we visit open air rock concerts or march through the valley with music in our ears. Bob Marley is his kind of religion. We also swim in the lake, travel on city trips and once, we even went walking on snowshoes. Nothing’s impossible, at least until you’ve tried, let‘s get together and feel alright. Now I‘ve casually answered some of your questions about my family, dear Jean. Religion may once more exercise patience, to be continued probably during the weekend. First of all, I’ll practice being a good host.

You’re a family man and godfather to children! That’s great to know, I‘ll join your party in my spirit, am I invited, dear Marcel? It’s interesting to hear what you‘re able to accomplish with your godchild. There’s indeed lots of things one can enjoy even when they’re blind. We just have to try them out. Today I came to church to do a little work, but I do most of it online at home, since children aren’t allowed to come to church yet because of Covid. We celebrate our children’s services online every Sunday.

Almost anything is possible with a sense of imagination and good will, dear Jean. My godson and I even play pool billiards regularly.

Great! I used to enjoy playing it, dear Marcel. I haven’t played billiards for a long time now. I‘m sure your godchild loves to spend time with you. You’ve lots of things to enjoy together. By the way, we joke a lot about the African weather. We shall say it’s either raining or shining – that’s it. When the rain comes out, we also pull our jackets out. It’s usually between 23 and 25 degrees day time, evenings are cold, usually between 15 and 18 degrees. That’s very cold for us. You have a youthful spirit and you sound humorous, I bet your kids enjoy you a lot.

Thank you very much for your introduction to African weather, dear Jean. The climate seems to be simple. Do you fancy a more complex topic? Why did Faith introduce the two of us? Take your time, I have an idea and I’m looking forward to your opinion.

Interesting question, dear Marcel. I‘m single and Faith always wanted to connect me with her single friends in Switzerland. She thinks you’re a great guy. Faith used to talk about you and your plan to come for a visit in Rwanda. She thought we would meet then, become friends and see where God leads the rest of the friendship journey. So what’s your idea?

Honest, open and highly interesting – I like your answer very much, dear Jean! In my opinion, Faith consciously or unconsciously has the following intention: But since I’m working today, your patience will be required again. Don’t worry, at least I leave you the choice which question I‘m allowed to answer first: What I enjoy about being a Christian or my opinion about Faiths intentions, it‘s up to you!

Am patiently waiting for both answers, dear Marcel, but first things first: What you enjoy about the christian journey?!

Faith & faith 2 in 1, welcome to FAITH’S MYSTERY LOUNGE!  The intro is due to the secret founder of our appreciated lounge:

Dear Faith

So you told Jean about my travel plans to the African continent?! If I remember correctly, I started making these plans a few moments after you recommended me with a lot of passion to visit Uganda and Rwanda one fine day. Thank you very much indeed!

Dear Jean

I’m happy to transfer you the copyright of this WhatsApp. That means, you don’t have to forward it to Faith but you can, if you feel like! That‘s the nice thing about it and part of my religion. And now, let‘s talk about the christian journey, as amazingly you describe it. The church offers my mom the opportunity to maintain social contacts with more or less like-minded people. In addition, my mom also care for some graves. During this activity, she enjoys this peaceful tranquility, breathing fresh air.

Now let’s open our minds and talk about my imaginations of faith and Faith, which just are about to meet in spirit. My heart is bigger than my brain and I’m proud of that. My faith comes from my heart. Now we switch to the possibility form and assume, that Faith introduced us in the noble hope, that at best, she couldn’t only make your dream come true?! Cause just in case, if I’d invite you on a, let’s say rather christian trip to my country, do I have to be a prophet to predict, that if Faith and Jean would meet in Switzerland, two more heartfelt wishes would come true?

Let’s dream on for a little while please, the heart knows no expectations anyway, the heart prefers to beat and sometimes even to jump. Be it as it may, even if I would and even if I could, which I wouldn’t rule out either, but certain things simply can’t be influenced. This fact brings us back to mystery time on the couch in FAITH‘S LOUNGE. There’s only one possibility that would allow me to present to you, dear Jean, not really the whole world in your hands, but certainly the beautiful valley of Aegeri as well as a part of Europe from my point of view on our journey together in a mobile home. Last but not least as a whipped cream, Faith in your arms, that’s what I call faith.

Just one possibility, really? Now it’s up to you dear Jean: So what would have to happen that I could allow myself to invite you to Switzerland, according to the rules of heart, of course? Let’s play for a ticket to ride! You’ve just one try, that for with a little help from a friend: Free will is inviolable, so don’t look too far, because why wander away when the simple waits pretty close! If solving my riddle gives you as much pleasure as I had with writing the last few lines – sometimes all you need is FAITH, isn‘t it?!

Hello dear Marcel, right now am still up and about. When I settle down later, I’ll respond! I’ve not abandoned you and hope you had a wonderful Sunday. Did you go to church? I had to work today because I work in church. And right now, am buried in books. I’ve school deadlines tonight and a lot to read. Now it’s time for me to require your patience.

Would you like to have me solved the riddle first, dear Jean and then you gonna tell me honestly, whether you’ve been on the right track or knew it at first sight?! Would that be satisfying for you?

You must love riddles a lot, dear Marcel. I’ve realized that when you write, I sometimes have to think between the lines. How are you doing today? As usual I wake up late in Mondays because that’s my day off. In a short while, I’ll go out and maybe to our church gardens to have some quiet time. I had to read your riddle like 3 times! You mention that your faith comes from your heart. Please elaborate more about it for me to understand better. Well, just so you know, I love teaching especially about the bible and the christian walk. I teach children and it’s always fun. I always ask them to explain the things they say, because they usually have interesting imaginations. So please don’t mind me asking for you to elaborate.

Back to Faith & faith 2 in 1 or FAITH LOUNGE, as you’ve dearly named it. So let’s get comfortable and chat away: I would loooovvvveee to come visit while you’re still in Switzerland. Am sure I’ll have the greatest fun of the season being around you as fun loving as you are. I’d definitely love to be toured around by you in that beautiful Aegeri valley! By the way, I think you’re the kind who brings moments of laughter around people. It sounds that way in all you write to me. Definitely Faith and Jean would be so happy to meet again after a long time, we can plan on it!

Congratulations on solving my riddle as I suspected, dear Jean. My answers to your further questions are welcome to be patient, because now I don’t want to keep you tortured anymore: Only you, dear Jean, could be able to make your dream of journeying come true, by accepting faithfully my cordial invitation, presented by heart and last but not least, respecting me as your local tour guide. In this sense, the one and only solution to my riddle is you, dear Jean.

You don’t have to live your dream of embracing Faith and family, discovering some attractions, new cultures and landscapes, crowded by all kinds of people, hosted by mother Earth, our blessed blue planet. But you may, if you feel like, guided and fully invited by a more or less local companion – hello, it‘s me! Hello from the other side, maybe one of the most amazing turns in your mentioned dream. Whatever your decision may be, dear Jean, it’s your free will, which is finally considered untouchable in all respects! Well, what would you mean, Jean?!

But why on earth?! With your visit, I’d like to see Faith also happy and thank her very much for her always friendly smile and open ear. For two decades I’ve coached artistic gymnasts and conveyed them my values, which leads me to Jean again: You teach about 600 students and convey your values, which have grown from life experience. I’d like to present you, dear Jean, another experience you can pass on to your children at school. You may share with your whole circle, that dreams can come true with a lot of courage (starting our chat) and a pinch of fortunate coincidence, but it’s possible, as a matter of Jean! Hope and FAITH can move mountains, meanwhile my heart smiles, what more could I ask of life?! Already feel my religion?

Hello my local Swiss companion! I accept your cordial and hearty invitation with excitement and am looking forward to the guided tour. Of course, Faith will be very happy and she will definitely be very thankful! About your values, I’m sure there’s a lot to talk about. I’ll find out in person when we meet. Actually what I teach those little kids are values, I whole heartedly believe in and above all they’re values written in the bible. Not as I want, but as the bible says.

Hello, dear Jean, it’s me again and I‘m also looking forward! First of all, I’d like to give you a frame. As a picture, I draw your journey to Europe, which I could imagine as follows: Period of our trip: July & August. Duration of the trip: If possible 30 days, but much better two months.

Money, money, money and welcome to Jeans travel wallet: Your own money mainly serves for your independence, but it can also be used for whatever like souvenirs, shopping trips or maybe you could even invite me to dinner one fine day. Always happy that you like the thought of taking me out for dinner, but let’s talk about money now: Your travel found will be 300 swiss francs per week of stay. Loss of salary due to unpaid vacation from work is already included in this budget. I wrote fully invited and I meant fully invited. Last but not least, of course it’s up to you, how much time you may spend with Faith and family. Now you’ve got some brain food while I‘ll take it easy.

Oh my God, what can I say dear Marcel? That’s very generous of you for the full invitation. This season has indeed been very hard due to the salary cuts as a result of Covid. I definitely would want to surprise you to dinner! July and August will be great months for sure. Touring with you on my birthday will definitely be muuuuucch fun! I’ll visit Faith for 2 weeks though she always says she wants me to stay, then we may tour around for at least a month or a month and a half. I’ll dream on until it comes to pass. Need to start in school assignments. By the way, I din’t tell you before, I’m currently doing a master’s course online (master in ministry) in theology. I’ll graduate soon from Lancaster bible College in the USA. Then I look forward to my bed. How are you doing today, dear Marcel?

Earlier in the morning dear Jean, I left Faith a little thank you for the FAITH LOUNGE in her mailbox. The rest of the day, I’ll spend at work. In the meantime, you may be familiar with the manic features of my heart. To keep the balance, now I enjoy to relax for quite a while in our lounge without further action. Guided by heart, escorted by mind! Don‘t worry, I‘ll be back with a smile. It doesn’t prevent a war, but it brings a little peace into our world!

A good evening for the following challenge, dear Jean: To discover Europe, you‘re welcome to choose travel destinations such as Rome, Venice, Paris, Nice, Vienna, London, Barcelona, Florence, Athens, Amsterdam, Stockholm, Sicily or Elba. On occasion and for pleasure, you‘re welcome to generate your journey wishes through Europe. Please tell me one destination per travel week. That means up to you four to six places, you definitely would like to visit. This procedure allows me, to plan our travel route according to your preferences and wishes. Also consider the beautiful coasts, sandy beaches and the unique sea with its infinite horizon.

Sweet, dear Marcel, let me look through the cities that am able to travel to with the Schengen visa. I‘d like to go scuba diving and swim with dolphins – haha do you have dolphins in Europe. I’ll check.

Our possibilities may not be as unlimited as the horizon of my beloved sea, dear Jean, but you  already discover them and that’s the nice thing about it. And now, my time for „last order“ has come. With two smiling eyes, because selling a house opens up unimagined possibilities and finally, I feel close to you while decorating my house with Christmas lights right now for the very last time. And so I may close the book for today. Bon nuit, madame ministère.

Enjoy the deco, dear Marcel. I love the Christmas deco and the music! Unfortunately living in Rwanda has slowly moved me away from it. There’s no Christmas hype in this country. Wish I were there, decorating with you! I can imagine it looks so beautiful with the Christmas deco on the outside. Can’t wait to see how it will look like!

My life has shared a lot of happiness with me and so do I love to share, dear Jean, particularly because shared happiness means doubled happiness. Lately, I’m allowed to share a whole lot and then came Jean, right moment, right place, coincidence or destiny? Anyway, no comment expected right away! We do have all the time in the world and we both entered new territory, so let’s enjoy, reflect, slow down and take it easy for a while, because we’re worth it.

We sure have plenty of time to get to know each other and catch up to share the beauty of life, dear Marcel. Who knows what God may have in plan? We shall see as our friendship grows. Before I go any further, let me list the 6 places. Rome and Paris, those two I‘ve always dreamed of visiting. Oslo seems to have great places too plus some sky-jumping to do. Also I’d like to visit one of my very close friends who lives there, if that’s ok with you. In Vienna I‘d like to visit the histories of Mozart and Beethoven. Not that am much of a fan, but I‘ve heard a lot. In Vienna I‘d also be interested in the Freud Museum. At least I’ve studied about his psychoanalysis theories and I enjoy counseling. Stockholm I‘ve always wanted to visit there and Sicily sounds like a fun Island. Switzerland would of course be 1st on the list. What‘s next?

I’ll let you lead the way. You know Europe better, please choose some places you’d like us to go and dream away. The list of places above is adjustable, señor! I feel very excited trying to choose places to visit and can’t wait to meet you and enjoy great moments together! Urakoze cyane, that means thanks a lot in Kinyarwanda. Of course you’ve set me on the path of dreaming about adventure again. This time you’re part of that adventure. I’ll definitely enjoy the weekend and hope, you do the same.

Your list of favorite places should also serve to turn your dream into a plan, dear Jean. Your selection is more likely to make me dream now, since I’ve never seen Paris, Oslo, Stockholm and Sicily so far! Rome and Vienna I visited decades ago. Anyway, to see the city of the seven hills by your side will be a great honor for me, preferably without dying..! Of course I look forward to visit your very close friend in Oslo. Currently, I’d put Venice, Graz, Barcelona or the principality of Monaco, combined with Nice, Cannes and Saint Tropez on my bucket list. By the way, how would you feel on a weekly cruise with the AIDA, my favorite cruise-line, for example to Croatia, Mallorca and the Greek Islands? If we can dream it and if you don’t get seasick, we can do it. Now you let me also dream, target exceeded, urakoze cyane. So far, our current journey plans require a travel time of at least four weeks. Fortunately we‘ll have six, if you agree.

Please just plan for the cruise, dear Marcel. I pray that I won’t get sea sick. That would be another moment to behold. I am excited to go where ever else you choose and am glad we’ll discover some new places for both of us. Four weeks of travel will be great and the two will be figured out then. Oh my Marcel, what can I say?! I think you’re extremely amazing even for trusting me this much to pay for everything. May God make this dream journey come true and may it give birth to more amazing and exciting moments. The FAITH LOUNGE journey is so ready for both of us. Thank you by heart. Today I was busy at church. Only have two services since after the lock down. The last one ended at 1pm. Today was special because for the 1st time, kids have been allowed to come to church. Now am gonna work in my school assignments. Have a blessed day until we talk again.

With pleasure and many many thanks for the real you, dear Jean! There’s an easy way to travel into the universe of our minds. Coming now in this theater: Way back, Sunday’s good night story at bedtime…

…„Hi Marcel. My name is Jean, Faith’s friend. She gave me your number. Great to meet you her and I hope we get to know each other more“! Do you remember, dear Jane, your first lines to me! To be continued by using scrolling. Flying over the rainbow of our amazing chat history means smiling amazed, awakening dreams, discovering possibilities, pinching the arm without waking up or in best case, shaking the head by wiping tears of joy from my eyes. Hello, it’s us, enjoying the time of our life, reaching for the stars while dreams become true. And as usual, everyday work follows the daydreams. Just started my final two business weeks this morning. I‘ll enjoy my „last order“ with all my heart, even if work doesn’t may stop calling. Thank God It’s Monday my dear and so enjoy your remaining day off. Last but not least, but at least something close to my heart:

As you’ll have noticed, I’m truly a maniac! The sky may be the limit, but life teaches me to try to use this blessed energy mostly carefully and for meaningful engagements. On the other hand, my „bipolar blessing“ forces me to slow down and take it easy in between times, following jungle book Baloo‘s example. If I don’t allow myself regular breaks, the pendulum hits back. That means keeping simple rules or wasting endless energy with the result of high risks and sad side effects. Fortunately, I don’t have to reach the sky every single day anymore. Reasonably, I mainly may serve light fare next, without to miss another kiss of muse like this: Que sera sera, whatever will be, will be, in a daydream of a true story, it‘s always a pleasure for me, my dear Miss Master Ministry.

Wow! It’s already 18 days into the FAITH LOUNGE journey, dear Marcel, almost a month! Time is flying which is good, because we get to meet sooner, right? Am a night owl and I share my flat with a house mate. Sometimes we jazz until very late in the night. Am sure you’re already in slumberland dreaming of the future. Sweet dreams, my dear.

Arise and shine, dear Marcel. I wish I could share some sunshine with you all the way from Rwanda. But I also admire the beautiful white scenery in Switzerland. Are you closing work for the  festive season? I hope they’re good deals. Oh am sorry to hear about the bipolar! Am glad you call it a blessing though, because in such times hope and faith always take you through what is meant to put you down. You already know how to go handle the situation. It’s still good for all of us to slow down and take in the moments around us once in a while. Take care, my dear!

How about a little big small talk in between, dear Jean?! Ten days from now, I‘ll be taking early retirement and I‘ll never have to work again, but I may, if I would like to. Tastes like freedom. You don’t have to feel sorry or worry about the maniac, hello, it’s still me! Since I‘ve gained experience over decades, I recognize risky situations and act accordingly. It’s also a question of mental strength, not even to think about the turbo button in my head. Would like to tell you more about it by time and opportunity, if you agree. Above all, this requires plenty of calmness in my head. I really enjoyed the cadence in which we communicated, but whether it brings peace of mind? Combined with the emotions of my last days at work ever and the house sale, with whom wouldn’t start the beehive to hum? Anyway, don’t worry, in the meantime I use my bipolar blessing to my favor, feel very healthy and I don’t take psychotropics. I enjoy my head, which is probably a bit unusual, but I try the human possible! From now on, my tones may sound quieter for a while, but never mind, I carry you in my heart.

By the way, some of our questions are still open. One or the other will justifiably remain unanswered, thats life. A few days ago, you asked me about how I live my faith. Today’s catholic holiday seems to be a good opportunity for a little insight into my creed:

Several parties have expressed an interest in buying my apartment. My favorite buyers were a Swedish family with three cute little girls, but an old couple offered me a 10% higher purchase price, which means a lot more money. Since my home is about a kilometer above the village and doesn’t have an elevator, as a result of decreasing mobility, this very nice old couple wouldn‘t have been happy for a long time in my home. Reasonably, I turned down the very tempting offer and sold my apartment to the family. It remains to be seen, whether the family will be happy in their beautiful new home, which at least serves as a perfect base for peace, happiness and joy. Long story short: I’d never presume that I always do the right thing, but I believe in what I do, stand by my decisions, always try my best and hope to succeed at last!

Hi my dear Marcel, I haven’t abandoned you today, but was caught up in the day. Tuesdays are the busiest days at my work, because most of us are off on Monday. After plenty of meetings, my day ended with a good run to keep myself fit. I missed our small talk in between but now am here. Early retirement sounds great, because it gives you plenty of time to enjoy the things you like. It’s freedom indeed. Ok! I think maniac is such a tough word though! No more worries about the situation, I definitely will hear more about your experience whenever you feel like. Am glad I know, it’s alright even when the tones go quieter. I’ll be here waiting. That was a very wise and thoughtful decision you made about which people to sell your house. Well, God gives us wisdom and discernment as our trust in him grows in us. You sound like a person who cares about others well being just for their sake. That’s admirable.

Good late evening, dear Jean. Thank you very much for not only try to understand my way of believing, but also for respecting it. And how I’m looking forward to our exciting trip to Paris, Oslo, Vienna and especially Rome, because many roads lead to Rome and as well, faith may be lived in a thousand different ways, yet each one can be true. We all have our own ways of doing things. According to a saying, the highest result of education is tolerance. Thank you by heart for respect and tolerance! Can you hear this sound, dear Jean? Mister Sandman brings us a dream.

Good day my dear Marcel, I hope you’re enjoying your snow white day as you wind off with your last weeks of work. Sure faith is a sensitive matter and it takes understanding to be accommodative. Let’s continue to open our hearts to God who guides us in his truth. He requires us to do good always. Am definitely looking forward to that trip. I love country music, especially by Allan Jackson, Dolly Parton, Don Williams and Ken Rogers. Do you play guitar? I’ve always wanted to learn it so I could play country. I never started it though.

Almost ready for a hike in winter wonderland, dear Jean. My best friend by my side as well as Supertramp from the AirPods in my mind. The Logical Song, my hymn for over four decades and till further notice. I keep it with music like with eating: Some love to cook and some prefer to eat. Others in turn enjoy and love music by listening, which doesn’t mean, that I‘m cooking terribly bad, but I‘d neither count play instruments nor the arts of kitchen among my core competencies! Enjoy your evening and if you may, relax and listen to the sound of Supertramp, it will be logical.

I see why the logical song has become your anthem, dear Marcel. It speaks reality, it is logical! Don’t worry about cooking, as long as you don’t go hungry. Not much culinary arts in me, but I’ll cook African food for you someday. Sweet dreams for you.

Good morning and welcome back to Jeans travel lounge. Gonna meet my banker next week to settle some details about selling the house. That may be a good opportunity to let me know just about the flight costs and your bank details as well as a copy of your ID. At best, I could transfer airfare and travel money right in time for Christmas, wouldn‘t that be nice?! By the way: My final sprint regarding business handover should also be completed by Xmas, I love good news.

Thank you very much, my dear Jean, for your unconditional trust, which I try to justify by transferring the travel expenses to you next week. I’m as happy as I can be, especially since my Christmas present for you comes from my heart. Gifts never should be linked to conditions. Therefore I leave it to you for your free disposition, hoping very much of course, that you may use my present to buy a flight ticket to Switzerland. But your decision is based on your free will as promised. Escorted by this feeling, I wish you a blessed weekend. Gonna enjoy peace and quiet, that’s what I need and treat now to switch back later on to our lovely messages.

Urakoze cyane, dear Marcel, I‘m very grateful for your generous Christmas gift. I definitely would love to come to Switzerland for the awaiting fun. You’re a great person with a generous heart. I can’t wait to get to know you better. Thanks again for the travel ticket. Let me get the details and send them to you. I want you to know that I‘m grateful to God for you and our new friendship. May he guide us always. Thanks again for my unconditional Christmas gift. I pray that you’re well my dear. Enjoy your weekend rest, you’ll be in my heart. Am amused at how you answer some questions when the time desires.

You‘re always welcome to enjoy the way I answer your questions, when time has come, dear Jean. I hardly could forget them anyway. The melody of memory, one of the great advantages of my bipolar head. As bigger the challenges, as more efficient the brain works. This recovers opportunities and risks. It feels like a faster and faster turning spiral. That means, I always have to resist this terrific temptation of a seemingly unlimited open mind. Because as a result of uncontrollable wear and tear of energy, this path inevitably leads to depression an ruin! Therefore it’s very important to slow down sometimes, keep calm and above all to resist. Don‘t lead us into temptation. Well, fortunately there are such as other temptations! Entirely in this sense, I wish you a blessed Sunday, enjoy your sweet daydreams.

Yes I’ve noticed you have a good memory, dear Marcel. We’ll be thankful for the good side of mania and pray for grace to go through the low side of it. Sending you hugs and des bisous from Kigali.

This afternoon, dear Jean, mom and I did voice recordings. Mom plays in a senior theater group. We practice twice a week for her new role. Even if the performances aren’t likely to take place next April due to Covid, at least we meet and have fun. Mom plays her part and I‘m gonna try the other five characters. With the recordings from her AirPods, mom walks through the countryside and practices on and on. And so everyone cherishes and cultivates talents, own unique characters and harbor little surprises.

So you have an actress in your family, dear Marcel. That seems like fun-time and you definitely surprised me with that. Personally I’ve been buried in books today and this is how I feel like. Now I can enjoy some Christmas music and watch movies. My favorite genre in movies is Crime Investigation (CI). What’s yours?

Oh my Jean, I’m a romantic and like comedies like Sleepless In Seattle or A Fish Called Wanda and music films of course like The Blues Brothers as well as heartbreakers like Forrest Gump or my beloved Jungle Book. I’m open wide, my name is Bond, James Bond. Furthermore, I‘d like to tell you one of my little surprises. But to build up the tension, tomorrow ist another day…

Oki dokie, no more surprises tonight, dear Marcel. Let’s see how tomorrow unfolds, I love Mondays anyway as you know. Probably it may be a good time for a surprise to be told and now I‘m curious!

At best, my little surprise may amaze you and make you curious, dear Jean, otherwise probably as well. The one and only rule: Little surprises lives in our hearts and don‘t require any revenge! First of all, I’m gonna take the liberty to have a look back, at least starting over 2000 years after the birth of Jesus Christ. So please come fly with me, let’s play with our minds and welcome to my world, in which it’s not in my hands to press the maniac start button in my head! At least, I may control the landing, if I navigate carefully.

In order to land safely „back on earth“ after such a high altitude, presented in the past as a result of several remarkable changes, every now and then, with the blessing of my doctor, I treat myself to an excellent herbal remedy, called medical cannabis. I believe that God has given us all his gifts to be used carefully and appropriately. The quantity makes the poison and the effect justifies the remedy. It relaxes me at least even for a quiet moment, but optimally serving the purpose and therefore entirely in God‘s spirit, so I believe.

Oh wow Marcel, that’s a tough one to chew on. Doesn’t it hype the bipolar? Well, you already said your doc blesses it. How often do you have to take it to relax? Anyway, I don’t know what to say. Thanks for letting me in on this one.

How does it feel, dear Jean, to be so intelligent, empathetic, generous and pretty at the same time?! Anyway, let’s talk about several types of nuts, my „kryptonite“ as a food allergy sufferer. However, I wouldn’t call myself a sufferer, especially since my choice of wholesome foods is still very balanced. Because of the tannin and acids, I almost completely refrain from alcohol, but at least, I can toast with a glass of red wine and even enjoy two or three sips. Fortunately, I’m not a highly allergic person.

Enough of these nuts, let’s continue with another kind of being nuts. Thank you very much for your considered and honest words. I really appreciate that. About ten years ago, I survived two massive bipolar attacks that cost me years. I drew the lessons from this and adapted my behavior, listening to the signs of my body. Six months in psychiatric institutions, four of them in the closed ward, have shaped my will to try to never return to such a clinic again. Fortunately, I got through the back then forcibly administered psychotropic drugs without noticeable side effects and have been almost free of psychotropic drug since 2013, almost?

I’m well aware that cannabis for medical purposes is still demonized in some circles of the population, but I don’t understand it. Personally, I don’t know of any remedy that provides even nearly as good relaxation. In Switzerland, we’re not as liberal as in Netherlands or Canada, but many cannabis products can be legally bought in our country in supermarkets, kiosks or drugstores. A little mystery for you, in my culture a matter of course. Almost everybody indulges my occasional relaxation, not entirely selfless, I‘d say.

Aww! Thanks for your compliment, dear Marcel. In Rwanda, we set lots of nuts, I make sure not to serve you any when you come to visit East Africa again. I’ve always suffered from hay fever. I hate it been taking antihistamines for years. Though the Rwandan environment has treated me much better than Uganda. At least, you’re able to toast with wine. My preference is white dry.

„About 10 years ago…“ I have no idea what it felt or feels like, but it must have been tough years you coming to terms with the situation. I’ve been told that the psychotropic meds make one lose their emotional experience, is that correct? Am glad you also have good experiences to share out of what you have been through, it brings hope. Well, we just need to get more awareness about the usage of these herbs. True that cannabis has been demonized in many places because of the side effects it causes in people who are especially intolerant. I for sure know it’s medicinal for a number of illnesses. Like you said, taking more than enough is poison! Well, thanks for the add to your surprising world.

Out of experience on the cannabis abuse, of course not me but someone close to me. He’s addicted to it plus drinking. He has caused a lot of havoc in our circle to the extent of leaving us traumatized. We reached a point in life, when everyone was waiting to receive a call about his death. Whenever he was high, he used to provoke people and they would beat him up badly. It’s worse in a place, where they exercise mob justice and the police doesn’t come to rescue in time. I helplessly watched him almost get killed by the mob in the night. Am grateful he’s still alive but the experience is terrible. So yes, sometimes such herbs can trigger bad memories for some people. Don’t worry about me though, just sharing about what happened. I enjoy talking about such topics by the way, I’m a story teller too. Thank you for being a man of your word, for trusting me and for the Christmas gift. Now looking forward to the next journey and the excitement of touring with you.

No need to worry, dear Jean, especially since our different experiences with those „herbs“ have led us to compare apples with oranges anyway. Today is a fine day, the story of my life, guided by heart, accompanied by mind. First of all, I said a thousand thanks to my good souls in garden, laundry, cleaning and house maintenance, as well as to my real estate agent. A handwritten card with a thank you by heart for all these years of loyalty, reliability, always joined by a friendly talk and smile. As a Christmas gift, I put an amount into each card. But what now? Along the lines of trinity, a third of my financial blessing, I’ll put back as a reserve for my regular pension in the future. With the middle third of this treasure chest, added by a monthly annuity, if God willing, I’d like to use the opportunity to enjoy a life from now on, most people don’t even dream about. You‘re cordially invited to participate. Last but not least, the remaining money, I’ll use for the part of my heart, confidently according to my guideline: Joy shared is joy doubled. The most important third from my point of view, I give away in reasonable parts to my loved ones.

Awwh, you’ve a large heart Marcel. The greatest investment made is loving people and sharing your joy with them. Thank you my sweet friend for the invite to enjoy life with you. Am looking forward. What you give comes back to you, pressed down, shaken together and running over. May that continue to be your portion my dear. Indeed faith, hope and love abide, but the greatest of them is love.

The same attitude, dear Jean, the same believe, everyone as good as it gets, framed by a pinch of tolerance and it works. By the way, you may not be able to imagine how much energy the last few weeks have cost, but you felt my heart, that’s more than good enough. Now the tension has gone, my heart feels outlawed and my head has relaxed. The mania, without I hardly could cope such challenges, has vanished and given way to absolute calm and clarity. For this purpose, I cried almost the whole morning out of relief, because not on every one of these maniac journeys in my head, I found home again that quick. On other occasions I’ve had to fight for years to get back and find my balance. Now I’m almost back in the green and infinitely grateful for your company on my journey as well as confident, that this may not have been our last trip. So far so good and so composed that I’ll be able to enjoy with all my heart the aperitif for my farewell in the office this afternoon as well as the subsequent billiards evening with my friends. The downside of the medal, which is depression, spared me for once, thank God and maybe because I deserve it.

I can imagine how it has been for you, dear Marcel. Of course you have shared some moments about the ups and downs and I felt your heart. I wish I were there to hug you, to soothe you. Glad you’re now in the green and able to find your balance again. In this sense, let’s pray that great things awaiting for us to discover. Enjoy your day, I‘m with you in spirit.

Our thoughts may probably accompany each other, dear Jean. Early in the morning, I felt a little sad, even if at a high level. By waking up after five hours of deep sleep, I immediately noticed, that my „window to infinity“ closes step by step and allows space for everyday life, which leads to mixed emotions. In case of special challenges, my heart takes over. A while ago, I tried to describe these feelings as follows: In my everyday life, I’m sitting on the edge of a volcano on cold lava rock. In the mania, it feels like I’m dancing on hot magma in the cone of the volcano. The infinite universe of the heart seems to be based on three pillars: Logical paths, simple solutions and solomonic equity, accompanied by crystal clear acumen and ingenuity as well as an unbelievably detailed power of recall, even back for decades.

The downside of the medal: Brute energy wear, so I’ve lost five kilograms in the last ten days, at least a positive effect. Another side effect is insomnia. My sad record is 62 nights practically without sleep! I’m not proud of that, it took me years to recover, but during this process, I’ve learned to deal with it and turned my disturbance into a very powerful blessing. I’ve been able to resist the lure of the apparently limitless freedom of mania this time and of that I‘m proud. Along with my sister and mom, this afternoon we‘re allowed to choose our Christmas tree for the very last time in my unique home. My daughter will decorate the tree as usual and my son takes care over his unique crib’s design.

Great Family, dear Marcel. The joy of Christmas! Those are really strong conflicting emotions that you go through. I can’t imagine going through it everyday on the low and then on the high. I‘m glad you have such an understanding family and friends. Despite what you have gone through, you’re courageously looking to the positive whenever you can. That’s very commendable. You‘re stronger than you think Marcel. I pray that God will guide you in his presence a step at a time as you look through your window of infinity. God leads us to freedom, he will help you go through it well surrounded by people who matter.

Enjoy your Sunday with your beloved ones as you choose and decorate the Christmas tree. About my friends: My house mate and I, we’ve been friends since 1994, when I had just started secondary school. We also went to the same University with another mutual friend. We meet from time to time, she still lives in Uganda. Another friend lives in the same neighborhood with her sister. We met in our 1st year at Uni. We often spend weekends together and usually meet for prayer on Fridays after work. How has your Sunday been? From tree selection to decorating?

My new life just begins, dear Jean. I’ll never be able to thank you for your unreserved support. Fortunately, I don’t have to either, as you loved to accompany me from the bottom of your heart, which has no claims. The heart only knows love! My life just called out, some things have been left behind lately: Refrigerator empty, Christmas gifts in my head instead of under the Christmas tree and the tree not even in the living room! Sunday sales were canceled due to Covid. At least, all parking spaces were free..! And while I’m going to enjoy a second try to buy a Christmas tree, I wish you a relaxed start to your day off. Thank God It‘s Monday.

The time of life, dear Marcel, always brings exciting feelings I think, so let them be! This pandemic has created a special year of it’s own with unprecedented turns. Secondary kids in government boarding schools in Rwanda are staying there for Christmas, due to the increased Covid cases. I won’t be able to go home to Uganda for Christmas too. At least, I have a family of great friends here in Rwanda to celebrate with nevertheless. It’s still a special year, because I’ve met a new friend in you, now toasting to the new year. Your Christmas gift arrived today, dear Marcel. It’s with great pleasure that I received it, merci beaucoup! Tomorrow I will go to the visa office, to see if I can get a list of visa requirements. Then I can start my preparations for our journey.

Do you have a ritual to decorate Christmas trees in Switzerland? In Rwanda, anyone decorates, nothing attached! Sometimes we may become too lazy to decorate, but it brings that sense of togetherness. May you find joy and peace in celebrating the live and salvation in Jesus! He is the reason for the season. It’s already Christmas Eve. Surely you have great plans to look forward to. Enjoy your day sweetie.

All the same to you, dear Jean and how we celebrated Christmas Eve! My family, my goodness. I’ll be happy to tell you about our Christmas by time and opportunity. But now and only on this channel: A nice little Christmas Eve morning fairy tale or when a dream comes true just in time:

December 24, ten o’clock in the morning on my way back home from the local butcher shop, carried by a plastic bag, well filled with sliced chicken for the evening Christmas wok, the paths from the father of my son‘s best friend and me crossed. Calling hello Marcel from far, he waved to me and immediately put on his mask, I hadn’t even coughed. However, I was happy not to feel any rush for once and I consciously fulfilled my optional outdoor mask requirement. He began to talk about his family, his mother, his brother, from whom he hadn‘t heard any signs of life for 15 years, a broken relationship within the family, the unfair system in his homeland and last but not least, as a result of work, his hands were increasingly painful due to wear and tear. Teardrops rolled over his mask. For heaven’s sake, I thought and suggested to walk home together. After he recovered a bit, I asked him about his hobbies:

„Every day after work an hour’s walk to get my head free and riding with my bicycle around the lake“. Are you still pedaling or already e-biking, I asked him. He told me to be riding a conventional bike, but that he already thought about an e-bike. Since I‘m currently planning to replace my e-bike in spring with a motorhome compliant model, I suggested to contact him right in time! He replied: „With great pleasure, if it’s a good e-bike“! With these words, our ways parted and even while looking behind him, it was clear as day to me, this matter can’t wait any longer. Half an hour later, forgot my mask in the hurry, I rang his doorbell and presented him my mint green e-bike from the brand HAIBIKE, which was no longer entirely new, but recently arriving from service. I’ve never seen this man so happy, his eyes where shining, it was wonderful. Mint green and him, a harmony on two wheels, on which he returned from his test drive pretty soon, easily and stylish as a honey cake face, grace to the highest support level. As soon as he got off his new steel horse, which was ridden by me with care and joy, he offered me a mask and invited me into his home for a coffee, truly a special honor.

While he, jumping like a young deer, I’m honestly not overdoing, was busy at the kitchen with my caffeinated hot drink, my son‘s best friend’s younger brother confessed to me, that his father once said at the table around last summer, that his greatest dream was, by retirement in about five years, to be able to effort an e-bike to ride it to the nearby mountains and see the world from above. Now the row of wet eyes reached me. The Christmas cookies, his wife baked herself, visually a poem, I left on the plate in a disciplined manner, despite my growling stomach. In worst case, for me as an allergic person, they literally could get on my nuts. But very rarely, a cup of coffee tasted so delicious.

Last but not least, traditionally on Christmas Eve, my son’s best friend attended us company for the last time in our unique home at dessert time late last night. He told us about his new father! When he was greeted at his parents′ home in the afternoon, first of all, he asked: „Father, did you win the lottery“?! Then he hugged me and said, he had never seen his father so happy before! A Christmas story, life couldn’t write more beautiful.

Aww, that’s a beautiful story Marcel. What a cool bike give-away! You’ve put a smile on a face especially in this tough year. May God continually bless you for your loving heart, my dear Marcel. This is how God has called us to live with one another! You’re a sweet person, yes you are indeed. That mobile home can’t wait to travel in it with you next year. I never thought, I would even have thoughts of traveling in one until I met you. So good to hear that you enjoyed your Christmas Eve, overwhelmed with love from those around you! I can almost hear you exclaim the goodness you feel. It’s Christmas day today. Here we mostly celebrate the 25th with family and friends after church. Right now I am out of church, pretty soon merrymaking begins.

Usually from the 21st of December, we celebrate with the Christmas Cantata and the whole city comes to church to enjoy being together every day till the 24th. This year due to Covid we could not. Anyhow let’s celebrate with in our hearts. I wish you overwhelming joy and God’s goodness today as you continue to celebrate Jesus′ birth. I thank God very much who made us cross paths this year. There’s a lot I’m already learning from you. I live the way you give yourself to others. A very merry Christmas dear. In the house of friends, we enjoyed a great time together. As a result of the curfew, we even spent the night there and we’re still here. We had a great time. And – I am patiently waiting to hear your Christmas story!

Anticipation is the greatest joy, dear Jean. Can you here the editor calling?! It will be an honor for me to present my whole Christmas fairytale while you enjoy breakfast in bed. I name this story „Beautiful and other presents“. On Christmas Eve, my niece and her husband let our family into the sweet secret of becoming parents. My children Yannick and Sophie will be godparents. So let’s start with the end, dear Jean, the distribution of gifts on December 25th in the house of my best friend: From January, twice a week in the evenings, I’ll enjoy the privilege of supporting my best friend’s daughter, whose godfather I am, in the field of languages ​​with her homework.

Home sale, freedom, E-bike lottery, maximal proud father, grand uncle and godfather, teacher and last but not least, the FAITH LOUNGE. Enough for a lifetime in a few days! Everything flows infinitely, invincible, almost infallible, oh my God..! Not at all – thank God, because pride comes before deep fall. And so I proudly announced the happy expectation of the coming baby of my niece in the illustrious circle of my best friend’s family. My godchild impressively underpinned her dexterity on her smartphone and congratulated the parents-to-be by offering her babysitting services, isn‘t that lovely?! But at dark night, I read the following lines from the parents-to-be:

„Dear uncle Marci. We would be happy, if you could keep the baby news to yourself. It’s not week 12 yet and it is okay for us to share with our close family, but please don’t go any further. We would like to tell the news ourselves. We’ll be happy to get in touch regarding babysitting at the given time. Thanks and good night“.

My answer around midnight: „Oh my goodness, I missed something, but I haven‘t told anybody else. I’m very very sorry and I already informed  my best friend‘s family to keep it as a secret. Best regards and sweet dreams“. While reading the lines of my niece, I catapulted back to the ground with warp speed. I’ve adorned myself with strangers feathers, I’ve taken it too far. This morning, after a seven hours deep sleep and according to the circumstances deepest ashamed, I followed my heart and sent the following lines:

„Dear parents-to-be: Lately, I did a lot right and completely in the sense of our unique family. But last night, I built a big mess! The scales fell from my eyes when I read your lines, my dear ones. I never thought for a second that it might be due to someone else than me to spread this happy news. Thus cheated you of the once-in-a-lifetime event of being able to deliver this sweet news personally. I no longer need a slap in the face, because I’ve already received a sledgehammer, exactly at the moment when the penny fell. Silence would have meant gold. After all, my friends and I will keep our sweet secret. Since I can hardly find suitable words for what I screwed up, I apologize again and I hope, that your disappointment will be limited. I wish you a relaxed start at the turn of the year and look forward to my privilege as great-uncle Marci. I wish you lots of joy and from now on, I’ll switch my brain on again before I open my mouth. I was so proud of this incredibly good news that it just gushed out of me“.

And so, I’m sitting there, feeling very humble and small, right in time. Thank God I’m fallible! I’m allowed to make mistakes, I have to make mistakes to grow with them and I stand for it! I stand straight anyway, straight at the beginning of a new chapter in my life. And now, I’m going mad! Just now and right in time arrived, the lines of the parents-to-be:

„Dear Marcel, this is now water under the bridge, look forward! We‘re very happy and it’s okay for all of us now. Hoping, that everyone keeps our sweet little secret, we‘ll be happy to come back to babysitting services“.

I bow to true greatness and I am amazed, that the story seems to write itself. Grace to the acceptance of my apology including reconciliation on my address, life gives me a happy ending in many ways! My lines to you, dear Jean, could also be my lines to any member of my family and friends. We owe nothing, we love each other.  But why in fact, my lines are for your eyes only, my dear? Everyone is friendly, loyal, clever and smart as you are definitely too. Each in one‘s own way and besides that, dear Jean, you‘re unique because you‘re my impartial guardian angel. It’s also my time to thank you cordially for your open-hearted company on the journeys of my mind. I look forward relaxed to our first physical adventure through Europe, my dear Miss Master Ministry. I wondering in so many ways! Hello, it‘s me, everyday Marci, essentially a Marci mania, but much easier to care for in smaller doses. Some things never change, but now it‘s just getting started…

Dear Marcel, I’ve had a good time to read through your lines. Clearly you enjoyed the gift time. I think for my next Christmas, wherever I may celebrate, I‘ll enjoy the gift of being able to spend time with these lovely people. It’s great that you’ve enjoyed your time by crowning this season in your life before the new adventure begins. About the exciting baby news, I don’t blame you! Good news feel great and it’s always exciting, especially when it’s from people you closely care about. I too could be tempted to spill the news and then being rebuked later. Well, they have their reason for wanting to keep it that way. It’s okay to feel bad about what happened. Good news is, you did it with a good loving heart, which they seem to have understood. You said it well, we’re all fallible and we learn through our mistakes. It all looks well now that it has been settled.

Your goddaughter and you seem to have a kindred spirit. She seems like a girl who is easy to like. It’s so sweet of you to add me to those very close to you. I hope I can live up to it. Let’s wait and see what the new year has to offer both of us in the coming adventures. Cheers to our friendship. Today, Sunday went well for me. I attended church and I was scheduled to supervise the Covid precautions during our 2nd service as is our ritual nowadays. So, there’s an American couple, friends of mine, they also serve at my church. The lady is a music teacher. They took me out to lunch which I appreciated so much. They’re a great and loving old couple. They wanted to know how they could support me in ministry so as to serve better. The man is one of the church elders leaders and so I poured out my heart about what to do better next year in the Children’s church. After lunch, I met with my close friend. We hadn’t planned to meet though but we live in the same neighborhood. So I parked outside her house and we talked in the car for about three hours. Then returned home in time before curfew. Now it’s time to sleep for me. Talk to you again at dawn my dear. Sweetest dreams for you tonight.

Welcome dear Jean, to the one and only ANGELS LOUNGE, my name is Monday, open Monday and so I‘m yours. A three-hour conversation with your friend, dear Jean, your heart is exactly at the right place. Good news about the baby news babbling: My niece and her husband invited me to celebrate New Year’s Eve at their home. How could somebody accept an apology more impressively. Whenever I may choose between fear and courage, I try to choose courage. Once more, courage and trust have been rewarded and it was worth it. Hope your day went as well as you wrote, because you were able to pour out your heart to an American couple of friends and you made suggestions for improvement. I wish I could do something! At least, I offer the prospect of coming up with something – one fine day! Last but not least as well as to round up Christmas, let‘s have some fun with the credits. Every end is a new beginning, dear Jean. Have you ever thought about writing a book, my dear?!

Breakfast in bed, dear Marcel, something to dream about. Thank God It’s Monday, starting it in our ANGELS LOUNGE. That’s awesome, that the parents-to-be got to invite you for New Year’s Eve. You’re surrounded with great hearts and that’s indeed a blessing, because they love you as well as you too care about them. Our time is coming and we shall meet. You have a creative mind, which I am sure I too will reap from with great ideas and things to do. About writing a book: That will take great inspiration. Maybe I’ll read yours and get inspired. It has crossed my mind a few times but that was it. Right now I just enjoy to read and read.

Even if I gradually become the everyday Marci again, I still have a few ideas. Hopefully one of my very best coming soon in this theater. Maybe you’re looking too far.

I sure do, dear Marcel. Let me wait and see how it all unfolds.

It feels like crazy to be in my home sweet home and I’m still able to live my life in my paradise for another two months. Could you imagine dear Jean, to write or even already have written a book with me, starting with the mother of messages as follows: „Hi Marcel, my name is Jean, Faith’s friend. She gave me your number. Great to meet you here and I hope we get to know each other more“. Simply brilliant as well as easy going on message history, step by step till the end. Have you ever thought about writing a book my dear, do you remember?

Welcome to the one and only ANGELS LOUNGE. By the way the easiest path from the thought to the written book. And as an addition, a photo book with many unique snapshots from Rome, Paris, Venice..! How does this idea sound to you, my dearest? Could you imagine being interested in a brilliantly simple Jean & Marcel personal travel-book project master plan and ready to make your contribution to it with all your heart, would you?!

That’s a thrilling idea, Marci. Am so much for that simple Jean & Marcel personal travel book project. I’ll definitely contribute. You’re such an adventurous person, you get me excited every time! There’s never a boring moment with you. I send you hugs and kisses for your birthday.

We just have postponed my birthday by 45 minutes, dear Jean. One of my guests had to lie down for a while just before midnight, please don’t ask. Now the booth is full and quiet, everyone sleeps happily. Thank you very much for your birthday wishes. The master plan for my book idea I’ll create, when muse kisses me.

Essence of Mind: House, job, wardrobe, everything changed, seems awesome, right. But why on earth? My previous assumption: In my spear time, clients of my agency often greeted me with the ominous opening „Good that I see you“, followed by non-binding business conversations, which I handled in three decades  always much friendlier, I maybe sometimes would have liked. But may social contacts justify such a change? Maybe, as I said, but never to this extent!

On birthday evening, the penny dropped during a brief conversation with my sister on the terrace! We‘ve been working together now for over 20 years. If brother and sister would have got lost in between, we would hardly have noticed. Now this sword of cooperation falls! We may be brother and sister again and live our usual warm and yet rather casual life as sister brother. By the way, I really love not to have to go back to the agency anymore. The time for a change has come. That applies to me and also serves the future well-being of the agency.

A little journey through time: Assuming yesterday was today, today would be tomorrow. Be that as it may, thank you very much for your most precious one, which you keep giving me, dear Jean! Your time, relatively irrelevant whether yesterday, today or tomorrow. In this sense, I wish you a happy new year in bright colors, my dear.

Good morning Marcel. Thanks for the wishes dear. I also wish you the very best. May God’s beautiful grace, love, peace and joy be measured for you in this unique new year. Am sure we’ve crossed our paths in such a time as this with a great purpose. Let’s wait and see, how our common path unfolds. As we get ready to be ushered into the new year, I wish you all the day’s blessings.

Last but not least on new year‘s eve, I’m only too happy to tell you an amazing and also for me surprising story, dear Jean:

My children Sophie, Yannick and some of my favorite „jungle kids“, prepared me the following colorful as well as imaginative birthday surprise: While Sophie and her friend lured me out of the house with a little walk on my birthdays morning, Yannick and his best friend glued in our living room a canvas over my favorite painter’s mural in order to immediately devote themselves to manual work by painting their hands in bright colors and pressing them on the canvas. Provided with the handprints of family and friends, I could have easily folded this canvas and transported it in my motorhome. So much to this lovely idea.

About 10 days ago, my oldest friend the painter knocked to visit me on December 30th, longing for snow and relaxation. Early that morning, I looked at the canvas, in which center a quote from „dear uncle“ Albert Einstein was planned. So I wrote to dormouse painter far too verbosely to bring paints, brushes and even measured the middle of the canvas. On 40 x 50 centimeters, the painters picture should adorn my canvas, good old Albert may forgive me. So far the starting point. The result is the following incredible story:

My friend the painter doesn’t seem to have read my message very accurate! After all, instead of my novel, I just should have been written: „Bring brushes and paint, I’m allergic to animal hair“! Well, at lunchtime, he arrived pretty confused without painting utensils, but at least with Nelson, his dog. I was amazed and together, we redesigned my apartment to be Nelson friendly. Finally the painter organized paint and brushes, meanwhile I asked myself the following: If he can easily lift a huge Christmas tree from the living room to the terrace just for his beloved four-legged friend, what else could he be able to reach?! A relaxed environment, Nelson as a guardian angel on four paws, exploring my home! I acted as an unconventional muse, providing drinks, food, music and good vibrations. Last but not least a trapped painter, asking himself again and again: „How on earth do I get all these hands into my painting“?

I was kissed by the muse and had the following idea: „My dear old friend, I’m so free and give you my picture“. First he hesitated, that he couldn’t accept and paint over a picture that my children gave me. With my unmistakable voice, thanks to which even dog Nelson respond immediately if necessary, I broke the spell with the following words: „We can manage another sheet full of colored hands, but hardly create again a masterpiece. And now please be as free as well, let’s feel the magic of the moment“.

After that, I opened with Hotel California by the Eagles and the hands disappeared bit by bit. The rest is history, part of our story, my favorite guardian angel. Even if you may share this title with a dog named Nelson lately, which by the way escaped once, because I left the door open. After all, the dog was entertaining the neighborhood kids. A very specific and quiet loud „Nelson“ was enough and this rascal got leashed at once. All’s well that ends well now? Wherever the story of this picture may take us, we‘ve already experienced the happy ending.

Now, dear Marcel, that I have kinda settled down in Kigali, I want to say thank you very much for the adventurous trips.

You are much fun to be around and I miss that already and will miss it dearly. I love how you look out for everyone and care that you leave a smile even on strangers′ faces. You are a very awesome being and friend, thanks for being you.

I feel the same way dear Jean, the gap that you have left behind, I feel painfully. And yet the joy of having done the right thing at the right time and in the best possible way prevails. It’s time to go new ways, but I’ll always look back on our common path full of joy and with shining eyes.

In this spirit, I also thank you from the bottom of my heart for your trust, your views, your optimism, your understanding – many thanks for YOU, my dear Jean.