The boys arrived in Chicago around 2pm and, as directed, immediately sent a photo of the two of them. A few hours form now they'll catch a flight to Portland, Maine. We'll be there! (Nice backdrop, boys... USA and McDonalds)
Tomorrow, William and Soenke will say their goodbyes and head off on their adventures. They'll meet up in Frankfurt with other YFUers and have lots of time in Chicago for talk. I know a little of the feeling that you parents, family members, and friends are experiencing having said my own farewells at the other end of the journey. It's never easy.
This gift of a year in American can help young people reinvent themselves while learning to negotiate a new culture with new friends and a new family, albeit a little family made up of a boisterous hound and a writer-teacher who's happiest in the mountains... thank goodness for Aunt Connie and Uncle Ben right up the street... and the soccer, ski, and baseball teams! It is really one big family. Thanks to William and Soenke's families for loaning us these boys... we'll take care of them. Safe travels, boys! "Waiting for the Boys": Dear Moms, Dads, Sisters, Brothers, Family, and Friends of William & Soenke8/12/2015 In just about a week, William and Soenke will land in Portland, Maine. Bailey and I will be at the bottom of the staircase in the airport waiting to welcome them to their year in America. Throughout the coming year, we'll do our best to post photos and stories on this blog that capture their time in Maine. We thank both families--and the boys' friends--for sharing William and Soenke with us.
--As with most of the photos in this blog, just click on the photo to enlarge.-- --Also, please leave comments at the bottom of the page or use the "Contact Form" to say Hello.-- For those interested, the following link takes you to the Mountain Valley High School School Calendar: RSU 10 School Calendar.
On Sunday, William and family dropped off twin brother Frederik at broading school while Soenke and his family recovered from a farewell party. The time draws closer for the boys to head off to Frankfurt and meet each other on Thursday. That flight will take them to Chicago and after a few hours of layover, they'll be jetting to Portland, Maine, where Rich and Bailey will be waiting at the bottom of a short staircase.
**As always, click on the photos to enlarge.** |