Two Peas in a Pod.....or Wait Up for Me!

SK is remarkable.  At nearly 72 years of age, he feels the aches and pains that come with being "older."  But he hasn't quite realized yet that he is supposed to slow down.  He seems to be able to walk for hours without tiring, and will seldom (as in never) give the excuse of being tired as a reason to not do something.  He gets excited to do new things, and he is eager to explore.

His sister Mary is several years older, and is very similar.  They have been quite a pair this week walking all over Denmark.  When Mary first got here a week ago, we kept her up by taking a long walk - probably at least a couple of miles down cobblestone walkways to see some of the beauties of Copenhagen.  A tumble onto those cobblestones...face first, and even with bruising to hands, knee and hip she happily accompanied us on every sightseeing excursion we came up with.

She and SK together took a couple of different tours without me that must have been several miles.  Yesterday, while I was at the center, they walked through Tivoli, down Stroget - again - and climbed up the Round Tower (circular ramp in a church tower), then down sidestreets before coming home.  They both happily told me all about the paths they had traversed.

I have been utterly astonished all week as she has enthusiastically participated in every activity we have suggested.  She has been unfailingly cheerful and eager to do everything.  From where does she draw such energy?  And did SK and Mary inherit this......or has it been a conscious choice?

There was nothing I did for/at the center yesterday which was difficult, but I came home spent....utterly.  I wrote my post for the day and collapsed in bed.  This morning when I got up I thought we should make this a really great day for Mary's last day here by going to a couple of places in the vicinity.  But at the same time, my body was saying, "Hey!  Take it easy there."

SK had already plotted a course for us....saying it would be short walks (as in less than a mile).  Miraculously, Mary said, "Let's take it easy for awhile and then see how we feel."....which is exactly what we did.  I don't know if she was actually tired, or if she sensed I was, but I was so grateful to for her suggestion.

Later in the day we drove out to Amager, where Mary had ice cream from Ismageriet....an incredible ice cream place.  It is a little place not unlike a small Dairy Queen.  It is probably 50 years old or more.

We stood in line for 15 minutes or so, and then stood in front of the display case drooling over all the flavors.  We finally made our selections and then sat in the warm sunshine basking in the experience.

We all came home, and no one seemed to mind not going out to do any more sightseeing....much as we all love this place.  I think we are pretty much worn out...happily so.

We will take Mary to the airport at 9 a.m. and then it is off to the center.  Sunday will be a YSA day too.  We will attend our block, do home teaching and then to the center for planning meetings and an evening sacrament meeting.  On Monday, we will start the quarterly missionary apartment inspections.  We have quite a few to do next week.  It will be one of those weeks where we will be busy most days.

What a wonderful and delightful week we have had....kind of restful....and kind of not....but wonderful nevertheless.  SK and his sister have had time together like they haven't had since they were kids.  I think it has been very good for them both....and it has been lovely for me to watch them together and to be a part of some of the grand "see Denmark" tours.  And it has been marvelous for me in this great setting to get to know my sweet "sister" better.  She has been a steady and steadying force in the Madsen family for as long as I can remember, and she embodies the best and most beautiful qualities of her mother.

We will always treasure the memories of this week.