It's a hot and sunny Sunday morning in the little town of Lapczyca just East of Krakow and I'm sitting under a grape arbor on a wooden wagon wheel bench on the family farm of Father Symeon. On Wednesday we were warmly greeted by his elderly aunt who owns the farm and still maintains her own house and the barn in which she keeps two large sows and eight piglets, along with a number of chickens raised for their tender organic meat, and the fruit orchards in several small gardens surrounding the home. Her son Adam and his wife and three children have a house that shares the property and they help to plow the fields, plant crops of plant potatoes and wheat, and harvest the produce when growing season is through.
Adam's wife Malgosia and their daughter Ania are in the kitchen preparing a luncheon for the ever expanding and shrinking group of people who gather here throughout the day and evening. Adam is the man of the house who runs a metal working business and works the farm "as just a hobby" since it no longer earns enough to support them all. He has just come outside to sit on the bench across from me with his cup of coffee to watch me type on my wireless keyboard. Although we don't share much language in common, it is not hard to understand when he holds out both hands to mime "touch typing", say "nie" and then proceed to point one finger and then the next at an imaginary keyboard to show me that he must hunt and peck at his computer instead. Then I point to myself and say "secretary" and he laughs and gets up to return to the kitchen, still shaking his head. This is just one sign of the friendliness and humor with which he and his family has welcomed us.
Yesterday the family joined Father Symeon, the kids, and I as we toured the Niedzica castle situated on a lovely mountain lake about 90 minutes from here. The nine of us took two cars and we wound through the scenic hills dotted with chalets displaying cheerful flower boxes and tiny marian shrines. Most families and indeed the whole country is consecrated to the Virgin thanks to her intercession in times of trouble throughout the ages in response to their prayers.
The church bells are ringing in the distance now and I can hear the rustling of silverware as the table is set for lunch. It is a day for Mass, a visit to the family cemetary plot, a brief rest, and then a trip into Krakow for the afternoon. It is truly a blessing to be in the heart of Europe in the Southern part of Poland, with a family who loves having company and a little distraction from the heavy demands of their work the rest of the year. I teared up yesterday as I told Father Symeon that we could never repay them for their hospitality, but that I hoped that they knew what an honor it is to be with them in this most beautiful place.
Adam's wife Malgosia and their daughter Ania are in the kitchen preparing a luncheon for the ever expanding and shrinking group of people who gather here throughout the day and evening. Adam is the man of the house who runs a metal working business and works the farm "as just a hobby" since it no longer earns enough to support them all. He has just come outside to sit on the bench across from me with his cup of coffee to watch me type on my wireless keyboard. Although we don't share much language in common, it is not hard to understand when he holds out both hands to mime "touch typing", say "nie" and then proceed to point one finger and then the next at an imaginary keyboard to show me that he must hunt and peck at his computer instead. Then I point to myself and say "secretary" and he laughs and gets up to return to the kitchen, still shaking his head. This is just one sign of the friendliness and humor with which he and his family has welcomed us.
Yesterday the family joined Father Symeon, the kids, and I as we toured the Niedzica castle situated on a lovely mountain lake about 90 minutes from here. The nine of us took two cars and we wound through the scenic hills dotted with chalets displaying cheerful flower boxes and tiny marian shrines. Most families and indeed the whole country is consecrated to the Virgin thanks to her intercession in times of trouble throughout the ages in response to their prayers.
The church bells are ringing in the distance now and I can hear the rustling of silverware as the table is set for lunch. It is a day for Mass, a visit to the family cemetary plot, a brief rest, and then a trip into Krakow for the afternoon. It is truly a blessing to be in the heart of Europe in the Southern part of Poland, with a family who loves having company and a little distraction from the heavy demands of their work the rest of the year. I teared up yesterday as I told Father Symeon that we could never repay them for their hospitality, but that I hoped that they knew what an honor it is to be with them in this most beautiful place.
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