Our trip to Switzerland wasn’t the usual tourist trip. We didn’t try to see the whole country in a few days. It was more of a healing visit. A time to relax and renew our tired souls; it just so happened it was a gorgeous place to do so. The weather was warm, but not too warm. Cool in the mornings, heating up in the afternoons. A much-needed break from our hot summer in the States, it felt more like fall to us.

It was plenty hot enough to take a swim in Lake Zurich and we did so on our first day. I say a swim, but it was more like a float. The climb down the ladder into the water was eye opening and breath taking because the water was so cold! Just what our jet lag needed to wake us up! We had floats (which took us an hour to blow up) to hold onto so the waves from all the passing tour boats didn’t pull us out into the middle of the lake. The 360-degree views of sailboats, hills covered with lake homes of all shapes and sizes, glorious sunny skies, and deep green waters were like something out of a picture book.

In the shade of a big walnut tree beside the water, it was not hot at all. Our blankets were perfect for stretching out under the branches and napping. We spent the afternoon and evening just relaxing. Basking in the fall-like weather, which was amazing after our days at home in the 100s, was a special treat. A picnic by the lake was the perfect dinner and welcoming to this incredible country.

The cool of the next morning begged us to come for a walk across the countryside. We obliged. We walked, surrounded by lovely flowers and pastoral scenes to a memorial sculpture. There were signs which told stories of those who had been lost. Another sign had drawings of the surrounding area including the mountains that were supposed to be visible in the far distance. High fog prevented us the view of the distant Alps, but the close-up hills were dotted with Swiss houses and farms that gave us countryside vibes.

A quick visit to old town Zurich for lunch turned into an afternoon of wandering the city. In and out of shops, churches, and cafes. It’s a city much older than our whole country…so much to see…old buildings, cobblestone streets, shops, clocktowers, and churches. Street after street. The sky was deep blue with puffy white clouds and the water of the river shone like diamonds sparkling in the sun. It was especially meaningful when Izzy took us to a church that Mom and Dad had visited when they came to see her in 99. Just knowing they had stood in the same places gave us a sense of them being with us.

I love places where I can feel the history speaking to me. My imagination wanders to what the cobblestones would say if they could speak. What are the stories trapped in the walls and stained glass of the churches? If the clocktower could converse what would it tell me about the days long passed? So many voices. So many stories. Now ours is added into the history of the stones; where we walked, seeking out those who came before us. It ended up to be a longer day than we anticipated and we were happy to head home for some down time before dinner. A chatty, but quiet evening around the table rounded out our day and allowed us to catch up with Izzy on all the years we have been apart.

We continued our catch-up session the next day back at the lake. Another picture-perfect weather day. Lots of blue sky. A bit chillier, so no swimming. Still the peaceful time spent beside the water, dozing in and out of sleep between laughs and memories, was just what we needed. In the evening, we got the chance to meet Izzy’s grown children over a 60^th birthday dinner for her. Ellen, her daughter, was a bubbly breath of fresh air. David, her son, was a calm steadfast presence adding in his thoughts (when there was a space to do so, haha). Such amazing young adults, not that we were surprised. Izzy raised them, after all. Our nephew David joined us at the restaurant for his last evening with us and we had a long lazy dinner. Lots of wonderful conversation, and amazing food! It was such a joy to meet them and to be with them. It felt as if we had known them forever. A family connection.

We met more of our Swiss family on Wednesday. A trip to a cousin’s chalet for a lovely lunch (salad straight out of the garden!) was highlighted with adorable chalets all the way up the hills and around the lakes. The clouds hung low and eventually released their loads, but not before we were able to spend some time for tea in her amazing flower garden. Again, the Alps hid from us, but we didn’t mind because the company was delightful. On the way back, we stopped in Lucerne to visit an aunt who welcomed us to her warm home with more food and drink. At one point, I had to put my hand over my glass to stop her from adding more! It was a pleasure to meet Izzy’s family and spend quality time with both women, who took us in with open arms as if we belonged to them.

Thursday was Chocolate day. We filled our backpacks to take home with Swiss chocolate, which is the smoothest, creamiest in the world. Years ago, anytime Izzy came to visit our family once she was back in Switzerland, she brought a suitcase filled with chocolate of all kinds. We carried on that tradition by finding sales and loading up for our families. On our way home, we even tipped our shuttle driver and the guy who helped us with our bags with it. Let’s just say, we were well liked at the airport.

With the chocolate bought and secured, we lunched at a rooftop café with amazing food and views of the business district. Then we strolled through the streets to a labyrinth in Zurich which was surrounded by a wildflower garden. It was a popular lunch spot so we didn’t get to walk in silence, but it was still a special place. Two sparrows landed together among the brambles and stayed with us for a bit. Being that this trip was a trip to reconnect and remember, a labyrinth was an appropriate activity to receive more winks from Mom and Dad.

On our very last day we went back to a little shop where we had seen some little sculpted ladies in the window. Our first day in Zurich, the shop was closed, but those little ladies were something Mom would have bought herself. Whimsical. Fun. They were calling to us, so we went back. Turns out they were not wooden as we had thought, they were clay! So of course, we had to have one. We struggled to pick out one for each of us, but in the end, we managed to find the ones who spoke to us the loudest for purchase. The rest of the day we filled our bags with souvenirs, toys for my grandboys, a mug for me; our attempt to take our warm feelings home with us. For lunch we had some of the best cheese fondue I’ve ever eaten.  

We rounded out our week with Izzy’s homemade hot chocolate with spices and cream, and conversation late into the night. At the airport the next day the hugs were long and the tears were real. Such a healing trip. Such a needed space. Such a breather from the grief of the day to day. The whole point from our anonymous benefactor was to come home lighter than we left. Mission accomplished.