Last night we began the process of saying our goodbyes to people here. We hosted a 
farewell party at our home for the members of the hip team from the Inselspital. Despite the rainy weather, people from the clinic gathered, many with their children, and we grilled out Swiss-style and drank local beer. After almost a year of their kindness and hospitality, it was the least we could do to say thank you. I also passed out a few t-shirts from Milwaukee’s own Lakefront Brewery as a small token of thanks and encouraged them all to visit us in America.
They had one last surprise for me, though. While we were all sitting outside on the porch, I started to hear a loud gonging sound. It sounded like a Swiss Cow was walking through our house. When I looked through the window into the house I saw my fellowship mentor walking through our living room with a large swiss bell around his neck, ringing away to announce his arrival.
He brought the bell outside and, much to my surprise, presented me with the very same Swiss Cow Bell that I had seen made just the previous week. They had decided to get it for us as a gift. We were all so touched! It added another fond memory that will undoubtedly come to mind when we look at that bell back in our home in America.
You can see pictures of our new bell below:
Joe, Congrats on a year whose memories will last a life time for your family. And what wonderful memories. That bell will have such special meaning and will reverberate with remembrances of the whole year. Thanks to you and
Sarah for allowing us to vicariously live the experience thru the blog. Look forward to seeing you and your family. YLFIL