Random notes on the final day of our WYD travels

TUESDAY, JULY 22

A couple of notes after arriving back in Denver...

-- Because it was David Hall's birthday, there was a constant reminder in the form of the group singing "Happy Birthday" many times throughout the 30-plus hour journey.

-- The pilot of our first flight, from Sydney to Seoul, took a couple of minutes after we boarded to welcome us and share his thoughts on World Youth Day. He said he'd never seen anything like it, was very impressed and moved by it and he congratulated everyone on a memorable week. The plane erupted into applause and cheering. As the pilot gave his final message to prepare for landing, he touched on WYD again, encouraging everyone to go back and make the world a better place. I was quite moved by all of this. Let's say a quick prayer of thanks for this pilot!

So we're back and will be processing this experience for some time to come. I hope to share some of those reflections in the Aug. 1 Herald and here on the blog. And now it's time to reacclimate to the time change...