How I Spent My Life's Vacation

Frightened of death, and reviewing some of the decisions of her life, she consults some of the teachers of her life to glean the wisdom that she will need to step into the afterlife with equanimity

This kaleidoscopic voyage takes her back to the words of Miss Stickler, an ancient high school Latin teacher who is wrapped up in the Trojan War and the passion of Dido and Aeneas and who tries to instill in her students a sense of following one's destiny at all costs

We encounter Professor Flohr, an art history aesthete who is reduced to tears each year when describing Rembrandt's Return of the Prodigal Son because of its ineffable depiction of the act of forgiveness

Along with Aunt Ida, a crusty old woman whose lust for life includes whittling naked angels out of wood - a rugged individualist who promotes rule breaking and suggests that Mary Margaret take life and "swing it around until you make music"

Mary Margaret is also surrounded by earthly supporters. Her husband, Michael, plays bass in the orchestra and has been in love with her since childhood, but as the waiting continues and the fear mounts Mary Margaret puts to the test her husband's patience and devotion, and ultimately their marriage