Camel Races
Grand Mosque
Ryan's Birthday Dinner..Russell's last night here.Having grown up a TCK..or Third Culture Kid, I became very used to goodbyes and hellos. Anxiously awaiting the arrival of loved ones for a visit tops some of my favorite memories. That first glimpse as they came thru customs was the best. Of course, back then the world wasn't quite so connected either..We talked to my sister very rarely after she left home to attend nursing school, while we moved from Argentina, to Brazil and then a year later to Aruba. But oh! when she came to visit! Nothing beat it. Scott and I would vie for her attention and we made some great memories. I just loved the hellos...but oh! those goodbyes!...They were so hard. And, although I became used to them, they didn't get any easier.
So there we were last nite. Another goodbye to put in my heart. Our time with Russell was so good. I'm thankful for his long visit. It was like he experienced our real life here...not just a snippet of this and that. Sure, we did fun things...dune bashing, skiing, touring the Grand Mosque and so on...but mostly we hung out. He met Ryan's friends. He met our friends. Played Laser tag with Sallie and Robert. Saw one of Ryan's basketball games. Did the grocery shopping with me. And more grocery shopping. Saw what Sallie and Robert do for school. Hung out with Mike as he navigated the maze of trying to get the very simple problem with the license plate repaired(a casualty of dune bashing). Ordered shirts from our Hindu tailor around the corner...AND felt the satisfaction of actually getting what he wanted...:) Simply put...He lived life with us and it felt great.
Today though, I am dealing with the goodbyes...I woke up and his big ol' shoes aren't by the door. His toothbrush is gone from the counter. The book that he left for us to read, is sitting on the couch. It feels empty. As I watched him walk thru customs last nite, I wanted to run and hug him one more time. The goodbyes...man, they are hard.
And if we are here next year...and I'm saying goodbye to both Ryan and Russell. Well, let me tell you...It will not be a pretty picture. Not at all.
By the way, today Ryan is 18. We are so blessed. He is such a wonderful son. Like I said, I don't even want to think about him not being here next year...nope! I'll leave that goodbye for later.
See you later...Mattie
