Christmas in Five Dock

 

 

 

 

Yes, it's been a couple weeks and, in the meantime, the new year (Happy New Year!) and Irini's birthday (Happy Birthday Irinoula!) have come and just about gone, but we're desperately trying to catch up in a chronological order, so here goes:

We were honored and very fortunate to have been invited to Brian's family Christmas this year. They live in a part of town called Five Dock. Laurence noted the oddity of the name as they followed Chechi and Brian across highways and single lane roads. But once they walked through the door, the name of the neighborhood didn't matter a bit. In trued Irish-Australian fashion the family was open and friendly, and the event was filled with dancing, laughter, hugs and great food!  Brian's family included other young children - Bridie and Fergus - who fit in very well with our girls as well. Irini and Amalia loved it. Laurence and Natalia loved it. It was the kind of get-together that just brings one's faith in humanity back to equilibrium. What an open and welcoming family!  What a wonderful group of people to share such a special day with. And the true zest for family life was present in everything they did. Our girls were swept away with the excitement and the presence of presents. Each got a couple of goodies and happily showed them off for the rest of the afternoon (beautiful dresses, barbies and make up kits - Laurence was elated, as you can imagine :P).

The goodbye was a heart-felt one. It was with a great sense of appreciation that we got back into the car (lent to us by Brian, did we mention?) and returned to the hotel.  Natalia and Laurence chatted about how this day stood out. This trip was supposed to be about being with friends. But on this day it seemed more about being with family. Just as it should have been. Merry Christmas, everyone.