Goodbye to Ida

Of all the departures and goodbyes in Kuala Lumpur we knew that saying goodbye to Ida would be the hardest. Ida has been the backbone of our family in many ways for the eight years our children have been alive. They have grown up knowing her and being with her. She has been a key part of the family and though not living with us, we have seen her, shared with her, laughed with her and played with her for the better part of these past eight years. She has made sure that the girls are safe with every passing moment. Our girls have taught her English as they have gotten older and she has taught them some Bahasa. She has brought them rice cakes and been by their side when have sometimes been hurt when mommy and daddy were not around. She has shared her own family history with us, the stories of her two now grown children - and she has cared for Irini and Amalia as if they have been her own children. Ida has been seen dancing around the house, learning how to dribble a basketball, helping with meals and all those little things that are necessary and essential in the life of a family. 

When Ida heard of our decision to move following this academic year she burst into tears and hugged Natalia for long long time. She was dreading the "goodbye" but we knew that it was necessary to give her time and closure with the girls. And so it was that we took her out for lunch, enjoyed some SE Asian food and shared chats and stories before taking her home to say goodbye. Driving away was arguably the more emotional moment of the girls life to date... they cried and cried knowing that we needed to move on but recognising the huge part that Ida has played in their life. Now having left we will do our best to recreate a new normal in our family and, in time reconnect with Ida when both she and we have begun new routines in new environments. 

Wherever we are, whatever we do, Ida will be a very important part of our family history and of our children's being. Thank you for all you've done and for the peaceful and loving spirit that you are, Ida. We love you!