Transitions

 

We travel a good deal. This summer was no different. Over the course of six weeks we traveled the equivalent of 26 hours of time zone difference (13 hours each way) and were stuck in jet lag mode for close to 20 days (and nights) or so on four different occasions. Long hours in airplanes were part and parcel of our itinerary. But despite it all it has always impressed us just how good the girls are with these types of transitions. They don't seem to mind the constant moving from one room to another (at least not while we're in transit) and sleeping in different beds is just part of what we do. The summer also involved sleeping in nine different beds, landing in six different countries (including transit points) and even more airport lay overs and waiting areas. There was one stretch that was spent in a different location over a five night period and, still, the girls smiled (mostly) their way across the world and back. It is quite impressive really.

But, of course, it's not all them. It's also mommy and daddy's searching for places to be active, to get a bit to eat, to take a walk, to stretch, things to do to ensure that the space if filled with fun and interesting things whether that is in an airport for 20 minutes or in downtown Madrid for a night. Our girls are travelers, to be sure, and with that comes a whole lot of doin' in a whole lot of places.

Surfin'

We had reserved ourselves to the idea that, though we would get to see Vasil, Stelio, Peter and their families we wouldn't get to see Ralph, Anne and Maria this time around. Somehow the plans got away from each other and one thing led to another and the closest we would get would be a three hour difference in the airport. But then, after getting back from Colombia, we went to a shopping center that also has a playground that our girls love. Daddy was "on duty" as mommy was going shopping. Happily playing around they could not have known that their vacation would get that litlte boost of something... Mommy arrived with the news that she just saw Ralph sitting on a bench...

... one thing led to another and the plans changed and so, as sudden as a cool summer breeze, we got an extra boost for the summer. Only this boost brought with it, apart from the special moments of friendship and second family, also some time in the sun... on surfboards!  

So, off we went with the AD gang, and with Stelio and his troop to boot!  The girls soon realized that this was no regular day at the beach - which would cool in and of itself - but rather this would include some special surfing!  So, as Ralph and Anne and Maria took turns paddle boarding out and back, our girls and Mikaela and Anastasia (and Stelio and daddy) took shots at the smaller of the three boards. It was a great day of playing in the sun and, of course, was topped off by a great taverna meal. It was the perfect goodbye to the Greek sun and beach and sea!  Thank you for being part of our lives!

Pappou -n- Mocca

It would be hard to think of a summer without the smiles of Pappou and Mocca to help add their bit of sunshine to the experience. For us it's imporant, of course, that we have cross-generational experiences that will help our little ones mold their perceptions of family and recognize that love is everywhere (and one need not look any further than Pappou and Mocca to be a witness of that). We were worried for a bit that we wouldn't see much of Pappou and Mocca, but in the end a bonus trip to Colombia was just the ticket (pun intended) to bring us all together for a longer visit. This time, of course, our encounters included a beautiful time in Greece (but only for a few days) followed by two weeks of cross-cultural family time with the assortment of cultural and linguistic diversity that makes us so special. It was a time of laughter, of learning, of sharing, of visiting. It was a time where family in all its forms was there, engaged, intertwined, connected, present. Like family ought to be and, thankfully for us, usually is. 

Abuelita Celita

It's never a proper trip to Colombia unless there are several visits to the matriarch of the family. Abuelita used to be know as just that, abuelita. But now with a new generation of little ones rushing around the house we have to add the clarifying first name as well as another space between the generations. The love and positive energy exuded by Abuelita Celita cannot be oversated. Walking into her house, or her being helped along into ours, brings with it a certain feeling of compassion, of togetherness and solidarity, or pure love. This summer's visit was no exception to that rule. Her smile seemingly filled the entire world and added that much more to our own joy. It was doubly wonderful that, this time, Moca could meet her and Pappou could see her again! These days, at 97, she cherishes every moment with us, and we with her. We managed several visits, some short and others longer, including the Copa America final (Chile versus Argentina) where she sat among the masses of extended family members, enjoying the family spirit and energy. 

There was a long moment, that particular day (but later on as well), when Abuelita Celita and Irini shared some time together. We looked over at some point to see the two of them, separated by 90 years of life yet linked together without effort, sitting next to each other, hand in hand, sharing a whisper, or a smile, a hug or a kiss. It was a special moment and we knew it as it took shape. We watched from behind them as they spent over 30 hour sitting side by side, chatting and watching the game. 90 years of difference, sharing time and space and connection. In some ways, life will never get better than that. 

Needless to say our goodbye was difficult. Tears streamed down our faces as we left for the airport and the girls, as if on cue, also shed some of their own. They were tears of sweet memories and a longing to be together a bit longer, but held back by the knowledge that we needed to get on that plane and head out. Still, the tears were perhaps the most obvious of symbols of our love for Abuelita, who always finds a place in people's hearts. It is obvious to us that her kindness shines on all of us, even when we are so far away.

Amalia's First Read

It started as a regular "let's read a book" kind of thing. We were in Colombia, in TTMouz's room which has a host of old(er) books that he and Avi used to read when they were younger. We found one that seemed about right and nestled into the bed to read it. Daddy began reading Nat the Rat and it soon became apparent that the language and grammar were easy enough for Amalia to remember. 

Daddy finished reading the book only to have Amalia pick it up again. She was still lying next to him with her head on his arm, as is often the case, but this time she began to read it herself. Daddy wasn't sure if she was really reading or if she was just re-stating what she remembered. But then, as she pushed her way through more difficult words, sounding them out as she read and asking daddy for clarification here and there, it became obvious that she was, in fact, reading. She continued to read the entire book, from cover to cover. Daddy lied there, taking it all in. Had Amalia looked up at him she would undoubtedly witnessed a big gaping mouth just inches from her. But, as it was, she just continued working through the book until, finally, she was done. Her immediate present was a yelp and hug and kiss from a very proud father who then announced the feat to the rest of the family. Amalia beamed and carried with her a broad smile for some time. 

She went back to the book over and over again for the next couple days, as it to make sure that she got it right, and finally moved on to other things. And so it begins... now what other books might we find?