Great to be back, but not home…
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
You know, we had a fantastic time in Miami. It was utterly fantastic to see our family and friends and we got to share what seemed like moments with those we love so much. There aren’t words to thank people that treat us with so much affection and that miss so much, but I’d like to try anyways…
• The FAU Girls – Mabel’s friends at her former job threw her a baby shower on the 19th. complete with cake and plenty of laughs. They were and are a lot more than old colleagues – they are friends that I wish she had close by.
• Family – We had a car to get around in thanks to Mabel’s parents loaning us their new car, we had a place to sleep thanks to Trish and Ralph (and food to eat, and a place for the baby shower and, and, and…), Dad and Adriana flew in from Chicago just to spent time with us and Mom came in from BRAZIL to share the baby shower with us. Far too many to mention came to the party and showed amazing love and generosity (and senses of humor!) with more gifts, clothes and baby essentials that will be profoundly helpful when Zy arrives. Again – thank you comes up short. It was humbling to see the kindness and love with which we’re treated. I can’t thank you enough.
As for the truck above. Well, that was our last-morning welcome across the street. It seems that someone liked the fancy rims on the truck. Really liked them. So much so that instead of waiting to buy some for themselves, they went ahead and took them. Yep – right from the truck, in the middle of the night. Kinda like when my former VFR was “borrowed” before we left. It was strangely familiar. Also familiar was having lunch and joking with Paul (especially nice, since he was heading out of town). We barely got to see Gresi, Wallace and Lily, but it was great to have them come to the baby shower. Thanks to Aileen for giving Joe and I a ride – and to Joe for going out with me like old times. What a shame that we only had a few days since they flew past like they tend to do.
It was actually odd to be in South Florida again. There is a clear sense of familiarity – but it’s not home anymore. As Mabel said to me before I arrived, “it’s so hot!”…it wasn’t, really – but we’re now used to the Bay Area’s weather and lack of cockroaches. That’s not to say that we didn’t love the access to delicious Cuban food and spending time with everyone – it’s just that our home is now here and we can’t wait for more of you to come experience it.
Thanks guys.