Today’s blog
Lynn Murphy Mark
Home again
As our Uber driver pulled out of the driveway early yesterday morning, Cameron’s sad little face was looking out the window and he was waving. Right behind him was Alexander, wearing his new Iron Man mask, looking fierce. There are no plans for a return visit, so it may be six months before I see those boys again, maybe in honor of Cameron’s late August birthday.
Last night at their bedtime I made a Facetime call to say goodnight. Cameron told me how sad he was feeling as we drove away. All four grandparents in the Uber car agreed that seeing them three times a year is not nearly enough. But travel is not the easiest for any of us, both physically and financially. Except, part of the reason I went back to work was to build up a travel fund for just such occasions!
I have decided that I will start writing the boys an old fashioned letter once a week. I remember as a kid being excited if any correspondence came for me, so maybe I can start that for them as well. I went online and ordered some sticker books with which to decorate said letters. Hopefully I will be able to think of enough to say that might interest a four year old and a five year old.
It was a whirlwind visit – short and busy, as they always tend to be. Having four out of town relatives in the house ratcheted up the energy level in those little bodies, as did the promise of a birthday celebration. Cake and presents! Cake and presents! And, at Alexander’s request, home made mac and cheese for his birthday dinner. I think Grandma Nana and I went through three bottles of sauvignon blanc wine in the process. That helped.
And here we are, home again. The first order of business was to get Mollie Dog from the kennel. She was happy to see us and pulled hard for the car when we left the place. Her report card said she was nervous for most of her stay. That’s who she is much of the time, after being so abused for years. But she settled right in as soon as we got home and we’re back to business as usual.
I’m going to work today. We are moving offices this week. When I say “we”, I mean Mayflower movers will be carrying literally tons of paper files and furniture to our new location further downtown on Market Street. There are four floors of people and programs in our current building, so it’s not just an ordinary move. It will no doubt take the four days that are allotted to get stuff into the new building.
I have my people neatly packed in plastic bins marked with my name and “Immigration Program”. My biggest fear is that all 40 of them will wind up somewhere they don’t belong and I will spend next week trying to find them. Some of my cases need immediate attention. If I can, I will unpack the three files that are burning a hole in my brain today and try to get some work done on them. I was not smart enough to place them at the top of the packing crate…
The earthquake in Turkey worries me. I have three clients living over there and I don’t know if they are in harm’s way. I will call their family members that are here and see if they know whether or not their loved ones were affected by this tragic event. My CNN feed this morning says that the death toll has surpassed 11,000 souls in Turkey and Syria.
What a contrast it is to leave two grandchildren behind and then re-enter the world as I know it most days. I am so grateful to have had four full days with the little guys. Once again, I tip my hat to Jackie, who has her hands so full with boys and work and running a household. If I had a hero this trip, it was her.