NO MATTER HOW MUCH I HAVE TO SAY, I HAVE A WHOLE LOT TO SHOW
Hello, England and hello to you! Safe and sound I'm released from plane
safety belts and less confused because of time difference. It's nice to
be back when you carry a handful of things reminding of what has just
been a daily occurrence. Common things haven't brought us more happiness
than lately. Just take a look at the photos of our old town and you
will understand why after a week on the British soil we've been still
adjusting to living as a threesome. I am hoping we can figure out a way
to prolong the awareness of having all family so close we could visit
them any day we wanted. One awesome holiday can do that to you. First time flying with a three year old equipped with books, dolls and Haribo bears
wasn't that scary after all. Nadia was more curious than tired after
gluing her tiny body to mine by throwing hands around my neck and being
carried among luggage, endless feet and stairs. I loved that part best
as having her so fragile and innocent dissolved in my arms gave me an
enormous strength through the softness of her skin and trust she
bestowed upon me throughout early part of the journey. It was neither
plane nor taxi she spent hours in but my very own arms.
I am quite confident placing feet on foreign soils, slightly anxious but incredibly excited and in an awe of what lies ahead. This time I was welcomed by familiarity and predictability in the best of their forms. I opened my mouth to speak and it didn't surprise or turn heads. We greeted our two mums and Damian's father among people gradually unveiling their existence in Nadia's life. Eyes were on her and her interest revolved around others as well as material things: mostly hidden in cabinets or displayed on glass shelves above her hand level. Grandmas couldn't resist having her all to themselves so this left us no choice but to enjoy giggles and hand holding on the side or late evening outgoings.
The next day we visited more family, ate more delicious food (tons of raspberries picked up from the garden and cherry tomatoes still warm from the sun), took snaps of town I had to discover again. My need to pause the time was greeted with family disbelief (the fact carrying my camera with me everywhere I go has a tendency to take over every outing and soon became agreeable habit) and a huge interest of passers by when I directed lens onto the ugliest building or least amusing part in a street life as pigeons fighting over breadcrumbs. Before lunch we walked to dad's allotment garden through cemetery as the outside path was closed due to the enclosure serious work. In no time the cemetery will look presentable and will be monitored overnight (the only reason to maintain a close watch on such a great space we came up with is probably to be the first parish to ring the alarm in case of resurrection). Nadia then tried to befriend a dog (calling his name and running for her life or hiding in my arms when he responded was her way to entertain us as we watched her excitement grow), picked flowers, weeded strawberry beds with her grandma. Each time she wanted to go for a pee pee, she called the closest person to her and went behind the bushes (what a natural fertilizer). During those two weeks she was so good with going to the toilet that no accident was noted, nappies were super dry in the morning and she even called to go to the loo in the middle of the night. It's more than we were expecting. Coming home we talked about how the garden had expanded, I was robbed of a piece of mind all busy evening with family because of Damian's entertaining skills with his accordion sweet tunes (couldn't think of anything else but to slide into bed with this man) and was looking through more old toys and leftovers of our teenage years (books, birthday cards, forgotten gifts my mum would never throw away just as I would never part with cute Nadia's clothes when she was a baby).
From my mum's flat we headed to the town center to see a thing or two, Nadia was pushing our jackets in a stroller, a discovery of a nut flavour ice cream sent us straight to melting heaven and we bought several children's books. While having a cold treat in a restaurant I loved the idea of coming here with a friend after work or retail therapy for some refreshing drink or warm cappuccino overlooking the square with its multitude of strangers. Evening was dedicated to a family visit with a bottle of whiskey and prediction of an interesting start. And it was indeed, small price to pay for a cold welcome and a warm goodbye (and gave us an idea to purchase our own cappuccino coffee machine).
2 comments
This post was a great reminder of how fantastic holiday it was. You summed it up perfectly.
ReplyDeleteEasy transition from work to rest ;)
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