...kah-say-yo

This past sabbath, we had to bid a fond farewell to our friends of the past four years. The Kims moved here from Korea so that Peter could complete a smartypants master's residency program thing for dentists at BU, and so Helen could come and be my friend and have two babies (who are American-born U.S. citizens, huzzah!) and throw parties with killer kim-bap. On Saturday, I just kept telling Helen how much she inspired me, and I think she probably thought I was just bidding my best American Hallmark adieu, but seriously. She is good people. Peter is good people. Their kids are sweet little muffin-faced muncharoos that always share their snack packs in church. Good people, Kim family.

Peter and Helen really have It when it comes to being those super successful people who immigrate to a foreign land where the primary language spoken is not their own. They just have What It All Takes. They are incredibly positive, and such students of culture and geography and nuance. Helen especially is my hero. I would constantly see her at the most random corners of the city, just hoofing around kicking up dirt with her stroller. Of course, I am also a bit of a gypsy (or I wouldn't also be at those random street corners), but when I, for instance, find myself at Harvard Square without my wallet and zero dollars left on my MBTA pass and no frigging clue how I am going to get home in the rain with a babe in a stroller...I can call people who work at Harvard Square who will come downstairs from their office perch and spot me $5 (thank you, Josh Poupore). Helen, on the other hand, did not have it so easy. But girlfriend was still a total intrepid. And she probably had some killer kim-bap in her back pocket to boot.

Oh and did I mention that Peter and Helen had a baby last year whose heart valves were not connected properly and totally watched a miracle named Olivia go through open-heart surgery at 2 days-old? Because they did. In a country that is not their homeland. Speaking with doctors who do not speak a lick of Korean. Operating on their daughter whom they had only just met. Today Olivia outweighs my 2.5 year-old and that is just riiiiidiculous. God's hand has truly been at work in their lives. Their faith, their mettle has been tested so much over the past four years, but they have emerged and they have taught me so much in the process.

I think the only thing I ever taught Helen was the concept of "monster-in-law." So naughty. You're welcome!

*** Sweet Olivia and Papa Peter

Baby Girl making lovey eyes at Justin

Palpable

There were moments when I could see it, feel it on her face.  Moments of recognition that, This is Love.  Love is here. I am known, loved, counted among the special. I saw my daughter fall in love with her family, her extendeds, people whom she has only known through quarterly visits and digital images.  I could see her melting into their hugs and finding the arc in their laughter where trust and vulnerability live.

7 days in Ohio, in the home where I got busted multiple times for getting nail polish on cherry oak furniture, where I played endless games of Uno, where I learned how to read and read my mother's angry face and fell asleep under lit Christmas trees in a California Raisins sleeping bag.

Now my daughter sleeps on that floor, in the same California Raisins sleeping bag, and wakes up to a different hum in the morning than I remember, but one no less sweet.

Oh how it pained me to leave, but double the torment of pulling my baby girl away from this fanclub of fandamily.  Little Man will come to know the club soon and well enough in time.  But this last visit was monumental for Baby Girl.  She has inside jokes with her Uncle Mikie.  She has special songs with her grandparents and there are toys retained in their basements only for her.

I have believed for the last couple of years that this wide geographic divide between our families was overrated.  And after this last visit home, I am convinced that it is downright cruel.  But I'm trying to be content in the present and hopeful for the future and keeping a look-out for opportunities....lots of opportunities.....

The land of Cleve, on the shores of Erie

Go Buckeyes

Do the grandmothers in your family enjoy giving children baths as much as mine seem to?

Auntie TP

Baby Girl was so stoked to have cousins. She had prior to this told me about imaginary cousins that had given her presents...

Chillin' with Uncle Mikie

My wonderful in-laws came to have lunch on sabbath at my mama's. I made quinoa. It wasn't terrible.

My mama. My baby.

Swimming at my old man's

I Am Proud

I am proud... - of my mother-in-law, who learned at the age of a number that rhymes with nifty-hive, to ride a bike.

- of my old man, who successfully sent me his first text message for the first time the other day; it was signed "Pops."

- that Michelle Obama is our First Lady. I adore the Michelle.

- of my brother-in-law and sister-in-law who moved cross-country, given a week's notice, to start a whole new life.

- of Little Man, who sits quite confidently in his Bumbo seat whilst mama attempts to sell clothes on e-bay that she has accepted will never fit her again.

- that even though I may never be a size skinny petite pant again, I am kicking my own toochis 6 days a week pushing a double stroller.

- of the City of Boston's recycling program. I think it's pretty comprehensive.

- of my friend Katherine, who became a mother in April, and who inspires me by her beauty and dedication.

- of everyone that has done work overseas, particularly in God's service.

- of my sister TP who took a big risk in job land and found something yummy.

- of my brother Mikie for many reasons, most recently for his attitude about sharing his birthday with a wake.

- of my mother, who has gamely worked her way into government management.

- of Lovey Loverpants, who has recovered quite brilliantly from pneumonia.

- of Baby Girl, who can spit back a book to me verbatim after only hearing it once (!!).

- of the collection of people I am honored to call friends who live in my community; they are all decent, hard-working, and generous souls.

- that I am learning to channel my anger over certain things in positive directions.

- that I was able to resurrect this website after it crashed a couple of weeks ago.

- of you when you leave me a comment telling me what of what you are proud :)

*** My wee little expressive man