Sunday, July 12, 2009

1st Family Member Back in USA

I brought Oldest Son back to USA this week. Today I dropped him off at Jewish Sleep Away Camp.

I am soooooooo back in USA. This is how our first 2 hours in USA went. We landed. Got through immigration and customs. Took taxi and dropped off 200 lbs of luggage. Jumped in car immediately to take Oldest Son to swim party with his friends. Can you say thrust back into the “kid social whirlwind?”

Oldest Son said as we rode in the taxi “I am luckier than most of my friends.” He was referring to being in Mexico for a year. At the same time, he was extremely excited to be home in USA and thrilled to be seeing his friends at the party. His emotions are very healthy. He appreciates our adventure while still loving his home. It is not one or the other.

I will mostly have to adjust to the more focused, ubber parenting approach in USA. Today at Jewish Sleep Away Camp I decided it was time for me to leave the new parent (of camper) meeting when a parent asked “The Menu was not posted as of yesterday, when will it be up on website?” Since I have not known what my kids ate at lunch at school for the last year, this just did not seem like something I am overly concerned about …

On the other hand, I was filled with bitter sweetness as I dropped off Oldest Son for 12 days! A parental threshold – my Oldest Son off on his own for the first time. Again, Oldest Son was extremely excited. He is a natural risk taker as shown by the picture taken on our last family outing in Mexico where he is diving off the second level of our excursion boat after we got special permission from the Captain.

I go back to Mexico later in the week for Husband, Youngest Son and I to drive back to USA. Here is what Oldest Son will be doing in USA ...

5 comments:

Steve Cotton said...

And what is bittersweet for the rest of us is knowinjg that we are about to part after a year of you being an almost daily joy in our lives. Thank you for sharing. And thank you for taking the gamble that you took on behalf of your family. This year is going to be a great memory for all of you -- and for us.

ElleCancun said...

WOW - How fast a year can go?!?! I'd have to agree with Steve, and most definitely say thank you for sharing your experience!!

I wonder... Are your kids going to keep up with spanish back in the USA??!!

What a year :)

Leslie Harris said...

So very sad to see you leave Mexico, but such is life! I hope you will continue to blog, if only to keep those of us who followed your journey up to date on the events in your lives!

Jennifer said...

AM - I have enjoyed following your journey more than you will ever know. You and your family had the courage to do something that many only dream about. Thank you for letting many of us live vicariously through you.

Now, as you come back to your US life, try to hold on to the things you loved most about MX. The slower pace, the need to not know every piece of info (as in the lunch!), etc. Strive to keep those things a constant so that MX will be more than just an adventure. It will have been truly life changing for you and the boys.

Frankly Ronda said...

SC - Ahhh - that makes me feel so nice - thank you.

OMT - We are definitely going to do all we can to keep the Spanish up - I will post about it ...

LL - I honestly have not decided what to do with blog. I think I will not do after we get back completely and I have exhausted my thoughts on MX but we will see.

J - I hope we can "hold on to those things" because that is all a part of the gift of this year - the part we keep with us always.