I relished the prospect of staying with my Dad, Step-mum and little Bro and Sis in N.C. First of all, I've had trouble shaking a cold which has been migrating around my chest and head with the persistence and form of a ragged poltergeist. My offended lungs balked at having worked the max 40 hours/ week during my illness. Sleeping normal hours and getting on a regular eating schedule seems to be helping me to get better.
Oh and the food. oh my god: The Food. My Dad and T (step mumsie) rock the foundations of culinary genius every night. The table is always draped in linen and adorned with silver ringed linen napkins- a fitting formality for a the ritual of nightly family dining. The first night we ate made-from-scratch bacon cheddar soup. The it was Penne-al-la-vodka with delicious melted blue cheese garlic bread. Last night topped the charts with my Dad's unbelievable Beef bourguignon. Dear God I ate so much I nearly tore a hole in the lining of my stomach.
The pain in my lower left side grew from the moment i set down my fork and persisted keenly while i washed dishes. Soon my breathing was so labored that T recommended a certain position that would alleviate the pain...I assumed this position immediately on the kitchen floor where my Dad and Brother Bear and Sister Bear promptly exploited my vulnerable position.
As if that's not bad enough, after a few minutes of gentle harassment I went into the living room for some peace....my turbulence ridden full to bursting insides were relentless...as was my family's mockery...
In-family mockery must be common. With my older step-siblings there is no end to the light-hearted jabs we are continually making at each other. It is the same in my Dad's house, where our pet-peeves are often used as fodder against easily bemused sensibilities and where laughter can always lighten a load and say without words how much we love one another.
See here how much my dad loves me:
And here is my brother bear and sister bear, enjoying the goofiness of over sized sunglasses
Then there's my Dad again assuming the evil villain with the napkin- ring -in -the -eye look.
It is amazing to see how much brother and sister bear are going up. Brother Bear is traversing that transitory stage between boyhood and manhood. He's thoughtful and intelligent and wildly funny and creative-a little carbon copy of his mum and dad. My little sister bear is on her own flowering path to growing up. Though initially shy, she is flagrantly outspoken and witty. Her imagination is unshakably vibrant. The two of them are personified joy.
The day of my arrival here, before even setting foot in the house, I went straight to my sister bear's school to watch her accept an award for scholastic achievement. I was in a room full of vivacious, healthy, beaming children. They all had arms and legs and shining clean faces. I was overwhelmed with emotion for the contrast of these healthy happy children to that of those in Cambodia that I couldn't hold back a few earnest tears.
After visiting the landmine museum in Siam Reap I became truly thankful for the protected and supportive shield of influence that protect my unknowing brother and sister bear. Spending time with them now seems to be of utmost importance. They are growing up fast, and these family moments are marking the passage of time with ferocious speed.
I spent the weekend enjoying my wonderful family-their cuisine and antics, and resting while getting better little by little. I've not been sleeping so well with disturbing dreams, night sweats, or nocturnal sneezing waking me from deep sleep. I did get to sleep-in today, but I probably slept too much as what sometimes happens.
So I worked on my resume, my blog, and kept up with CNN. I didn't get my paws on a NYTimes this weekend, breaking my New Years resolution but oh well, i suppose I could read it online. There just isn't enough hours in the day. I picked up a book about the early development of navigational equipment and theory that attempted to solve the problem of longitude...very interesting, but I've eaten already through most of it.
Ha i'm a book eater.
Should have ample time this week to post more. See yizall soon.
Croftee
1 comment:
That was lovely. :)
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