Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Homecoming

In my last post, I bemoaned our quiet house and contemplated the empty nest phase of our lives. Last night we travelled to the Toronto Airport to pick up our daughter, Stephanie, who has been in Mexico for the past 10 months. She is here for four weeks and will return to San Pedro in mid-July.
We were delighted to see her!
Even the dog is beside himself with joy now that his "den-mate" is home.

Stephanie graduated from university with honours last spring, and was uncertain what to do next. She was accepted for post graduate studies in Toronto, but then decided to go and work with my brother Stephen and his family near Torreon, Mexico.

Photo by Paul Ellsworth

She has been teaching at their English school, organizing children's breakfasts in a poor neighbourhood, coordinating activities for groups who come from America for short term working holidays, and helping with other administrative tasks. She had studied Spanish in school, and has become fluent in the language this year. Learning to adapt to another culture has had its challenges too. I find it is adjustment to return home to our wealthy country after spending just a couple of weeks in Mexico.

I am going to enjoy the next few weeks, which will be busy in a good way. Homecomings are great!

12 comments:

  1. Anonymous9:21 am GMT-4

    Such a wonderful experience for her and I bet you are very happy to have her back for now! Thanks for sharing all this with us!

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  2. I've found an empty nest doesn't stay empty too long. There is always one of them re-appearing. Family is the most important commodity in the world. Enjoy the next 4 weeks with Stephanie!

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  3. Ruth, you should be so proud of Stephanie! What a gift for her to be home with you again, if only for a short while. I know YOU will make the most of it. Brief times with my own daughter when we lived so far away was a blessing.

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  4. How nice for you to have your twins back home for a little while. I hope you all have a wonderful visit.

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  5. I'm glad too that you have a chance to have your twins home for a time. I'm sure you're proud.

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  6. Oh hurray for you--it is so nice when the fledglings return to the nest for a while.
    Enjoy!

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  7. Thanks for your comments- Family is so important, but sometimes separation makes you realize it more.

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  8. Seems that you have been a great influence on your daughter-you have made the world a better place-no small feet.

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  9. Larry- Those are very kind words...

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  10. When I read accounts of young women like your daughter - I feel so grateful. Grateful that the world will be in good hands when we oldsters finally shuffle off.
    I imagine your heart must be very full right now. Enjoy your time together. It's so precious.

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  11. Have fun together! Isn't it interesting to see the paths our children take as they grow up? Our oldest is currently at home and plans to go to Africa with the Peace Corps, early 2008.

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  12. Cathy- I know there are good people in every generation. We don't always hear enough about them as the bad ones get more press!

    AfricaKid- Thanks. I would love to keep my children closer to me, but they have to experience the world and find where they belong. You will have to keep us posted on the Peace Corp in Africa.

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