Visit

Last night as I was on the bus coming home from Sofia with my mom and Robert, I realized she is 70 this year, and she made the trip all the way here in the winter because I needed her. She was planning on coming in the spring, when it would have been much nicer and much easier for her, but I needed her here and she came. She must love me. I AM lucky.

I once wrote her a letter for her birthday instead of buying her a gift, because I was in Korea. It was about balance, and the fact that I have had a balanced life because she made up (ten fold) for the lack of a father in my life most of the time. When she first got the letter, she said she loved it and cried every time she read it. I still cry when I read it. But then she didnt mention it again. My mom is known to have a not-so-great memory, so I chalked it up to her forgetting about it, and in the back of my mind thought she will read it anew one day.

Well last night she brought it up, and of course we both got teary. She brought up the exact part I mentioned above, and really that is the part I want her to remember. She did more than make up for lack of a dad. She did make our lives complete. She was both parents for me for most of my life. And then I wonder why I can handle so much? Fortunately in this case it seems I am similar in these traits and dont get overwhelmed at taking on a lot. After all, its scientifically proven that woman can multi-task better than men.

So after all that, practically speaking, Im thrilled my mom made it here in one piece. I now have my negs from Cambodia, Tahiland and Iran (which were left in Korea THANKS SO MUCH ALLISON) and I have a few other things she brought me to make life better; a new computer, my Kilim, and so on and so forth.

I will have a great visit for 2.5 weeks with them, and will take them to Plovdiv and Varna. Then 2 days after their departure, we I will go to Manchester for 2 weeks. I already have my ticket, and 17 days will fly thanks to mom and Robert.

Life is suddenly looking better.