Back together again

We are back together. The four of us after having been separated for two weeks. And it feels really good to all be back in the same place. Bickering. Arguing. Disagreeing but at the same time loving each other and grateful we are back together.

My husband and daughter went to pick our son up from his programme on Saturday morning while I got everything ready for us to check out of the townhouse we had rented. Readying us to go on the next leg of our journey to see the matriarch of my husband’s family. Readying for the last leg of our journey.

And before I knew it they were back. My son seeming taller than just the night before when we left him. Excitement shining from his eyes. Producing his report card and graduation certificate showing that he had graduated from a tough course at Oxford University. Wiser than when he left us. Telling us how much he realises he needs to buckle down and study more because he has seen just how clever the other children are from different parts of the world.

Telling us about how he has made friends with people from all over the world. His contact list now including people from Russia, India, Romania, China, America, Africa, Japan, Pakistan, Germany, to name a few. How he met one guy from Africa who was originally from Hong Kong who speaks 7 different languages. With his English being just as good as any English speaking person. Telling us he really needs to pay attention in his language classes because he realises what an advantage it is to speak more than one language.

Our son back with us grown from his experience. Debating now as to whether he wants to go to Boarding School. Something before he never wanted and neither did we but now he has tasted freedom. Tasted being on his own and realised it is not as bad as he thought. His sister protesting saying he can’t leave for boarding school. He has to stay with her. The two of them cuddling and staying very close to each other for the whole weekend. Arguing as usual but grateful nonetheless for being back together.

Sometimes seeing the baby in them both as they clung to each other. Sharing a very special brother sister bond that my husband and I love to see. Though they argue and fuss, they always have each other’s backs. My son telling his sister his deepest secrets. She him. The love and trust between them so special and we are so proud they share this bond.

The four of us back together. Different and changed but back together nonetheless. Taking our last leg of our journey together on the train up to Newcastle, England. Looking at my family and feeling so grateful for us. For our love. For our togetherness. For our differences and similarities. The dynamics that keep us together even on those times when each of us wants to go in a different direction. But what we know deep down inside, we will always be together because of the intimacy we share.  So grateful for my family and our love.