Friday, May 01, 2009

Kith and Kin

Tomorrow I will be posting a blog my mother wrote about her visit to Cairo. She wrote this post in March shortly after I arrived in Toronto but I never got around to posting it because I’m a git. Before I share her wonderfully witty words, I wanted to take a moment to comment on how grateful I am to have such an understanding family.

I have always been the first person to joke that the reason my family gets along so well is that we all live so far apart. In fact, day before I left Toronto was the first time that my family has been together in the same place at the same time in almost 11 years. But what I realized as my brothers and I joked around, insulted each other, and were generally pains in the butt to my parents was that family is a pretty cool thing to have around.

You see, I showed up at my parent’s doorstep with literally 24 hours notice and asked them not to ask too many questions. And you know what? They welcomed me home, fed me amazingly yummy food, went shopping with me, watched countless hours of CSI with me, and didn’t ask too many questions.

My take home lesson from the past two months is that you never, ever stop being a parent no matter how much you may want to take a vacation. I listened to my mother fret about my brothers and while she worried over me, and was forced to laugh at those people who think that parenting ends when your child turns 18 and goes off to college. Eighteen, it turns out, is merely when the problems turn from teenage woes into full-blown, adult-sized issues.

So I’d like to take this moment to thank my parents for tidying up the guest room, ignoring my melancholic angst, breaking their diets, and generally putting up with my nonsense. I know that I’m vaguely annoying, annoyingly vague, and a royal pain in the knitting bag, yet you still put up my fabulous self. Thank you for not looking too relieved when I said was going back home to Cairo. And thank you for being my parents.

13 comments:

theUngourmet said...

So true that you never stop being a parent! And I love your pain in the knitting bag description!

N said...

Your parents are so sweet:)

Hi! I'm Janola. said...

Glad you had a good visit with your family. Oh, how I miss knitting! I just don't know enough of the local language to find any good yarn. Last bit I bought was in Amman, Jordan, and it was an acrylic blend. I prefer 100% wool or other natural yarns.

Anyway, will be back in the USA early June and am looking forward to visiting my local yarn shop for a good fix!

BTW-Ribbit is very cute! The scarf is a nice touch.
*hugs*

LadyFi said...

I nearly gave up on seeing a new post - and suddenly, I realize I've missed three posts!

So, glad to hear you are back and, hopefully, feeling better and stronger for your long visit with your family.

Thank goodness for families, eh?!

The Noles Family: USA to Egypt to Greece to Texas to Italy said...

I love reading about your visit! As someone who has been on her own since 15 I can say that anyone who has parents into their adult life is truly blessed. I have 2 grown sons and while I don't think one ever stops being a parent I believe that my role has changed to adviser. It's great to always be able to go home.

Kathy B! said...

Your parent sounds like lovely, wonderful people. I'm so happy that you have them in your life.

Anonymous said...

You don't even need any notice to "drop by". I must admit the shoppping was fun!
You are always welcome anytime--until your father gets that one bedroom apartment he has always been threatening to purchase for us. :)
merthyrmum

Dawn Parsons Smith said...

What a lovely tribute to what sound like amazing people!

lizzy-loo said...

lucky you to have somewhere to run to. we all need that at times. i am really glad you are back. loved ribbit. i have a few knitting projects in my basket as-well.

Gutsy Living said...

I'm back. I haven't heard the latest and thought I should check on you. I should read your previous posts to see why you stayed with your parents. You're right, my Dad still talks to me like I'm his young daughter and I'm 51. It never ends.

Connie said...

You are as lucky to have your family, as they are to have you! I'm an orphan now... at my age, with parents who didn't have kids until they were 40... is it surprising and shocking. Yes. Fortunately I am blessed with good in-laws (:-)

Christine Gram said...

So true! Yeah for great families.

Amanda said...

I tell the same joke and remember how much I like having my family around as soon as I step back through the door.