Journey into the Past - Part I

Our latest adventure brought us to our homeland for a whirlwind 3-week tour.  We stayed in a total of 5 locations and didn’t stop moving and grooving the entire trip.

As we geared up for our trip stateside I felt daunted by the quest - so many people to see, and so much shopping to do – but really, just the bountiful baggage and logistics were overwhelming enough, not to mention the physicality of getting our bodies to the land of the free and home of the brave, cause this chick ain’t so brave.  I detest, hate, despise flying!  This is a challenge for a girl who thirsts for travel.  I’ve learned to deal with this irrational fear in my own way, with the use of drugs and alcohol.  Now I’m not taking shots and popping copious amounts of pills mind you, but I do partake just enough to remove the edge of utter fear.  While on my magic plane pills and bubbles I find my reasoning ability goes something like this, (said like Crush, the turtle from Finding Nemo, or Cheech and Chong), “well man, if it’s our time, so be it.  At least we’re all together.”  Thus how this girl travels.

Not only do I find flying terrifying, but also such a strange reality.  I do NOT understand the physics of how in the hell a huge steel machine weighing 1,200,000 lbs. (that’s the max takeoff weight of an A380 – no shit!) flies through the air, it’s just weird!  Also, it’s eerily odd that hundreds of people with all their crap, board said steel contraption and share their intimate space and fake air, all while trying not to talk, touch, or bother each other, and then arrive in a totally different location.  Again, it’s just weird!  If you told someone 200 years ago that they would be able to journey through the sky in a steel fuselage they would have burned you at the stake for being a witch.  Humans aren’t meant to fly!  But I’m glad we can cause I love to travel; however I prefer to be on soil.

So, putting aside the weirdness, the flights across the Pacific were, not surprisingly, long, but thankfully pleasant.  We’ve upgraded our travel carrier to Qantas and were thrilled to have our own TV’s!  We didn’t hear a peep from the boys as they were transformed into zombie-like creatures while gazing at their personalized TV.  I want to make-out with the brainiac who came up with that brilliant idea – movies, games, tv shows all on a personalized television – pure genius. 

Once on soil it was fantastic.  Over three weeks we saw the people that love us most in the world, and those we love most.

The Abramowitzes and Gram

Our first stop was Phoenix to visit my cherished AZ relatives in the 105-degree dry, desert pleasantness (sarcasm).  It’s obvious that Reid’s blood boils above 85-degrees because apparently in the AZ heat his legs stop working – “Mummy, my legs just won’t move!”  That part wasn’t enjoyable. 

The highlight was spending quality time with my graceful and beloved grandmother Gram.  At 84 she looks tremendous and is sharper than most.  The boys loved her and during the four days we were there I was awoken with, “Let’s go see Gram.  I can’t wait to see her.”  I have warm, fond memories of my great-grandparents and I feel SO fortunate that my boys get to have memories of their mighty and dear great-grandmother.

Parker giving his presentation

More precious time was spent with my bright and beautiful Aunt Polly and Uncle Steve, they both filled our buckets, and made us feel so special.  Parker gave a presentation on Australia to my Aunt Polly’s school!  He rocked it!  

Then we got one prized day with my dear Aunt Mary, my gorgeous cousin Melissa, her fabulous husband Mike, and their two adorable children Max and Mikayla.  It was far too short, but very sweet.

Steph and Melissa (white girl coming out of winter)

The cousins

Parker and Max, instant buds.

Ten thousand memories and thoughts, high and low, rushed through my veins during these four days.  My grandparents have lived at 835 E Fairway for 45 years.  The house where I spent my childhood was the same, but seen over 38 years of maturity, therefore altered. 

The trees where I dangled and climbed for hours were somehow smaller, the fishpond I accidentally splashed in to at age 7 is filled with dirt instead of koi and lily pads, the slatted swinging saloon door that separated the toilet from the bathroom has been removed, but most of all Papa isn’t there.  His absence is like a hole in the childhood home of my dreams, but fortunate memory.  The garage, where Papa could always be found, doesn’t smell like oil and grease anymore, and it’s lifeless without his smile to greet you and buoyant way of saying, “Howya doing there Stephie?!”  It’s hard to say “Gram” without saying “Papa” immediately afterward.  They were two words, two people, that just went together, like peanut butter and jelly.  I miss that man and his crystal blue eyes, always-positive energy, and beautiful bald head.  But Gram is kicking ass!  She’s the definition of an elegant matriarch and we are all her minions.   

I was also able to visit my father’s grave for only the second time in my life.  Heavy, but truly wonderful.  And that’s all I have to say about that. 

Then it was time to move on…Next stop?  San Francisco!

To be continued...