Arrival at SFO was an emotional one with my grandfather waiting for us, as we exited the passenger zone and entered into the light we noticed a few tears welling up in his eyes. Little did he know how excited I was to see him! Looking up to see my mom, she too was unable to hold back the tears that she knew would well in light of this extraordinary encounter. We headed out to the car, as we had a little drive ahead of us, and grandad commented in a joiking way that he saw for the first time someone else with our heinously bright green luggage....only to have minutes later a phone call on my father's cell from my mother that some girl had called the house in a panic that we had her luggage. And sure enough we did, or should I say she mistakenly took ours. What a surprise she would have had as most the luggage was dedicated to my wardrobe and blankets and formula (just in case) and other key items that my parents brought in from Paris to ensure my wellbeing.
We eventually made it home to Sacramento where we were greeted by my very enthusiastic grandmother who took me immediately out of mom's arms to coo and to kiss me ALL OVER. All this attention will never get old, never!
It seems that I've arrived in Nirvana for the days that have passed I've been cuddled, kissed, coo'd, rubbed, warmed, hugged, walked, read to, told stories, shuttled, wined and dined, cared for, shuttled in Swedish autos all around town all by my lovely family which only keeps growing - and the accents keep changing which makes it a tad difficult to figure out what they are trying to say, but they all have big smiles when I laugh and even bigger smiles when I cry as they are trying to get me to mimick them - silly people don't they know that crying is part of my charm.
Highlights from my trip:
- Meeting my grandfather and grandmother and seeing my Auntie again
- Being held by my grandfather, grandmother and Auntie
- Being tickled and talked to by grandfather, grandmother and Auntie
- Sleeping in my mother's baby bed (the one she slept in at my age)
- Discovering the garden thanks to some sunny California days
- Walks with mom and Grandfather
- Shopping with mom and grandmother
- Smiling at my Auntie
- Long discussions with my grandmother
- Meeting mom's friends
- Our night out at the Starlight room in SF and dinner at the Burger Bar
- Receiving beautiful gifts from friends and family (espeically my cow from Auntie Marie)
- And last but not least, bringing a smile to the faces of the people that love me most.
Only three months and I've already travelled to 2 continents and 2 capital cities, not bad for a young lad...in about a month I'm headed to London and then to Prague to meet more of the family with the big smiles.
