24 October 1997 was one of those days for me. I arrived at the Traverse City airport in Michigan, to meet the host-family that I would spend 13 months with as their au-pair. I had just come from spending a (rushed) au-pair orientation week in New York City, on my first ever trip abroad. And what a first trip it turned out to be! The Suminski family was initially not the family I had hoped to go to. But the Lord has a sense of humour, and He knows which people would appreciate the things that others would consider quirky or strange… :) What ensued was a year of unexpected adventures, heart-felt generosity, a game of golf on Beaver Island, more Nutty-ness and a bag of remarkable memories big enough to fill the Pacific Ocean a million times :)
Fast forward to 12 August 2012. It has been nearly 14 years since my return from the USA, and we had somehow managed to regain contact through the marvellous wonder that is Facebook. After a couple of months’ worth of correspondence and planning, the Suminski’s came walking through Terminal A arrivals at OR Tambo International Airport, en route back to the USA. Seeing them after so long, was almost surreal. Of course, seeing the boys after all that time, and meeting their sister, was phenomenal and scary at the same time (they were 2.5 and 1.5 yrs old respectively when I left the USA). It is in moments like those that one realises just how fast time goes by. And one cannot help but wonder how much of life we manage to miss along the way through fussing, fighting and just really silly stuff that grabs our attention and distracts us from what matters. (Life is what happens when we’re making other plans…?)
But there wasn’t too much time to ponder that, as they were only going to be here for a week, to experience the Kruger Park…mainly :) What I had bargained for was a week of getting up really early, trusting for them to have amazing sightings of the Big Five, and show them true South African hospitality. What I had not bargained for was the amount of fun, laughter and good old Off-centredness that came with all of that! :) It was like we had picked up where we left off in 1998, when I returned to SA. The boys were perhaps a ‘little’ older…sure. But what a treat it was to not have any awkwardness, and to ease back into conversations. Those conversations mostly involved the use of puns and punchlines, which meant that I was pretty much in my element…! The word “om-nom-nom-nivore” is an expression I will treasure and put to great use in future! However it was the time spent with them – regardless of the sightings or lack thereof at times – that truly blessed my heart. It also helped that they had a true appreciation for the smaller things in Kruger too, and that they were not just out to see the Big Five everyday…although we saw most of them every day :) It all reminded me of the main reason that I had had such a wonderful time during my stay in the USA: Them.
Of course, another highlight was to get to know the boys (and their sister) again for who they were now, what their interests are and just generally coming to the tangible realisation of just how long it has been and how much they have grown up. On a deeper level I think that the week has given me a deeper realisation of the contentment and reward that lies in having children. I had absolutely nothing to do with the boys growing up. But somehow it was as if a part of me couldn’t help but feel proud of the young men they were turning into. And the logical conclusion that I am making is that, if I am feeling that, I can just imagine what their parents feel like. Of course this is not making light of the everyday challenges that come along with raising kids. But if I was not sure before about whether I wanted children or not, I would say it’s pretty much settled now that I would love to. Whichever way the Lord wills it, I am now probably more settled in the matter than ever.
As you may imagine, seeing them off at the airport was unexpectedly more difficult than I had anticipated. Though I must say that the final game of Ninja Warrior did make it a little easier… :) I have come to realise that it truly is possible to have extended family...effortlessly sometimes. I am now convinced time does not mar the relationships that really matter in our lives - 14 years can be made to look like no time apart if we realise the value of true friendships…and the importance of puns in everyday conversations :)
Sometimes "off-centre" makes for a more artistic photograph...and more often than not, "off-centre" people make life a whole lot more beautiful...and makes one's own "off-centredness" somewhat of a strength! :) It was a treat and an honour to be completely 'artistic' with my American family this past week. It's good to have one's inner Elephantom and Om-nom-nom-nivore surface every once in a while... :) Here's to seeing one another again very soon...
