"Will I need to learn American?"
This was one of the many pressing questions Morayo-Hope needed to have answered. "Yes", her dad teased, to which she said "Can I still learn Shona?"(Zimbabwean native language).
She was our biggest concern when it came to this move. She's so settled in her school and has a good group of friends whom she loves so dearly & one in particular that she has such a strong bond with. Many a week was spent trying to introduce the idea of moving and each conversation was greeted with a resounding "No! I need to see which class I'll be in at senior school!" Well then. But when the moment finally came, it went smoothly and her enthusiasm has been infectious.
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For me, it's been a mixed bag. Naturally I am excited and nevous at the prospect of a new start. I love meeting new people and I have nomadic habits. But on the other hand, the idea of moving away from my nearest and dearest friends is not easy. They are practically family. We have family in the UK who will be missed. Morayo-Hope and Judah's cousins that we had envisioned them growing up with. The fact that neither set of our parents are in the UK has perhaps made this a bit easier.
Breaking the news has been difficult - you are excited for yourself but are also conscious that for those to whom your presence matters a great deal, it is not the happiest news. In some instances I did feel like one who was delivering news of my own death. In those instances it hit me that we live life as though we have all the time in the world when in fact none of us knows when our last breath shall be taken.
I have spent the weeks in the run up to this trip thinking of missed opportunities. I've thought of all the "yes, we must's" and "I'll call you later" that never materialised. Funny how when the choice is taken away you feel you might do things differently given half the chance.
So America here we come. Massachusetts (or Rhode Island) to be exact. The land where dreams are made. The land of opportunity, where - we're told - if you're willing to work hard anything is possible. "Welcome to America! What's your dream? Everyone that comes to America has a dream! What's your dream?" (The funny man from the movie "Pretty Woman", paraphrased ;) )
We're ready to learn American.
**images are of the kids as we arrived into Boston on Monday. Judah was trying to make a run for it as usual!**
New Beginnings
There's nothing like the beginning of a new year to have you feeling energised and full of optimism. I find it has the same effect that moving to a new location does. The opportunity of a fresh start. The chance to meeting new people and build new relationships. A blank page on which to write new memories.
Now imagine the possibility of starting a new year in a New location. What chance 'eh? Such opportunities are rare and so when they come along one finds themselves unwilling to believe it could be so. Until a freezing cold morning - one of those odd days between Christmas and new year when you don't quite know what day it is - a surly man with a thick accent looks at you from behind a glass and says "Your visas have been approved. Passports will be with you within a week."
You look at your husband with a mixture of love and intense pride. He did it. You look at your daughter who you just told about all this last night and whose little head is brimming with questions. These spill freely out of her mouth as she bounces out of the building. "Are we going to the airport now mummy?". "Not quite darling", you reply - determined to sound controlled and dignified as you push the pram, even though inside you feel like climbing the buggy board and scooting the pram down the stairs! You pass the police holding guns and smile nervously. One can never get used to seeing guns.
Then you pass through security where you just had to chuck away a nail clipper on the way in. Finally you're out and all you can think is - it's happening.
A little over a week later you're sitting on a plane, realising there is no dignified way to remove a pomegranate seed that has decided to become one with your tooth. The first page of your new beginnings is just starting. You imagine your arrival at the terminal. You wonder if they'll be as glum as the last time you were there. Or maybe this time they'll smile a little after thoroughly examining the visas. After all their counterparts in London happily issued you.
Maybe they'll even go as far as to say "Welcome to America".
To be Continued....
Life with Judah, it's a musical
We are in the final moments of July as I type this message to you. You turned 3 on the 2nd of this month & I am still in shock at how fast time flies.
The last year has had some tremendous highs and some painful lows. We've been through a lot together. I learned to ignore the milestone emails a while back. They just served as a painful reminder of how far "behind" we were. But as I discovered the joy of celebrating each new thing you do / say; I understood what it meant to live in the moment. To truly savour each day. Your smile is often the first thing I am greeted with each morning - as you've usually climbed out of your cot and made your way into our bed. You grip my neck so that when I make a move, it serves as your alarm clock & you just grin at me. Then sometimes you indulge me spontaneously with a song. Yesterday it was Chris Tomlins "Good, Good Father". You sang it in your beautiful inimitable way.
"You're a good good father, it's who you are, it's who you are, it's who you are;
And I'm loved by you,
That's who I am, it's who I am, it's who I am"
My heart melted. You smiled and sang away, "It's who I am!", and I thought "Yes! That's who you are! A God-loved boy!"
Because sometimes when we spend so much time asking "but why?", we seem to think that because the situation isn't perfect, we've been given "seconds" and not Gods best.
But perfect you are. You are perfect for me. I've learnt patience by you. I've learnt to be kinder to myself and others. I've learnt to be slower. I've learnt to appreciate the little things because they really are the big things.
I love watching you in your favourite place - the outdoors. You're an intrepid explorer so I've nicknamed you Bear Grylls. You could happily live outdoors. You're happiest sitting in the grass singing, or lying in the trampoline singing, or walking amongst the plants - singing.
When we awake, and you beam at me, my world is complete. I never knew a love like that existed. The joy I see in your face when you see me, makes me feel like the only mum in the world.
So we'll sing through our days and dance through the storms.
I love you so much Judah. You are perfect in every way, and I have no doubt in my mind that you will live up to your name: Iyanu ~ a wonder. God's wonder.
Happy Birthday Morayo-Hope
Dear Morayo-Hope,
Today is the last day of June.
I promised you we'd celebrate your birthday for the rest of the month, and I think we have. So now I feel I can really say Happy Birthday my baby.
I promised you we'd celebrate your birthday for the rest of the month, and I think we have. So now I feel I can really say Happy Birthday my baby.
I can't believe you are 5. Mainly because I remember being 5 and it feels like just yesterday. You are such a mature little girl, always surprising us with some of the random things you come out with. You are so thoughtful and kind. Patient with your little brother and fiercely protective of him.
I'm so proud of the person you're growing into. Inquisitive, intelligent, compassionate and a little peacemaker! This year the professions you wish to have when you grow up have varied from nurse to doctor to pilot to astronaut - I can't wait to see what professions this year brings.
This year, as always, I pray you continue to live up to your name - Morayo-Hope Anashe { I have seen Joy, Hope, Has God by her side}. I pray that all your dreams come true - well, maybe except the Ayla-Rose one! I'm not quite ready to be a mum of three just yet!
I am determined to make the most of every single day with you in this next season of your life. You have taught me so much in the last year & being with you makes me want to be a better person. You've made me more patient, and helped me see the beauty in the small things. You've reflected back to me the less desirable parts of my personality and I am endeavouring to change them. I love you so much and can't believe the next time I'll be writing you another one of these letters you'll be turning 6!
Remember to always be yourself, the world needs you as you. Keep laughing. Keep singing. Keep loving ballet. And watch tennis with me. oh yes, and thank you for making me love Pointless...you're kind of a weird kid!
Happy 5th birthday my darling. I'm so proud and honoured to be your mother.
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