My parents have been staying with us for 11 days and will be with us for another week. They live 6 hours away from us, and so having them with us for an extended period of time is a gift, and a dance. I call it a dance, because we are learning how to all fit into place and to take care of each other and ourselves while we spend this extended quality time together, while not stepping on each others’ toes.

My mama is so helpful and wants to take care of us. She helps me clean my house, cooks dinner, makes coffee for us to share in the middle of the day, volunteers with me at school, loves on my kids and keeps me company. She also keeps the laundry flowing and put away, and I’m sure I’m forgetting 103 other things. Oh and did I mention she helped me unpack and sort and organize our 73 boxes from Holland?

My pops finds house projects to do to help us out and to keep busy. Our screen door that kept falling off the tracks now glides so easily thanks to some candle wax and a clean track. The sliding door is now easy to slide open too. The workbench has been cleared off and all tool related stuff has been organized too. Today my dad built me a paddle board cart so I can easily carry my board from my car to the water without having to carry them over my shoulder.

He helps my kids with their math homework and is teaching them discipline, helping to raise them to be responsible and intelligent. It takes a village. He also walks Charlie to school and has dropped off and picked up the other two too. He also helps with the dishes after dinner, and washed my dirty car. Tomorrow he is going to take Charlie to his soccer practice and the kids out to dinner, while my mom and I go to a meeting. How lucky am I?

I am thankful they are here and that they are able to share their love and gifts with us. It makes me aware how important family is and how so many of us, especially as Expats or living in Silicon Valley, are not living closely to our extended family. We miss out on this family connection and village support that helps us to raise our kids and share our lives and learn and grow together. I don’t think there is a real substitute for this, especially when your family is functional. I am going to miss them when they leave. But for now I’m going to sit and enjoy them a little longer.

Hugs and thanks mom and dad, for sharing your lives, time and love with us!