This summer, unbeknownst to me, has turned out to be quite the international affair.
In April, I resigned myself to staying in the boiling Arizona heat all summer. Though, I was planning on driving back to California for a friend's wedding, then I figured I'd keep going up north to my parents' house for a week or so.
Well, in came May and I found myself in Puerto Rico with Paul's family, practicing my Spanish and (re)discovering that I love fruity island cocktails.
In April, I resigned myself to staying in the boiling Arizona heat all summer. Though, I was planning on driving back to California for a friend's wedding, then I figured I'd keep going up north to my parents' house for a week or so.
Well, in came May and I found myself in Puerto Rico with Paul's family, practicing my Spanish and (re)discovering that I love fruity island cocktails.
Then, two days later, moved! And then, a week later, crashed my car and had to turn the title over to the towing company... Now taking public transit and seeing a therapist for my back post-accident (which was very minor, thank God), I quickly realized I'd need to book a flight to the wedding, and my parents' house, and also... Portland for a long weekend. Talk about being a blur, everything has happened so quickly this summer, I've barely had time to breathe.
And then, a week after my accident, I got a call from my dad that my 103 year-old aunt in France passed away. My parents and aunt were planning on flying out to France the next day! By the end of the afternoon, I, too, suddenly owned a round-trip ticket to France leaving the following morning. I barely have had time to comprehend what has gone on this summer, but it's been a whirlwind.
We were able to attend the funeral in France and served as the only family present at the service. I got to practice my French a bunch, and picked up reading materials to use with my students in the fall. But more importantly, I got to speak (well, read a Psalm) at the Catholic funeral. It was beautiful and moving, as was the burial that followed. I am glad we all had the opportunity to go and be present. Ever since I was little, my family and I would go visit her every two years or so. That continued on until 2008, and unfortunately that was the last time any of us saw her. We waited four years too long to go back.
Another nice part of the trip was the amount of work some family friends put into the final arrangements. That gave us two days to get out and revisit some of our favorite spots in the South of France. My favorite part, however, was organizing all of our aunt's affairs and seeing everything she did in her lifetime. She had some amazing pictures, documents, travel brochures and trinkets.
I picked out two things I wanted to keep to remember. One is a scarf with her name on the back (standard procedure for the retirement home where she lived, and I fully intend on keeping it on the back!). I didn't realize until I unpacked at home that it was a Hermès. The other is a small, beautifully-decorated champagne box. It is smaller than a champagne bottle, but I think it might have been for corks, wine bottle openers or handkerchiefs? Either way, it is cute and serves as a nice paper/note holder on my desk in the French office. Something I can always look at and remember.
Even at 103, life is short. Cherish the time you have with your family. Even if you live on opposite ends of the globe. They're never less than a day away. And if you can, travel with your family! It's important and is something you'll never forget. 27 years later, I remember nearly every single trip I've ever taken with my family. And it's made me the person I am today; the girl who is living on one continent, and constantly dreaming about the next. I have every member of my family to thank for that, since they've shown me a deep appreciation for travel, family history, languages and the ability to move your family for the promise of a better future.
(P.S., I'm seriously learning German and plan on taking courses at ASU in the fall/spring)
