Thursday, April 7, 2011

Home from Switzerland ..

"The family. We were a strange little band of characters trudging through life sharing diseases and toothpaste, coveting one another's desserts, hiding shampoo, borrowing money, locking each other out of our rooms, inflicting pain and kissing to heal it in the same instant, loving, laughing, defending, and trying to figure out the common thread that bound us all together." ~Erma Bombeck

Photobucket

Taylor arrived home from her year abroad last night,looking healthy and happy.And feeling beyond blessed for this incredible opportunity of growth and travel and memory making.When asked by her dad to list her top 3 experiences,we listened as she first spoke of a retirement home that the students visited often.She spoke of the bond she forged with a 96 year old woman there named Elsa.A woman who had no children and who looked at Taylor as the child/grandchild she never had.Taylor's own great-grandmother died the morning she was born and Taylor viewed this sweet lady and the relationship, as perhaps what might have been if my grandmother was still alive today.Taylor talked of her beautiful blue eyes,which my grandmother had as well.I couldn't help but cry as I listened to her speak and I thought how amazing it was,that of all the experiences and of all the sites she had seen and places she had been,it was a human connection that meant the most to her.Pretty amazing.

So we will settle in.All 6 of my children under the same roof for awhile.I will watch my little grandbaby toddle around and change and grow by the day.It will be crazy times here,that is for sure.It will require patience and cooperation and teamwork on everyone's part.But we are use to teamwork.After all,coming together as a family is what saw us through this first 4 years with Miss Zoey.And you know,none of this is forever.Acknowledging that.Living and breathing that daily.Speaking it out loud and seeing that statement"none of this is forever",for what it truly means,is all that really matters....none of this is forever.Cherish it while you have it.I intend to.

18 comments:

Kristin said...

Way to make your mother proud, Taylor!

Rochelle said...

A year? WOW where does time go. So glad she had such a wonderful experience and that she is safely home for you to enjoy!

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful connection between Taylor's "Swiss Grandmother" and your own grandmother Heather. I had forgotten Taylor was born the same day your grandmother passed. I know you had a very close relationship with your grandmother

Welcome home Taylor!
Aunt Bluebelle

colleen said...

Beautiful post... I am inspired by your patience with so many "souls" running around - a tribute to teamwork and I am certain you will make it enjoyable for all!
Soak it all in as you are right... it will not last forever.

Cammie Heflin said...

So proud of Taylor, can't wait till I can meet her IRL too! I'm so blessed to call your family friends!

SECRET PEPPER PERSON: said...

I just cried when I read this post for it's honesty and necessity! In the days ahead more and more families will bond together or we will not survive. Unfortunately for most in our country it will begin from crisis not because it's the Godly way to go. One thing I've learned from Japan is how they value family, elders and each other. I think of the hospital where the nurses hand carried the patients up 5 flights of stairs knowing they would never get out in time saving all but 12 before the tsunami hit. Here we just leave them behind to drown...not even in a situation like a tsunami where you have only seconds to respond. And then if you do stay behind to help your patients you get sued if patients die under the horrendous condition that were Katrina......We must stick together! Family and building strong community relations are the only things that will keep us going when crisis hits.

Lacey said...

Full house for sure, but how fun for you, to have all your children, and beautiful granddaughter, all together. Nothing better than that, I would be soaking it all up to!

Melissa said...

How awesome to have everyone together!!

Kele said...

Taylor,
I am so happy for you. What a blessing... a year abroad, the lessons, the Elsa's, (and the likes of), what memories to carry a lifetime... I am envious of such an experience.
Lucky you, and WELCOME HOME!

Scrappy quilter said...

Taylor you look so much like your mom. What a beautiful smile. And what a wonderful connection you made with that dear lady. I'm sure she is missing you. Heather it sounds like you have a houseful, nothing better than that. Hugs

Elizabeth said...

She's so beautiful! I can't wait to hear all the stories of all of you, living under one roof. What an amazing time -- and you can always, always scoop up those youngest and escape to me!

kathleen said...

Welcome home Taylor! Welcome back to the beautiful craziness that is your home. Heather can now rest a little easier, everyone is home, for a few days anyway!

Anne and Whitney: Up, Down and All Around said...

so happy taylor is home and had such a wonderful experience. i love your words of wisdom for living with 6 kids + a granddaughter all under the same roof... wonderful yet A LOT! enjoy the weekend :)

Shelly Turpin said...

Beautiful - love the love in your family

Googsmom said...

Awww Taylor, your such a good kid!! I have a question for ya though. What is the most abundant wild flower over there in Switz? Just curious :) I'm glad your home.

Becky said...

Thought perhaps that these ear protectors might help Miss Zoey with dealing with the loud noises at sporting events. And, they come in PINK!

http://www.amazon.com/Baby-Banz-Hearing-Protector-Earmuffs/dp/B002SW3EZG/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1302486016&sr=8-4

Victoria Strong said...

What a beautiful photo! She exudes youth, hopefulness, possibility!!! What gorgeous children you have!!!

Unknown said...

I thought she just left a few months ago?!?! That's how my mind works these past 12 months...er, not work..something like that.
Glad everyone is home, under one roof. What fun you will have. That's what we were aiming for one year ago. Ashleigh was planning to move home the end of last summer; which she did. The five of us would be together again. All of us under the same roof. But, as you know that was not to be for our family. So, by all means"Cherish it while you have it"