Home for Christmas
Well, we did it. We closed on our new house in Omaha the day we left for Boston for Christmas. It's a good thing we did, or the girls and I very well might not have returned to Omaha with Neal! More about the house later, but now.... home to Boston.... Mecca! The Hub of the Universe as far as I'm concerned!
As soon as we could see the harbor and the city from the plane, tears streamed down my face. I always knew I loved Boston, but now I know just how much. After we got off, of course I had to RUN to Dunkin Donuts! The girls needed their Munchkins and that iced coffee never taisted so good!
Once we got home, everything was as it should be. We got the big jogging stroller out and off we went to run errands and meet friends for dinner. The girls were noticably happier sitting in the stroller watching the world rather than sitting strapped into their car seats. Bore me! Throughout the week Sophie played with her Boston buddies . Unlike the children in Omaha, they shared, and took turns and I never once had the feeling that I should leave, and that these children were too terrible for mine to play with! In Omaha, it seems like every child we meet has "playroom syndrom". They've only ever played in their own playrooms with their siblings so taking turns is not something they've ever had to do. No playing at the park in Omaha where everything is community.... Omaha is the land of "Mine!"
But, I digress.... my parents and brother came on Christmas Eve morning and stayed until Christmas evening. This is a big deal having all three of them leave the funeral home at the same time. We had a typical Boston Christmas in the home I love so much complete with a Dunkin Donuts run after present-opening, and a blazing fire all day. My turkey was even pretty good dispite having packed away all my spices.
The trip seemed to consist of errands, getting the house ready for our renters, and visits, but unfortunately, not as much normalcy as I would have liked. I did relish in things like poping over to see Lori on Christmas morning..... just opening the door and walking in after picking up coffee, just like old times. I really enjoyed that convienient, pedestrian lifestyle and I can't even describe how much I miss seeing all the people on the street. Life in America is so isolating compared to being in the city where everything's happening all the time, all around. I just love it!
The week seemed to fly by and before we knew it, New Years Eve had arrived. We took the girls to see the parade down Boylston Street at Abe and Louie's with "Jana and Captain John." They loved it and Sophie had one of her "I want to stay" melt downs when it was time to leave... and way past her bedtime.
New Years Day brought the annual Pork and Sauerkraut feast. This year we held it at a local church and it was a good thing. We had 70 people and there's no way that I could have accomodated that many in my house..... especially given that movers were coming the next day!
So, it's with sadness that I said goodbye to my house and my friends for the next 7 or 8 months. I know everyone keeps talking about how great it will be to have a house and a yard and a garage, but I'm not so sure it's for me. I like to be where the action is, and I know it's not in Omaha. I love just meeting people on the street and chatting.... that doesn't happen in Omaha because in addition to never walking anywhere, you never even keep your garage door open so you don't see people coming or going. It's just different, and I guess I will see if it's better.
Well, we did it. We closed on our new house in Omaha the day we left for Boston for Christmas. It's a good thing we did, or the girls and I very well might not have returned to Omaha with Neal! More about the house later, but now.... home to Boston.... Mecca! The Hub of the Universe as far as I'm concerned!
As soon as we could see the harbor and the city from the plane, tears streamed down my face. I always knew I loved Boston, but now I know just how much. After we got off, of course I had to RUN to Dunkin Donuts! The girls needed their Munchkins and that iced coffee never taisted so good!
Once we got home, everything was as it should be. We got the big jogging stroller out and off we went to run errands and meet friends for dinner. The girls were noticably happier sitting in the stroller watching the world rather than sitting strapped into their car seats. Bore me! Throughout the week Sophie played with her Boston buddies . Unlike the children in Omaha, they shared, and took turns and I never once had the feeling that I should leave, and that these children were too terrible for mine to play with! In Omaha, it seems like every child we meet has "playroom syndrom". They've only ever played in their own playrooms with their siblings so taking turns is not something they've ever had to do. No playing at the park in Omaha where everything is community.... Omaha is the land of "Mine!"
But, I digress.... my parents and brother came on Christmas Eve morning and stayed until Christmas evening. This is a big deal having all three of them leave the funeral home at the same time. We had a typical Boston Christmas in the home I love so much complete with a Dunkin Donuts run after present-opening, and a blazing fire all day. My turkey was even pretty good dispite having packed away all my spices.
The trip seemed to consist of errands, getting the house ready for our renters, and visits, but unfortunately, not as much normalcy as I would have liked. I did relish in things like poping over to see Lori on Christmas morning..... just opening the door and walking in after picking up coffee, just like old times. I really enjoyed that convienient, pedestrian lifestyle and I can't even describe how much I miss seeing all the people on the street. Life in America is so isolating compared to being in the city where everything's happening all the time, all around. I just love it!
The week seemed to fly by and before we knew it, New Years Eve had arrived. We took the girls to see the parade down Boylston Street at Abe and Louie's with "Jana and Captain John." They loved it and Sophie had one of her "I want to stay" melt downs when it was time to leave... and way past her bedtime.
New Years Day brought the annual Pork and Sauerkraut feast. This year we held it at a local church and it was a good thing. We had 70 people and there's no way that I could have accomodated that many in my house..... especially given that movers were coming the next day!
So, it's with sadness that I said goodbye to my house and my friends for the next 7 or 8 months. I know everyone keeps talking about how great it will be to have a house and a yard and a garage, but I'm not so sure it's for me. I like to be where the action is, and I know it's not in Omaha. I love just meeting people on the street and chatting.... that doesn't happen in Omaha because in addition to never walking anywhere, you never even keep your garage door open so you don't see people coming or going. It's just different, and I guess I will see if it's better.
posted by Betsy Paquelet Patrick at 3:53 PM
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