Hellos and Goodbyes

It’s been an excellent trip back home to the States. And as always, it’s been bittersweet. Three weeks is never enough time to get everything done. This visit was awesome, but also difficult, especially with the holidays. There were lights to hang on the house, the tree to decorate, cookies to bake, dinners to make, visiting to do, paperwork for my sis, a computer to fix, and even a bath tub to caulk!

Don’t feel badly for me though . . . I spent a lot of quality time with my mom and siblings. And I ate well. Oh yes, I ate well.

But three weeks is a very long time to be away from my Ankara home and my love. He has been a trooper, taking care of little Lucky, watering plants (I hope), and keeping the home nice and warm in preparation of my return.

Sadly, I will miss my kanka when I return. Her father is not doing well, and she has decided to fly back to the States two days before I return to Ankara. She is my BFF in Ankara. The almost 20 years difference in age doesn’t matter. We get together and moan, groan, and complain about life there. Then we have a little drinky winky of wine, and decide that life is marvelous in Ankara and get out there and enjoy it together!

Last night, my husband went to dinner with her and her husband. She joked about ordering a table for 4, so that I could be there in spirit sitting at the table. Lo and behold, there I appeared – Mini Flat Terry, squeezing in between her and her man — just where I belong!