Mauri's visit

We haven’t seen Mauri since December 2009. Eighteen months is way too long. It’s good to be able to talk on the phone often and see each other on Skype. But nothing is better than an in-person hug with someone you love.

Mauri surprises the boys with a gift card for each to Wal-Mart. The boys talk non-stop on the car ride home from the airport. We stop at the Olive Garden and it is as if they know this is a special occasion. We are brought a never ending supply of breadsticks and checked on regularly with smiles.

Hurray, our first day of the season at Elitch, and we get to spend it with Mauri. Arriving we see a long line to pick up season passes and remembering how long the process took last year we think about bailing. Thank goodness we don’t, in less than an hour we’re in the park. Tad stops at the water park and rents our own cabana by the wave pool. As we walk to our table Mauri is thanking Tad, saying how she feels like a princess. The boys are smiling ear to ear. 

We had so much fun at Elitch. Most of the day we were in the water, food was brought to us, all the soda we could drink, and about four kinds of fudge, all totally rich and creamy. I watched as everyone rode a couple of rides and then the “win a prize” games began. Everyone left with a prize.

Mauri went to one of Grant’s rugby games. She met friends Tad and I have made, and Grant got to introduce her to one of his friends. After the game we went to the mall and she got her shopping fix. Since she lives in a small town she loved the idea of lots of shops. The boys bought a game, Mauri found cute clothes, and everyone picked out something to eat in the food court.

Mauri and the boys made brownies, the gooey kind that sticks to the spoon.

When one of Justin’s friend came over to meet Mauri his family was able to come too. We ate pizza and chocolate chip cookies, talked, rode the zip-line, and just hung out. Mauri had gone through some old photos we were keeping for her so she got to tell the kids stories from when the boys were young.

The morning Mauri was leaving for home we all took the boys to their acting camp. I thought there would be tears, but what happened was lots of tears. I realized the boys were now old enough to have more of a concept of time, and were more aware that they’d miss Mauri. 

Tad and I drove Mauri to the airport. I just my usual lump in the throat on the way. Mauri talked on her cell phone so we avoided a weap-a-thon. Waving goodbye as she completed check in I thought of how proud I was of the woman she was becoming.

Daughter

Twenty-four years ago today I held Mauri for the first time. I’d been carrying a small photo the adoption agency had sent us a month before, so I knew what she looked like. Seeing her and holding her for the first time is a forever memory.

Looking at the photos of our first week together I feel the thrill of that first hug.

Florida in December

Mauri flew from Idaho on the 11th. The next morning we all flew to Orlando. It was a long day of travel, but we didn’t care because we were on our way to Disney and to see family.

At the Orlando airport they is a section for travelers going to Disney, so you step into the world of the mouse immediately. A bus picks you up with Disney movies and information to watch, and the drivers have been trained in joke telling. “Peter Pan was flying around Epcot and the children said come down and he said no….. because he’s from Neverland.”

When the bus dropped us at the Polynesian resort the first night we walked under traditional Christmas wreaths and garlands decorated with tropical flowers—hibiscus, lilies, and orchids. The creamy pastels colors stood up against the green.

Our room was in a building cluster named Tahiti. Our balcony opened onto a beach of white sand and a huge hammock hung from two trees—looking as if this was our private paradise.

The next day we met family at lunch. We hadn’t seen them since we moved 10 months ago. The customary hugging and picture taking was in full swing from the beginning. The difference is now with Facebook we could share pictures immediately.

Cousins Jim and Sandie gave the boys and Mauri trading pins and a lanyard. Within a day the trading was in full force. Justin concentrated on Pluto, and Chip and Dale. Mauri looked for ones that were pink. Grant looked for characters it liked, this year that was Stitch.

This year we surprised the boys by having them dressed as pirates and went on a pirate cruise to see fireworks from the water. In fact Tad joined in and had his face painted. Justin was picked to lead everyone down the dock. Looking back at over a hundred people following my son, Captain Hook, and Mr. Smeed I smiled—he’s a born leader! Then Captain Hook talked to Grant and gave him a big high five. Yep, I have two leaders!

Both boys picked out wonderful hats. Grant got a large black and white Nightmare Before top hat. Justin got Pluto with long dangly ears. Mauri got a couture type purse that combined the traditional Disney design with a dignified shoulder bag.

The day before we left we went to Downtown Disney and Tad bought everyone a t-shirt to commemorate the trip. Everyone stands at a computer terminal and designs their shirt with images and text.

Back at the airport the reality of the world sets in quick. We are no longer in the happiest place on earth. Good thing we’re packing our happiness with us.