Back to the UK

Getting ready to fly back. I am so sad. Even though we are going ‘home’ I don’t feel like we are going home. This is so much my home even more than I realised while living and raising a family in Britain – its really overwhelming this feeling of home here. Even more so because this is my parents temporary home. They will be returning to South Carolina in just a few days too. I think because the people are so open and friendly here, the weather is so good, every time we went to the playground we chatted with people and the kids made friends and there is a real sense of community here. The kids noticed this too and very much liked that and thought it was very positive. They seemed to love that aspect of living here – a lady asked them to walk her dogs for a dollar each and they did that every day! Last night they went to the Winn Dixie and bought the dogs treats from the money they had earned. The dog owner suggested they start up their own dog walking business back home and said she would write them a letter of recommendation. The kids are so excited about this and have asked me to do business cards for them to give out to people in our neighbourhood in Worthing. I would love to encourage them to do this. However I am doubtful our British neighbours would be open to this. They seem to be very private and don’t like to even talk to each other! I am happy to be proved otherwise though so we shall do our best. Sadly I feel like the kids are going to be disappointed though. They too are sad to be leaving such a wonderful place.

Normally by this stage of a holiday they are thinking about their own bedrooms and being in their own house with the cats and all. This time the only things they are commenting on are what they will miss about being here. I know they will miss their grandparents and their aunt and uncle. They have had a holiday of a lifetime. I am so thankful we were able to give them this.

I think they feel an affinity to this place and while they have been here they have called themselves American (without prompt) and often comment on how great it would be to move here. The long 12 week summer vacation sold it to Sam! Just being able to spend time with their American relatives has been so so SO good, a new experience and a very positive influence on them.

I am sure we will be glad to be back in our own house and see our friends and British family in the UK but it sure is heart wrenching to leave, knowing the great expense and time it takes to come back. Who knows when we will be able to come back. Hopefully it won’t be another 6 years. Maybe Sam would like to go to University here? Maybe Sam and Anna Grace can visit here on their own when they are 16 and 15? Maybe we can all come back in 2 or 3 years? It all depends on money, time and visiting Nick’s family in Spain too. All I can say for sure is that we have had a great time and really introduced the kids to American living and American culture. I am so glad for that.

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