whirlwind of emotions

Wow, a whole week since my last post. No wonder. Haven't been home much. We've been back and forth to Montreal. For some good times and some sad times.

First the good times. Went to a big fat greek wedding. Nice ceremony. Most breathtaking bride. She was the flowergirl at our wedding and is just as beautiful now as then. Her husband seems like a great guy. Wishing her all the best in her new life. Awesome reception. Lots and lots of food. Lots and lots of music. The kids were so cute all dressed up in their best. The twins arrived at the Church. Layed down on the pews and took an hour long nap. So then, they were all ready for the party. They ate and ate and danced and danced till they literally dropped on a chair and fell asleep. We definitely have party animals on our hands ;)

A few hours before going to the wedding, we stopped to say goodbye to a special lady. She had been fighting pulmonary fibrosis for a few years and was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer a couple of months ago. There was nothing more that modern medecine could do for her. She had but a few days to live. When we got there, the priest, the same one who would be celebrating the wedding we'd go to a few hours later, was leaving having just performed the last rites. It was tough to see her like this but at least we got to say our goodbyes, exchanged a few stories and even a few laughs. She was inspirational.

During my first year of college, I made a new friend who was to become a lifelong friend. I ended up studying at her place a lot cause she lived right next to our school whereas I had an hour commute one way. That's when I met this special lady, her mom. A typical Greek mom who loved to cook and feed us. She only spoke Greek and I couldn't understand her but we instantly "clicked". Over the years, I became a part of that family and I learned their language and customs. My friend was a bridesmaid at my wedding and is now the godmother of my first born. Circumstances have it that we even now live in the same city and we both got pregnant at 40! Throughout all of this, her mom was always there cheering us on. She developed her pulmonary condition due to secondhand smoke and was hooked to an oxygen tank and later in a wheelchair for the last 3 years. Despite this, she made a point of going to San Francisco, spent last summer in Greece and even went all the way to Australia to see her relatives and I guess say her goodbys. She hated staying home asking her daughters to take her out, anywhere. Just a month ago we spent a day along with the kids at a local museum. She just wanted to do as much as she could while she could.

So a few days after celebrating a wedding, we returned to the same Church for a funeral. The circle of life. The good times and the bad times. This time, the twins stayed home and only big sis came with us. It was a big learning experience for her. We had said our goodbys to her and we were there on that day for the family. To show them that we loved them. It was a long 2 days but there was a nice sense of closure for all. She left us with a smile and her blessings.

Thank you Georgia for all that you have done and the joys you brought. May you rest in peace.