One Way Tickets

Everything was sold, given away or in storage. Our daughter Meagan was living with her fiance and Ryan was working at the bakery and "couch surfing" until he found a place.
My brother Robby had a Halloween/birthday/going away party for us that was great. Many many of our friends showed up and even a couple of people who I had not seen in over twenty years. My sister Kathie even came out from Indiana. I can't describe how wonderfully surreal it is to see ones friends in ghoulish make up and filled with beer, some near tears, saying "I love you dude, good luck". I was more than choked up myself. It kinda felt like the final nail in the coffin.
We stayed at Robbie's for the last few days and the kids came to see us the morning we left. It was so hard to say goodbye to my kids. Ryan is 18 and Meagan is 21. I still refer to them as my babies. When we pulled up to the terminal at LAX, half of me wanted to make a u-turn and the other half wanted to bolt to the ticket counter without kissing my brother goodbye.
Airports are weird places. They are the places where grandmothers see grand babies for the first time. They are the places where we greet our returning soldiers when they come home. They are also the places where we see people for the last time, often without knowing it. When you kiss someone goodbye at the airport, remember it.
The flight was a blur and customs was a breeze. When we got to the airport, our friends Barbara and Nadeem picked us up. This is the same Barbara who was working with Jemma at the Grove High School. She made the leap across the pond a few months earlier.
Gordon and Aarti were waiting for us with open arms at their home. They both let us know (and continue to do so) that we were welcome and at home with them. Without there support, encouragement and love, this adventure would never have happened. They are mentors to both Jemma and I.
It seems like we just took our luggage upstairs and set it on the bed and we were off. Literally. Within an hour or so after arriving, we were on the bus, Oyster cards in hand, on our way to Borough Market. We wasted no time in starting our adventure. All I remember about that trip was getting snapped at by a vendor for touching his cheese. I just looked at him with that "duh" look on my face and stumbled off. I think I was a tad bit punchy.
The very next day we were off with Aarti and Gordon to a fundraiser for a friend of theirs who is raising money for a school he is helping to build in Uganda. Forty eight hours and I think that we still hadn't unpacked.
The first week was a blur. We had to get bank accounts, register with a GP and look for work. Gordon advised us to chill out and not be in such a hurry but I just wanted to get established. Until I got my ducks in a row, I wouldn't feel like I was really here. One of the first things I did was sign up with an employment agency. I was working within a week after registering.
One of the great things about coming out here is family and friends. We didn't land on Ellis Island with our suitcases and a few pennies in our pockets. We have family and friends here. Dear friends like Barbara and Nadeem and old friends like James and Ian up north. All of these people greeted us with open arms.
Aarti and Gordon are amazing people. They are kind and warm. They had a really cool thing going on before we came. And for no other reason than because they love us, they opened their home and their lives to us. That is a really nice feeling. Some of their friends have become our friends. Aarti's family has become part of our family. Gordon and Aarti have exposed us to so much of what life has to offer on this cold and wet island. They are socially active and conscious. We debate, cook, drink wine and watch movies (and yes....East Enders) together. When I say debate, I don't mean "how 'bout them Dodgers" kind of debates. Be warned, if you want to debate either Gordon or Aarti, come prepared and be prepared to have your point of view challenged and perhaps changed. Do not bring a knife to a gun fight. Aarti's got "guns"!!!
The beginning of this journey has been wonderful. It has also been bitter sweet. Not a minute goes by when I don't think of my "babies" back home. I miss them so much. Remember, when you kiss somebody goodbye, be it at the airport or your brother's driveway you better mean it and remember it.