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Sunday, June 10, 2012

Tidal Wave

The kids and I made it to Houston at 5 a.m. local time yesterday morning.  It was nice to sleep on a fully flat seat in business class, but we still didn't sleep all that great.  There is just something about sleeping on an airplane that doesn't let me ( or the kids) get a really good sleep.  I was able to get all 9 bags and four carry ons to the car rental place with the help of another sweet family who was repatriating to the States along with me.  Thank you so much!!!:)  Thank goodness Guy rented us an Expedition or I wouldn't have been able to fit all the bags!!:)
We made it to the hotel only after stopping at McDonald's for our U.S. fix!!:)  Then, the kids and I took a marathon nap from noon to 5 p.m.  I usually never let them sleep that long after traveling from Nigeria, but I don't know if it was the physical exhaustion combined with the emotional exhaustion of the last few weeks and the roller coaster of emotions I have had but I could not move from the bed until 5 p.m.  I made the kids wake up or else we might as well grow hair on our ears and hang upside down because letting them sleep any  longer was surely a recipe for nocturnal disaster!:)   We went to good 'ole Wal Mart and got some snacks for the room and went to another favorite of Jeremy's...Taco Bell!!! I know, I should win" Mother of the Year" award for the nutritional food I'm feeding the kids!!!! :)  But, I'll blame it on exhaustion and whatever makes 'em happy at this point!:)  They keep asking me if this hotel is our new home, and I keep telling that that we need to find a home.  They both look at me like it's crazy that we don't have a "home" right now.  I guess it is...

We're doing okay, but every now and then, a tidal wave of emotions sweep over me.  I think of my final hug to Happiness before we boarded the bus knowing I most likely will never physically see her again.  The look in her eyes and the tears running down her face as the kids and I waved good bye to her and as I blew her a kiss through the window she grabbed it in mid air and placed her hand on her heart. It was so hard to leave.  I didn't ever think it would have been three years ago. 

When the kids and I were in the Wal-Mart (Elizabeth keeps calling it Lekki Market..I'm not kidding) yesterday, I noticed a woman in traditional Nigerian dress.  At first I didn't think anything of it, and then I realized I was in Houston...in a Wal- Mart!!  I heard her talking to her daughter in the familiar Nigerian accent, and I almost went up to her.  But, I couldn't because I realized I had tears in my eyes and no matter what I would say to her ( I had no idea what that may be) I wouldn't be able to say anything because all that would come was tears.

I feel a little lost and confused right now. Sometimes I think I am just on summer holiday visiting the U.S. and then, I realize that I'm not going back to Nigeria in August.   This transition will be a process, but I know one thing for sure.  Our family found" happiness" in Nigeria and I know we'll find it here, too.:)

8 comments:

  1. Meredith, welcome back! I've been following your adventures in Nigeria and it has been so eye opening! I hope y'all enjoy your next life adventure back in the States. Are you staying in Houston?

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    1. HI Sarah! we will be back in houston.:) Thanks for commenting and we are looking forward to being back in the States, but are also sad to leave our "home" in Lagos.

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  2. My hearty hurts for y'all ! I can only imagine how hard it has been to say goodbye to all of the WONDERFUL people that have made such an impact on your lives. My heart is with you and I'll email you in a few days to check-in! Nap all you want!!!! Love-k

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    1. hey there! thanks for your comment.:) It is a tough transition, but life is full of them, and we'll get through this one, too.:) it was so hard to leave. I know you undestand! love,m:)

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  3. Amazing... you made to Houston with two kids.. and one was Elizabeth. Amazing... you made it with 9 bags. Well done... you win "mother of the year" award. So funny, baby girl thought Wal-Mart was Lekki Market. She only knows Nigeria. And that is cool. You are the best mama in the world. You gave your kids an opportunity to experience, live, and fell most kids in the US would never think of....

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    1. I could have only given this opportunity because of you.:) Thank you for taking us to another part of the world even though I was unsure.:) love you!! m:)

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  4. Glad you guys are back safely in states! I can't wait to see you.

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  5. hi carolanne! we are happy to be back and also missing lagos....weird!:) we are looking forward to putting some roots donw here in this part of the world again! love,m:)

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