Homecoming Day
Dear Ann,
It was Sunday the fourth of December &, although it was the day put aside for the annual Christmas lunch with the ex-Tupperware Staff, I had opted to give it a miss this year because Philip & Greg were arriving here instead of me going over there. This was largely due to them being in their new home, which is not yet ready for visitors.
Philip had emailed to say that Greg’s parents were picking them up from the station & they would arrive about 4.30 p.m. I was excited of course & very much looking forward to their arrival but as I had most of the day to fill in before they arrived I just did the normal things.
So I slept in until late & went up to Michel’s for lunch, did the crossword puzzles etc. It was still only early in the afternoon, so I did quite a bit of shopping as I needed some groceries for dinner that night. I also needed to get a carton of coke as a gift for my friend, John, who does the garden for me.
IÂ was at the car transferring the shopping & was actually thinking I would need someone to put the carton of coke in the car for me because it was too heavy for me to lift. At that particular point I heard a man say beside me “Can I help you” & without looking I answered “Yes please”.
Then when I turned to look it was Philip with a grin from ear to ear. I did get a surprise at them arriving much earlier than anticipated. He had made an error in his calculation of time on this side of the world.
I am very predictable when people are looking for me as that was the second time this year that my guests have met up with me at the supermarket when arriving here as that’s where I was when Josefine & Tine arrived from Denmark.
However, it was wonderful to see Philip & Greg again & we were soon on our way home with Greg following in his parents’ car.
The boys travel very lightly so it didn’t take them long to unpack & make themselves at home, after which we just sat & chatted catching up on the latest news, having dinner & relaxing.
I was so happy to have them home again, although to be more accurate I should say ‘on a visit’ as their home is now in Chatsworth, California.  One of their latest bits of news I hadn’t heard was that Greg now has his Green Card & deemed a Permanent Resident of the United States. This is going to make things a lot easier when they travel & was long awaited as Philip, after eight years on a Green Card, traded it for Citizenship in March 2016.
The following day I had my usual luncheon appointment with Pat & Judy with the absence of Pat who was away on a relaxing holiday with husband, Colin. I asked Philip & Greg if they would like to accompany me to see Judy again.
Philip, Greg, Jun and Dawn at Micheles for lunch
I don’t think the boys had seen her since they went to America, but they had known her all the years we were in the pudding kitchen when Philip was managing the business for us. He & Greg opted to come for lunch saying that it would be nice to catch up with Judy again. Indeed, we did have a nice time together & I was sorry that they missed seeing Pat. However there will be other opportunities.
That night was our fortnightly family dinner at David & Lauren’s when the boys easily fitted into the groove again catching up on them all. As you would imagine there was the usual chatter & natter, a great deal of laughter as we wined & dined.
When Charley is around there is always a lot of chatter & laughter & also with Riley too. At times they were all doubled up with laughing.
Charley, Philip & Greg at David’s place.
A lot of it goes over my head with the problem I sometimes have with my hearing, plus also I have found that I miss out on a bit when they talk so fast. However, I am very content to just sit back, listen, join in with the laughter & enjoy watching them all enjoying themselves. It was a lovely night.
It doesn’t take long to slip in where you belong, everyone was happy, particularly me as I looked forward to the week ahead with Philip & Greg with me. Not only that but their stay was for a whole month & it was going to be great.
Heaps of love to you Ann & God Bless. Dawn X O X O