I was ready for Zahir to come home Tuesday. Imagine my surprise when the door opened and he walked in with my Grandma and Grandpa. Baba and Mama flew them over to have an American style Thanksgiving in Amman Jordan. I am so happy.
There was an unpleasant moment. Grandma was the first to notice the fresh scar on my arm. For the record she didn't buy the cooking accident story the family told her. I told her that I don't remember actually doing it. There was just so much stress, pain and pressure in my life. For one moment I just gave in to a dark impulse. She said she understood and hugged me in our garden.
Thursday morning Aunt Meghan arrived. She couldn't get away on Monday. We have had a long talk. We share a little bit more in common. She knows something about depression and self harm. Turns out she did what I did when they found Mom's body.
Aunt Meg will be returning to the States on Sunday. Meemaw and Pawpaw will be staying with us until we fly to Tampa for commencement. PawPaw had a long private "chat" with Zahir in the garden last night. When they came back Pawpaw has asked if he could give me away to Zahir when we have the Christian ceremony in the garden next week. I got weepy and said yes. I wonder how many people have three wedding ceremonies for the same person?
This has been the best Thanksgiving in my life.
Chase
Zahir and the boss have me traveling. Something unpleasant happened at the house. I am visiting some of the active out of country construction sites and going over designs and precision measurements.
A threat was made, but I am safe. On the upside, I am doing some writing
---Yes, I have a bodyguard with me.
For the second time in three years I'm traveling without Zahir. He was
needed back in Iran. Something to do with the earthquake at a
construction site.
Not going to lie, I am very afraid.
Baba and the family promise things will be sorted by the wedding date. They think they know who was behind it. I am told this is only temporary...
I'm starting to think my friends back in the states were right. Maybe I have been making too much noise here. But, graffiti can be painted over, and a guard dog can be replaced. Yes, someone killed one of my babies, not Kaeleb but one of his brothers.
Chase
Yep, I am a teen no more. The BIG two zero. When one of our clients found this out he and his wife arranged a party. WOW! I will leave it at that. Our host clearly does NOTHING half way. There must have been fifty couples there. Zahir and his brothers were even impressed.
Betey has been on full alert since he arrived with the new pilot. Yup, I got my favorite bodyguard back. Z was in a meeting and his brothers took yours truly to the zoo. For the record "I" knew exactly where I was. My soon to be brother in laws however were "misplaced."
Grown men do NOT get lost we get separated from our party. We were on our way to see the monkeys. I was following the signs, they were following what was attached to the skirts. When I could not find them I asked an employee for help in English. (As I have said before this Miami boy speaks very little Spanish, and ZERO Portuguese.He too me to security. I texted Z and told him I was in security waiting for the brothers. They were pissed when they found me. That night it was decided I needed a dedicated minder (AND the brother's temporary numbers in my cell).
Betey gave me a long list of rules to avoid issues like what happened on our last trip.
Sorry for the text only post. We are at the Brazil vs Angola match. Typing while trying to look excited is hard. Soccer is not MY sport. Still there is a tremendous excitement here and the Brazilian team is doing great I am told. U.S. team... not so well.
Chase
I was ready for Zahir to come home Tuesday. Imagine my surprise when the door opened and he walked in with my Grandma and Grandpa. Baba and Mama flew them over to have an American style Thanksgiving in Amman Jordan. I am so happy.
