The In-laws are Visiting

Yesterday, September 23, was the day El Catracho and I drove into Washington DC to pick up his parents for their first visit ever to the United States. Anyone who is keeping up with current events, knows that Pope Francis had arrived the day before and is leaving the city today. I couldn't have timed that better if I had tried. Their plane wasn't getting in until 3 PM, and it's about a 3 hour drive to Washington but we decided to leave at 10 AM, the better to prepared for any holy delays. Wonder of wonders, it was a pretty uneventful trip and we arrived at the airport a whopping 2 hours early. Not enough time to go sightseeing, so we parked in short term parking and took a nap. Well, the man took a nap. I couldn't sleep. Too many people to watch! And so I watched. I saw an SUV pull up, and a couple get out. The girl wrapped a bejeweled black scarf around her head, and they headed into the airport. Two minutes later, he came back through the parking lot, talking on his cell phone and looking for someone or something. Apparently he found them or it, because I didn't see him again. A little later, his companion came by walking a slow leisurely pace, I saw her get into the passenger seat of a car she didn't drive in with and they drove off. "That was odd," I thought and continued watching people. A little while later, the same woman came from the direction of the airport, got into her SUV and drove off! At this point, I knew I had watched entirely too many crime dramas as I began to dream up all kind of nefarious situations that would explain the events that had just unfolded. As I was sharing my thoughts with the man who was trying to sleep, he opened one eye, and said, "Hmm that is interesting. oh look, it's after 2. Let's go inside and wait." I know when I'm being shut up. So we went inside, grabbed coffees, and checked out all the merchandise that said "I <3 Pope Francis" (I kid you not.) and sat down to people-watch again. There is no better place for this particular sport than an airport. Families waited outside the International Arrivals Building and as family members exited customs, happy laughs, some tears and much hugging took place. It was fascinating listening to the many languages. I could almost tell what people were saying by the expressions of happiness on their faces. We sat for about another hour, when our own happy reunion took place.  It is such a relief to have them here after so many disappointments while dealing with immigration, but that's another story. The trip back home was long, with lots of traffic and stopping and starting. We made it home although, I think my mother-in-law was starting to believe that this place called "Pennsylvania" was a myth and we lived in our car. After a long exhausting day, they had one more reunion as the children came home, and once more hugs and smiles abounded. Then it was early to bed, and Day One in the United States was over!

There was much to ponder as I lay in my own bed remembering the looks of wonder on their faces as we drove up to our house. My father-in-law was amazed by the yards and how green they were. It's September here in Pennsylvania, and I wanted to tell him he should see it in spring. We went into the house, and for the first time I saw my house through someone else's eyes. I didn't see the stained carpet and dark marks on the walls caused by sticky hands. Instead I saw walls and windows that don't let air or water inside. I saw a faucet that with a turn of the handle, we have all the water we could ever need, and still more. I saw a refrigerator and cupboards with enough food to last a few weeks. I saw my dishwasher that with a push of the button, my dishes are washed, and my washer that I load up before bed, and let it wash my clothes while I sleep. I saw my dryer that I load up the next morning and it dries my clothes while I go to work. Then I have the nerve to come home and wish someone would invent a clothes folder! I saw all these things and I felt ashamed. Not because I have them, but because maybe for the first time I truly saw what I have instead of what I don't have. I knew this visit would be a learning experience for all of us, and it seems my lessons have already begun. I love my little house in the development. It's not what I would have chosen for myself, but it's what I have, and it's more than enough. We are truly blessed beyond all we could ask or imagine.