Saturday, June 12, 2010

There's no place like home

My first week back at home has been one big transition. Home is very little like I left it, but that's okay. Adrienne and I have been discussing the idea that "you can never come back home." I suppose it'd be impossible to leave for half a year and have things just as you left them 5 months ago ay. Since I've been gone, I've gained a family member, Jolie, and lost one as well, my precious mom mom. Life around my house this week has been bringing back lots of the memories I have of my moms cancer. There is slight sadness, but a definite sense of hope and togetherness, not to mention heaps of great food. Seriously, we have about 3 casseroles in our fridge right now. People have been so great :)

Flexability is key to the Ackermanns; it's what we do best. Plans change at the drop of a hat, the door is revolving, and right now Taney court is a game of musical beds with 8 of us living here, more to come tonight. This is what I love about my home. Ikea should totally use us in their table ads. Who knew you could fit 13 around a 6 seater. As I write this in my new basement bedroom that I share with Adrienne, I can hear my mom singing You Raise Me Up from the kitchen :) My new bedrooms vents offer great acoustics from almost all the rooms in our house. It's especially fun when I'm napping and Vinny and my cousins are watching the World Cup on TV upstairs.

As for me, I am loving every minute here at home. Truly, my family are my best friends. It's so good to come home to them. However, there's a part of me that's ready to jet off to Europe again right now. I've written down the places I still want to see, and it's quite the list. It's an odd sensation to feel like you've seen so much, and so little at one time. Never have I felt so excited for my future as I do now.

This post marks the end of my blog; thanks for keeping up with my adventures in England. Maybe in a few years I'll have another blog about my adventures in Greece or Prague or Argentina or where ever! I can't wait :)

Love Abby

Saturday, June 5, 2010

What a week.

Sara, Heather and I spent another 4 days in Spain with Blanca and her family, which were amazing. The lifestyle is Spain was really different; eating lunch at 4 and dinner at 9 took some getting used to. I couldn't have asked for better company- Sara and Heather make for great travel buddies. Having done a number of trips together at this point, we mesh really well. All three of us had a blast with Blanca; what a lovely girl. Her and her mother were so incredibly hospitable, we were blown away again and again by their kindness.

A highlight for me was a fountain we visited one night. It was huge, and every half hour had a new color and music show. We sat on the grass and watched as the colorful water shot up and around to a Disney medly, beginning with Cirle of Life- awesome. Funny the things that are universal, like Disney. Or starbucks. Or math... :/

The trip was possibly my favorite of the whole term; a great way to end my experience here. The last few days Sara, Heather and I have spent in various British cities- today they are in London. It's been a really great time.

On a heavier note, things have been tough at home in Maryland. Mom mom's health has been waning fast. Over Spring break, my parents told me Mom mom would probably die within the year. It was hard news to swallow. Mom mom means the world to me, as she does to many people. The time I spent with her in April I will always cherish. The last two weeks or so, her health has declined so much that we weren't sure if she'd make it til I came home from England. It's been difficult to be this far from my family these past few days. I've been calling Mom mom and asking her to wait for me. I'll be home in two days, and I'd love to see her one last time. She told me she'd try.

Last night, my mom told me that Mom mom was ready to die. I said goodbye to Mom mom on the phone. She couldn't respond, but I'm told she could hear me. I'm so grateful to have Sara and Heather here, as all my friends have already gone back home. Paul too has been so supportive through the entire thing; I'm a lucky girl to have so many dependable, loving people to lean on.

As of right now, Mom mom is still here, though unconscious. I am still hoping that she can hold on, and that I'll see her Monday afternoon when I arrive back in the US. However, no matter what, I know I'll see her again in heaven. Adrienne told me that yesterday, every now and then mom mom would softly murmur "heaven." There is such a comfort to know she'll be with Jesus when she goes.

This is certainly not how I pictured my trip here ending. It's been quite the adventure, but today all my thoughts are on Taney Court. I can't wait to hop off that plane and see my family :)