I'm gonna miss my nani...
She just drove off...
I've never seen so many tears in my life, nor can I remember crying so many. We woke up this morning, a regular everyday weekday morning with Nany, to find letters on our beds. Goodbye letters. My dad took the day off, and we helped her carry out her luggage when her parents came. My mom made her the last grilled cheese sandwich she'd be devouring at our house. Kalia came by to see her off. And then came all our tears. My mother started bawling as she hugged her. A third daughter to her, really. A second sister to Dee. Dee, who holds in all emotion at all times, could not control her eyes today. I think she really feels part of the family now, which is what made it so hard. Her "Nanishka is doing outstanding work!" and grades were torn down from our rifrigerator, her favorite snacks removed from our kitchen, our basement is once again neat, and the house is quiet and lonely. We'll get over it. Nany says she's coming to visit after she gets through with camp and before she goes to Jamestown, that's the 21st. I plan to be around for when she drops in. We let her know she'll always have a second home here, a second family. I really think so much as happened to her this summer, with the moving and the dogs being given away and she stayed out of trouble this entire summer and learned to do laundary and dishes. I think her living here helped make her summer more enjoyable while she grew up, graduating from a silly little girl to an independent woman. And in return, although I'm not sure my mother realizes this one, Nany has taught my mother, my father, and really our whole family how to take in guests for long periods of time and learn that they're not all trouble and hassle; they're fun - fun to get to know (I mean really get to know, like down to their last habit and pet peeve), fun learn from about their family and their life, fun to teach about our family and our life, and most fun when you finally learn to open up your heart and truly take them in, to love them as your own.
I, unlike my usually-composed sister, am done crying for that now. Nani's got to move on and finish growing up. She's got to meet new people and see new things. College is going to love her. And she's just the type of person who'll love college. None of us in the Russell family will ever forget her, of course, and hopefully she'll never forget us. Highly unlikely that she will. And in another 12 days I, too, am going to have to face the the music and learn to let go. I feel like I can do that now. If college came tomorrow, I could do it. I feel fulfilled enough with the years I've spent growing from elementary school to middle school to high school, into the person I find myself now. And I wouldn't trade a single minute of it, not a single blunder or fall. Not a single acquaintance. They've all helped shape me into who I am, and I love them all for that. I had a dreamless sleep last night, for once. It's been a satisfyingly fun summer with all my friends. I hope I can remember it forever. But hey, that's what these journal things are for!
Good luck at camp and in college, Nany! Don't forget to keep in touch!! I love you! Bye-bye! .........
Well, guys... I'm happy.
I love you all. And Heather, I know you'll be happy to finally hear this... I'm ready.
I've never seen so many tears in my life, nor can I remember crying so many. We woke up this morning, a regular everyday weekday morning with Nany, to find letters on our beds. Goodbye letters. My dad took the day off, and we helped her carry out her luggage when her parents came. My mom made her the last grilled cheese sandwich she'd be devouring at our house. Kalia came by to see her off. And then came all our tears. My mother started bawling as she hugged her. A third daughter to her, really. A second sister to Dee. Dee, who holds in all emotion at all times, could not control her eyes today. I think she really feels part of the family now, which is what made it so hard. Her "Nanishka is doing outstanding work!" and grades were torn down from our rifrigerator, her favorite snacks removed from our kitchen, our basement is once again neat, and the house is quiet and lonely. We'll get over it. Nany says she's coming to visit after she gets through with camp and before she goes to Jamestown, that's the 21st. I plan to be around for when she drops in. We let her know she'll always have a second home here, a second family. I really think so much as happened to her this summer, with the moving and the dogs being given away and she stayed out of trouble this entire summer and learned to do laundary and dishes. I think her living here helped make her summer more enjoyable while she grew up, graduating from a silly little girl to an independent woman. And in return, although I'm not sure my mother realizes this one, Nany has taught my mother, my father, and really our whole family how to take in guests for long periods of time and learn that they're not all trouble and hassle; they're fun - fun to get to know (I mean really get to know, like down to their last habit and pet peeve), fun learn from about their family and their life, fun to teach about our family and our life, and most fun when you finally learn to open up your heart and truly take them in, to love them as your own.
I, unlike my usually-composed sister, am done crying for that now. Nani's got to move on and finish growing up. She's got to meet new people and see new things. College is going to love her. And she's just the type of person who'll love college. None of us in the Russell family will ever forget her, of course, and hopefully she'll never forget us. Highly unlikely that she will. And in another 12 days I, too, am going to have to face the the music and learn to let go. I feel like I can do that now. If college came tomorrow, I could do it. I feel fulfilled enough with the years I've spent growing from elementary school to middle school to high school, into the person I find myself now. And I wouldn't trade a single minute of it, not a single blunder or fall. Not a single acquaintance. They've all helped shape me into who I am, and I love them all for that. I had a dreamless sleep last night, for once. It's been a satisfyingly fun summer with all my friends. I hope I can remember it forever. But hey, that's what these journal things are for!
Good luck at camp and in college, Nany! Don't forget to keep in touch!! I love you! Bye-bye! .........
Well, guys... I'm happy.
I love you all. And Heather, I know you'll be happy to finally hear this... I'm ready.