So, how was Hawaii?
The highlights of having four weeks at home.
The backstory
This week on zoom, most meetings started with, “Wait, are you back from Hawaii? How was it?” I’d sigh and say, “It was great. Nice to come back to this warmer weather.” For the record, it wasn’t as warm as Hawaii, but it did get up to the 60s this past week which did make the warmth withdrawal easier.
The hardest part of returning to MN has been the return to isolation. Instead of sharing these highlights over brunch, it’s back to Komo party of 2 at-home seating only. And nothing says back to reality like a weekend docket of rummaging for documents for taxes and a Real ID.
Sarcasm aside, it is nice to be back - safe and well. No COVID complications and reunited with da Boba. His welcome wagon was the most intense display of affection I’ve ever experienced. We were pinned on the kitchen floor with kisses galore for at least five minutes, nonstop. 💦
Foliage outside my mom’s house that covers her driveway. Some kind of palm…I think.
Highlights
“Baba”
We don’t know why, but Camila sometimes referred to me as Baba. I’d walk through the door, “Camiiiilllaaaaaaaa!” She’d turn my way, “Baba?” She’d point, “Baba.” Baba is also what she’d say when she wanted to watch a Sesame Street video where the puppets break into a counting song and the part that really slaps is when all the characters bop side to side in an all-sing “ba ba ba-da, ba ba ba-da da da.” Which I always sang full out - hence why I may be associated with the song and referred to as Baba. Whatever the reason, I’m here for it. Highlight #1 is the fact that by the end of the four weeks, she knew who I was.
Firsts
I haven’t had time like this to explore and reconnect with the natural elements of home in a while. Usually, it’s a whirlwind of family dinners, coffees and lunches with friends and souvenir shopping. This time, I got to experience a few firsts like a sunrise hike, a waterfall shower and whale spottings while sitting tide-poolside. Being able to breathe in the natural beauty was an unexpected gift.
Actually WFH
Working from home used to mean I had a doctor’s appointment at noon so I’d WFH in the morning and then go into the office after. But now, I know what it’s like to actually work from Home. Loving what I’m doing professionally while being close to family was a completely new feeling. I was no longer on the road or FaceTiming from another time zone. I was able to tell my brother how my day at work was - in person - for the first time. I didn’t know I needed that.
Mommy-and-me time
You should know this by now, I’m a mama’s boy. Our bond is so strong that she was able to cause mechanical issues to the plane back to MN that made the pilot turn around midair, canceling the flight and giving us one more day together. Powerful, right? Being able to take my mom on a Target run, to the farmer’s market or through a car wash was a glimpse at what it’d be like living back home. Someday, Sundays will be errand time - or Aaron time - and we won’t have to include a stop at Zippy’s to pick up a Zip Pac for the plane.
