| Newfoundland 2003 |
 |
| Monday December 22, 2004 -- 1:00pm When you arrive in St. John's, there is always excitement in the air - even when it's 1:00 in the morning and you've arrived an hour late. You walk up the ramp from the plane, through a set of doors, and then you're there - standing at the top of a wide stair, feeling like a celebrity. At the bottom of the stairs is a crowd of faces - old men, babies and everyone in between, looking up at you as if your arrival is the only thing of interest in the whole world. People are jumping up and down and waving with excitement and happiness. Jane and her boyfriend, Ian, met us, and Jane drove us home, chatting about who would arrive when and telling stories about the children. There had been a wet snow, and everything was coated in it - it looked as if the trees had been spray-painted. We kept our eyes on the sides of the highway, watching for moose while Jane told stories about the accidents they cause, and about the hunting course she and Lorna had taken in order to get their moose hunting licenses. This morning, my cousin Paul was in to visit. I heard his voice downstairs as I struggled to wake up. He and his wife Carolyn are here until the 4th. They've been living in Oklahoma City, but are moving to Houston soon - all for their jobs, which are with some oil company I think. They are both very successful, but I'm not surprised. Paul was always smart. When I first came downstairs, Dad Noel was looking out the window and didn't know I was there. I walked right up to him and tapped his leg with my foot. When he turned around and saw me there, I thought his face would break from smiling. He's so happy to have all of us here. My great-uncle John, who lives in the old parsonage, came in later. The talk was of the price of wood, how no one helps their neighbors anymore, and Christmas lights. There was plenty of coffee, fried bologna, white bread and banana bread. Yum. Uncle Davis is here now. I've come upstairs to be alone for a little while. It can be overwhelming when you're not used to it! Now that I'm on the bed though, I could fall back to sleep, which I think I will until someone notices. |
 |