We've spent the last several years in cities that rank high as popular travel destinations. It turns out, that ranking is even higher when you have a cute toddler at home to welcome said travelers. It works well for us when friends want to visit us as it becomes increasingly difficult to travel with a toddler. Miriam has the whole drop off at the airport routine down that when you ask her where certain people are the response will be "on the airplane".
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Dancing with Grandma during her April visit |
Enjoying a weekend with Grandpa, even if we were on lockdown
Maybe it is just the nature of big cities, but the countless academic institutions and opportunities in and around Boston in particular attract so many people from all over the world. When we meet people and ask, "What are you here for?" we might as well be asking, "How long are you here for?". People are here for school and residencies, post docs and internships, and then when it comes to "settling down" they leave or head for the far-flung suburbs because few can afford to settle into the high and competitive housing costs.
 The two Frenchies in their stripes |
All this to say it has struck me recently that saying goodbye to people she loves is already a normal part of Miriam's life while it was much less a part of my childhood. She often asks to play with a certain friend and then remembers that oh yes, he is in France now. Another friend is off to Canada soon, and our dear friends down the street are off to Oregon. Part of it makes me sad, but then I realize that there will be people literally all over the world who know and love Miriam and new people to meet and welcome. Rather than saying goodbye, the French say 'until we meet again' and so do we to all our friends.
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