We went half way across the world the other day to visit my parents in South Africa. One of the biggest benefits of being here, near Atlanta, is the 16 hour direct flight. We had such a good time. I didn't want to come back!
But let me back up and write about how good God has been to us.
Both my parents were supposed to go for a three week trip to Angola, Zaire (Congo), and somewhere else...I forgot...but they were supposed to stay in really primitive places. They have been planning this trip for so long. They have materials, presentations etc to take, translate, and who knows what else. But they had been planning this for months.
When they were at the gate, my mom started to see flashes of lights in one eye, and then a dark spot. They figured it was probably a retinal detachment and canceled the trip right away. Thanks to their good friend Eustis, an ophthalmologist, she was able to be seen the next day at a clinic in Joburg, and they confirmed the detachment and took really good care of her. My dad had been having some "reflux " problems and told my mom that now that they were there, he really wanted to see a GI doctor. So he made the appointment, got tested and was told that he might have a cardiac problem instead. He went to the cardiologist right away and was set up to have a stress ECG, later told that he needed an angiogram and that's when we got the call to "pray for dad, because he's having an angiogram and might need a stent put in." So we prayed. Being so far away is not fun when you are a close family. Later when we called, mom told us that because of the blockage, dad was going to stay at the hospital and was set up for surgery the next Tuesday, when the surgeon would be back. So we waited, dad had surgery, and it turned out to be a 5 vessel bypass surgery. He was in the ICU for a while, then went to the ward and eventually was released to go home. Laura was able to go and help mom, but we all wanted to go. With Jordan being so little, and my dad being so weak, it was just not a good idea to go right away, but as soon as we had a chance, we bought a ticket, packed our suitcase and left on a 16 hr. flight straight for Johanesburg. Jonathan couldn't come early with Jordan and myself, but joined us a week later.
Jordan did so good on the trip. He slept about 10 out of the 16 hrs. and played the rest of the time.
It was so nice to have them waiting for us and to see them again.
The first week was great. We basically rested and played with Jordan. They had bought a slide, a tricycle, stuffed animals, books, and more toys...he loved being there....but most of all...SAM. He chased sam, fed him "illegal" crackers, slept in his bed. Sam loved it...specially the crackers. Jordan would come saying "hambre" (hungry)...like he was starving. Then he would make the signal for "cracker" and stood right next to the pantry. We would give him the cracker and then he would run away to find Sam. He loved feeding Sam.
Jonathan came on Saturday night. It was soooo nice to see him after a week apart. I don't like being away from him and as much fun as it was, it's never as fun without him. Jordan was so happy to see "daddy." He didn't let him leave his sight. It's only now that he doesn't cry a storm when Jonathan goes to work. He does talk about "daddy" all day.
On Sunday we went to Kreuger. It was so much fun. Jonathan, Jordan and I would wake up and go on an early morning drive where we got to see so many wonderful animals. We then went back to the bungalow, made breakfast, picked up my parents, had breakfast and went for another drive.
We always took mate, snacks and it was absolutely perfect.
Mom and dad got to rest, and it was a nice break for all of us.
The second week went by too fast. We had to come back home, but the memories we made will be with us forever.
