Family Ties

Today my sister called to say that she really missed us. She was going to check into flights and try to visit us with little Annabelle. She lives in NC with her husband and 2 kids - Annabelle is 8 months and Jackson is 2 and a half. If I may say so myself, they two of the most adorable little kids you have ever seen. After we hung up, I was happy and sad at the same time. Happy that she is planning on coming, since I haven't seen her since Christmas. But it is so sad to me that we live so far away. If I could change one thing in my life, this would be it. The fact that we live so far away from each other. I mean, life is going by too fast... we are missing out on the good stuff! I miss seeing my niece and nephew and all of the amazing things that they are doing every day. I miss having her see my kids growing up and going to all of their various "things."
We are missing out. We are not there to run over on a moment's notice when one of the kids is sick and we need to take them to the hospital or doctor's. We can't have her kids sleep over and give them a "date night", or have them do that for us. I never imagined that it would be this way. I never for one minute growing up thought that we would not live in the same town, let alone the same state.

Last week a good friend of ours called to say that she was moving to New York City. Her husband is getting transferred and now they and their little one year old are coming to live here for at least 2 years. They will be right in Manhattan, or possibly Jersey City, but either way, it's just a hop, skip and a jump. I can hardly imagine the culture shock for them trying to raise a baby in NY, as it is a combination of extremely rewarding and extremely frustrating. Especially when you are used to a 4,000 sq. feet home, entertainment centers the size of a small movie theater, a backyard, 2 cars, luxury strollers that don't fold into the size of an umbrella, and well, space. But it is really exciting for them, too. They are happy to try something new and to experience life in NY. And I am happy and excited for them.
I just wish it were my sister coming instead.