Musings on Father's Day

It's days like yesterday, Father's Day, where the reality of being an expat sets in more than usual.  We weren't able to celebrate the day with my dad, but of course we were able to talk.  But, it would have been great to be spending the time with my dad in person.  We were definitely also missing our mom's on Mother's Day, but we happened to be in Greece at the time which made it a tad bit easier.

Don't get me wrong, Tom and I are incredibly fortunate for our experience and are doing our best to jump into it 100 percent.  And, being an expat is not all European vacations and glamour.  My mom has taught me the concept that things do not have to be black and white in life and can be both a balance of good and bad.  And, being an expat definitely falls into that gray area. Tom and I are blessed to have a truly wonderful life in Warsaw.  Our experience has changed each of us for the better...making us more patient, easygoing and grounding us about what life is really about.  We are so grateful for this time in our lives and know what a unique experience it is.  And, of course, the part of this experience that we struggle with the most is being far away from our family and friends.  My heart aches a little every time we are away from our parents on Mother's Day and Father's Day.  And, I was really sad to miss my niece's kindergarten graduation.  But, we are continually thankful for cheap phone prices and skype which allow us to stay connected to our loved ones as much as when we lived in the states.  And, whenever those moments of sadness creep up, we focus on maximizing our time in Warsaw and taking advantage of all it has to offer.

In honor of Father's Day, I'd like to give a special shout out to the best daddy a girl could ask for in life.  One who took her to special dad/sarah breakfasts every Friday before school growing up, one who baked the best birthday cake a 7 year old could ask for, one who guided by example as a son to his parents, one who has taught his daughter how to be a responsible and confident woman, one who has been the most loving and supportive dad anyone could ask for, and the most gentle and caring soul in the entire world.  Dad we love you so much!  Thanks for being the most amazing Dad to me and to being Tom's second Dad in life! xo

And, don't feel badly for Tom and I when we come across these hard times....we have wonderful things ahead...Lauren visits later this week and then we are off to the Polish seaside for a weekend.