The process of relocating to another country (again), stirs up many memories and so much nostalgia, especially when you start sorting through old photos and such ... So please forgive my indulgence here as I share this little "booklet" I created to prepare my then 2.5 year old and 11 month old for the journey from South Africa to the U.S. 32 years ago. Dale was already in the U.S., having started his job, found us an apartment, and bought a new car, so we flew across to reunite with him. I read the 'book' before, and during, the journey to help prepare them (my 2.5 year old particularly) for the changes and procedures that we'd have to endure along the way. I kept it!
Lucy was in the baby sling (as seen in most drawings) and Linus walked and held my hand, while cuddling his favorite stuffed animal, Pookie. Notice in my drawing that I was naïve enough to think I'd be able to sit back and read a book during our layover! My little toddler didn't sleep at all and ended up having a meltdown on the last leg of the journey to Boston. A very kind passenger offered to hold my sleeping infant so that I could deal with my toddler's crisis. How thoughtful!
As it turns out, I was off by a whole day on the anticipated arrival date, but thankfully Dale realized it himself and was waiting for us at the airport a day earlier than expected. Phew! Thank goodness for analytical people! We all burst into tears at being together again, and Lucy did the honors of christening our first new car by throwing up on the way home! All in all, a very memorable journey.
Here's the story, presented in 2 columns, each row to be read from left to right (I forgot to number them!)
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