Visiting

Over the weekend, we took Sam to the airport after a quick ten day visit. We also bought Ali a suitcase, so she can start packing for her semester in Budapest. For a few days there, we had noise and inside jokes and rollicking battles over who drove which car. It was a flashback - it was a richly detailed encore presentation of a few years ago. A few times, I simply fell silent, not wanting to break the spell.

It was a fine visit, but it was only a visit. Somehow, in the signing of New York City leases and part-time jobs, the balance shifted. Not long ago, he lived here, but went to school in New York. Now he lives in New York, but came back for vacation. His "stuff" is mostly in New York - the closet full of Star Wars items is only nostalgia.

Ali, on the other hand, has lived here this summer. We've had the luxury of time, so that we could spend it in bickering over plugged in hair straighteners and who does the dishes. But it's about to end, and we'll be driving her to the airport, too, for a flight to a country I've never seen, full of people speaking a language I've never heard. Chances are strong that her balance will shift before she returns home, or over the next summer. Next time, or the time after that, she will visit us instead of live with us.

I'm proud of them and wouldn't have it any other way. If the choice is whether to have them visit us or move back home because they couldn't find their places in the world, I'll gladly host their visits.

Sometimes, though, I wish the calendar would roll a little slower.