On Dads And Car Dealers
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Dad and baby R,
I am writing from Nepal Ganj where we are still fixing our dear sweet car, Scorpio. Did you forget about her? The poor little thing has been having to sit here, with the mechanics for months following the landslide incident. Thanks to all of you, getting Scorpio has been a dream come true: carrying up to 150 pounds of rice, potatoes, onions, tomatoes, soap, sugar, flour, on our backs or on the bike/bicycles, for kilometers was getting increasingly difficult. With Scorpio when there are water shortages we can go to the local springs and bring water back to the house without having to wait hours to arrange transportation. Even more, knowing that in the event of an emergency we are able to move the children safely and efficiently is enormously comforting. My children and staff and I so appreciate the gift of Scorpio, so it's been hard to watch and wait. Now, she is ALMOST fixed, and by almost, I mean kind of but not really. I am not going to torment you with the entire story of our car dealership and the mechanics and the import of parts from India to Nepal and the wheelings and dealings that have been going on. Rest assured, we are in good hands with our insurance company but I've been to Nepal Ganj, a city 3 hours from our home at least 10 times dealing with all of this and when it's all over I'm going to need a major smudge ceremony (that's a reference for you Mom!)
Long story short, having Scorpio fixed has been incredibly frustrating. Maybe this is all some kind of "welcome to the real world lesson" that I had to learn, I haven't really figured it out yet. I mean I know car accidents, and car dealers, and mechanics are a hard thing to deal with anywhere but here in Nepal it's been especially tough. This afternoon we are waiting for one last piece to be fixed to the car. It's an important piece, attached to the axel and I'm sitting here with my fingers crossed that all goes smoothly and we can drive Scorpio home as soon as possible. (She has been missed times 35.) When I tell my dad, who unfortunately for him is the one who has to hear the ins and outs of what's happening with all this he says perfectly calmly in his Dad like voice "you know Maggie, with a car comes a great responsibility."
I've been learning this the very very hard way.
On to my dad now. I've been getting lots of messages asking what it's REALLY like having him here and of course wanting stories. Mostly what I've loved is just his presence and being able to really talk and be together without having to send an email or go on skype. I haven't had a ton of time to write but I do have this running list of...
The TOP 5 things about having my Dad around:
1) He has a superpower of putting crying babies to sleep. (FOR REAL!)
2) He always makes sure there are enough balls around to play with "to keep the boys out of trouble" and can play catch or kick a soccer ball around for hours.
3) He comes into my room, takes the babies, does my laundry and changes diapers.
4) He has a very special way of making time for each and every child and making them feel special and loved.
5) Watching him talk and interact with the kids I get to remember exactly what he was like when I was a kid.
Good dads and grandfathers are really a gift and I think my dad could write a book on fathering.
p.s. Please send some good vibes out into the universe for Scorpio that she can be driven home soon. I really don't want to have to stay here another night. I didn't even bring a change of clothes.