Posted on September 3, 2010
Who is sweeter than honey? My lovely Mom, of course.
Her life has been dedicated to others. Nothing for herself. Always selfless, always giving, always thinking of us. From the moment she wakes up, lifting up our names in prayers, to the moment she goes to bed, doing the same, she always thinks of us–her offsprings–first. If I want a good meal, if I want a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on, a big hug, or to hear “I love you” all I have to do is call Mom. She has been one constant force in my life. One I could rely on in any situation. Ever since my childhood I adored her and wanted to be like her… and I indeed became so much like her in so many ways.
Last week my Mom turned 81! Unfortunately we had to load up the semi with our stuff to ship off to Westerville, OH, and I had to dash off to shoot a wedding and Mom was going to a wedding herself as well–to her grandson’s wedding. My sister, Marina, ran out early in the morning, got Mom a big bouquet of flowers [Mom LOVES flowers] and a cake, and we had a mini-birthday celebration. [I do believe that my husband enjoyed the cake more than anyone else 
]
Happy birthday, Mom! We love you so much with all of your perfections and imperfections alike. We love you for who you raised us to be! 7 boys, 7 girls, 13-in-laws, 50+ grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren [with 3 more on the way]–we all adore you! May you love long, may your heart be always filled with joy and eyes with a light of happiness.
Posted on September 2, 2010
Only a couple of days ago we were in Washington, saying goodbyes to our family… holding our hearts tight and our tears back as much as possible. Our last night there all of my 6 sisters showed up to see us off and we snapped a few images with all of us and Mom.
I miss them all terribly already.
Then there were also many others, but I will share a few of my nieces and nephews, starting with one of the youngest, who loves to torture uncle Demetrye 
[he misses her terribly also]
Demetrye and I were running last minute errands when we ran into my nephew and his cute kids at a store… Isn’t my grand-nephew a doll?!
Handsome Zakir got dressed up just for me… almost made me cry. I love him to pieces.
Lovely Luba [we call her Lubava ] along with my sister Vera and her kids graced us with their presence also.
Don’t know what my sister and I are going to do without each other now…
Superstar Alla had enough charisma to light up the room… and so she did.
Our plane was leaving at 7 am, so we had to be up at 4 that morning… so don’t judge the sleepy look on our faces. [we are at the airport]
Thank God for good friends who came to help us unload our belongings…
The guys were hanging out waiting for the towing truck to show up to unload our cars, while preoccupying themselves with meaningful conversations [not!]
I can’t believe we are here… I can’t believe that there is no family around us… it feels strange, odd, abnormal… but we have to get used to it for now. Meanwhile I keep myself busy with unpacking, cleaning… and did I say unpacking?! Next week I am planning to get out and meet new people, make new connections in Westerville/Columbus OH and start working on scheduling fabulous sessions… which means that I need to go location hunting.
