Coming to Portugal meant that our children could learn Portuguese. It was also important to me that they be exposed to Portuguese culture. I have been blessed by the beautiful people I have met every placed we have lived. I really have. Yet, I knew that the culture and the village lifestyle would be something wonderful to expose my children to. We also desperately wanted for my father to come stay with us. For one, we wanted to see him. Simple as that. But frankly, there is another reason. We also believed Portugal would be good for my father.

Living alone in the United States, it is very easy for someone to isolate themselves. To get anywhere, at least where we are from, you hop in your car. Here you can’t go get your mail without seeing at least one neighbor, sometimes two. There are no secrets in a village to be sure, but there is aways company.

My father was supposed to come ‘visit’ us six months ago. Unfortunately due to a medical issue he had to cancel his flight the day before he was due to leave. This Friday, he finally made it.

On our drive to our apartment in Lisboa, he reminisced about driving through that area over 45 years ago and how much it’s changed. I was amazed at how much that man can remember. After a good nap we went to pick the children up from school. Nuno ran to his vôvô. My son loves his grandfather and has a very special place in his heart for the man.

The ride home was lovely. My father and I chatted the entire way and he seemed happy that the kids were handling some Portuguese. Pretty darn happy.

I will be honest, this past week has been pretty stressful. We had a lot on and we were two days away from a big party for Nuno’s birthday. A party with maybe too many kids that I would have to entertain for a few hours. Can you see where my head was?

Well, upon driving into my village we passed my cousin. He and I had ‘pumpkin business’ to attend to that very night. We stopped on the road and had quick hellos, driving off as a car approached. It was a quick stop, but nonetheless sweet to unexpectedly spot a family member we adore on our drive in. With a car full of stuff and a son needing to go for a wee, we opted to drive straight to the house then go to my godmother’s (my dad’s sister) house after. But to my great surprise we passed her walking back from our house. I quickly pulled into the salão parking lot and my dad and I hopped out. We were also quickly joined by Sr. Antonio, my cousin’s partner. This man is a gem. I will be honest. At first my dad seemed stiff, almost shy, but after a few minutes he was beaming. I tell you, right there I knew that his all nighter to prepare and pack for this trip and his near heart attack as he ran to catch a flight  connecting in Madrid was worth it. That smile on his face was gift not only to him, but to me. Obrigada Madrinha for lighting up my dad’s smile. Muitos Beijos!

So while we are down in Lisboa my cats are treated to homemade soups every day. So it should come as no surprise that after dropping my darling husband back up at the house so that he could get things ready  for Nuno’s birthday Halloween party, that he too got a delivery of fresh homemade fish soup. Both he and I realize that those cats eat better than we do mid week.

Obrigada Ti Evangelina…

Okay, today, at this moment in his life I do not think Nuno will mind this picture being there for the world to see. But one day, he might be too cool. And he might question my motives for posting a picture of him having fallen asleep reading a book about Halloween. But to me, his mother, this captures so much of what I love about him. 1) He, just like every other child is just so damn cute when he’s asleep. 2) He fell asleep reading! Do I need to say more? I mean really isn’t there a moment where you move the book aside? Nope, reading ’til he passes out. Now, that’s hard core. 3) He loves Halloween as much as his mommy. A little gift this child gives me every year, so far at least, is asking that we celebrate his birthday as a  Halloween theme. This year we are celebrating on the day. Two birds, one stone, thank you Nuno.

Halloween does not exist as we know it in Portugal. But, we will do our part to make it fun for us and our friends. We just ordered the book he fell asleep reading, along with a few others to get us all in the mood. I specifically ordered the one on his head to share the ‘basics’ of what Halloween is with the kids’ classes. I am going in to read and talk about Halloween to his and Lana’s classes. I can not assume that the kids know anything about Halloween, so I am starting with the basics. You see, even last year there was some confusion. The kiwis had it in their mind that Halloween was only about scary costumes. So when I showed up at an adult’s Halloween party dresses as a New Jersey Housewife people thought I was mad. What? Really? People questioning MY understanding of Halloween?!?!? Not on my watch will I allow children to grow up with such mis-information. The kids in Lana and Nuno’s class are going to learn the true meaning of Halloween.