The compare and contrast session continues when it comes to family. Chris's family is here where we live while mine lives in the northeast. I haven't been anywhere in New England since November 2008 (almost a year) which means I hadn't seen any of my family members, until my father came to visit!
Pops had never been to Texas. In fact, he had never ridden on a commercial airplane before his recent holiday. He had quite the adventure!
His short journey lasted approximately four days. We began the extended weekend by relaxing at my apartment while waiting to hear from the airline (they misplaced his luggage. D'oh!). I then brought him to Chris's family's home where my father became the first member of my family to meet hers.
It was a fun night filled with pasta, crusty Italian bread, and wine. That was also the night Chris and I took our first steps toward buying a car...
The following day I brought dear ole dad to Abuelo's, an excellent Mexican restaurant. We spent a good two hours discussing life, travel, and philosophy, among other things. Pops then became one of the privileged few to witness me playing Rock Band. You know you're jealous.
His stay culminated with a trip to Fiddlesticks Farm, a local tourist attraction that's quite popular with kids of all ages. The farm is relatively new, two years old if I properly recall. Among the farm's activities include a giant corn maze, pumpkin and corn cannons, and rides. They have a "pick your own" pumpkin patch (though it is essentially a clear spot of dirt where they lay the bulbous orange vegetables procured from some other place).
It was a good day.
Bittersweet.
The lack of time we had together made me extremely sad.
Perhaps next year I can finally return home. At least for a short while.
