We visit Fiona

Today we took an earlier train into the Big City so that we would have more time to spend with Fiona.  We left our house at a bit before 9 and arrived in the Big City about 11. We got to her school really quickly so we basically had from 11:15 to 2:30 to spend with her.  The only train we can get to leave the Big City is either a 3:30 or a 5:30.  I so can't do a 5:30 train with 2 kids as young as KC and Lissa in tow.  They woke up at 5:30 this morning because they were so excited to go see Fi.

It was a really good visit.  We spent time playing basketball, she painted Lissa's fingernails for her and we had a most excellent lunch in their dining hall.  The other kids and staff had eaten earlier so we had the place to ourselves.  I could not believe all the vegetarian options the chef had left for us.  Grilled portobello mushrooms topped with sauteed spinach and roasted red and yellow pepper.  Big leafy green salads. Fruits galore.  Plus bagels and waffles which were more kid friendly.  It was divine. We frosted the mini cupcakes I brought to celebrate Rob's birthday and Fiona gave him an acrylic painting she had made for him.  It is really beautiful, mountains at a sunset. I'll try and take a picture to post up sometime.  We also spent time seeing her room again and meeting lots of the other students and a fair number of staff folks.  One of the things that Fiona showed me was a scrapbook I have never seen before.  In it, she has kept every single card and letter and picture I have ever sent her.  I can tell because I have a really good memory and the pictures that I made the cards out of made it easy to see the chronology. It touched me so deeply to see that.  I have always believed that you  often don't usually get to know when you do something that is really good for someone.  This was one of those times when I got the gift of seeing how that effort has helped and has been appreciated.  Since Fiona never wrote back more than 3 times and for many years we had no phone contact, it really blew me away.

We also spent time playing with a host of wonderful musical instruments and making a "family tree" (this was the kids collaborative idea).  We drew  a giant tree on paper and Fiona photocopied some of the pictures of all of us that she has saved.  Then we cut them out and glued them on the tree. We spent the last part of the visit coloring the tree and adding flowers and butterflies and garlands of flowers.  We didn't have time to finish all of it, but we finished enough that they all felt good about it.

Jane came in on her day off to help this visit happen.  I continue to be amazed at her generosity of time and spirit and her dedication to Fiona's healing.