116 and counting

116 days ago Sage started a countdown until The Big Day when her beloved aunts and grandparents would return from Israel. For quite a while she updated the count daily. Even after she and I both lost track of the days, we have felt the emptiness of knowing that, although we can email and "Skype" them, our loved ones are far far away having the adventure of a lifetime.

In the last month, they spent 15 of 17 consecutive days on various field trips throughout the country. And even though they are busier than bees, my amazing mom managed to remember her adoring preschool fan club back in the boring U.S.

For example, here is an email that came a month ago:

Dear Sage & Eliza, Jacob & Cindy,

Yesterday we hiked up a big hill and saw something crazy...There was a herd of sheep with its shepherd. But if you look closely at the second picture, one of those crazy sheep was standing on his back legs eating leaves out of a tree! Can you believe that? I took a picture so you could see the crazy sheep!
Love, Grandma Boosky

And another email after Grandma received the picture Sage drew of her:
Dear SAGE,
I LOVE the picture! It looks just like me! Thank you. Thank you. And your writing is amazing. I can see that you are ready to start kindergarten!
Lovies, Grandma

And when I blogged about neighbors asking if I was pregnant, my mom not only taught me to see the world through a positive lens, but also made me feel good about myself when she posted this comment:
"As for the neighbors...well, can you blame them for hoping? --Mom"

And now Sage and I are both counting down the last 116 hours with anticipation.