The End Begins

We are coming to a close here. In less than a week we will be getting on a flight--all four of us--to go back to Senegal. There are daily reminders of our upcoming departure.

Today was Gusi's last day of preschool in the US. We gave his teachers and his soccer coach gift certificates as thank yous for having been so welcoming to Gusi, and for having helped him learn so much. After the children had lunch, Papi and I (and the baby) brought by cupcakes for the kids and a cake for the teachers. They had all prepared a big book full of photos and letters from his classmates and teachers, and put it together with some toys as a going away present. Gusi was thrilled. I was touched. I teared up quite a bit. Amazing. I cried on his first day of preschool and again on his last. He will only have one first preschool, one first coach, one first teacher. My baby is growing up. Actually, my baby is growing and my little boy is growing up. But they will always be my babies. Always.