Yesterday was Father’s Day. The day on Facebook when everyone tries to one-up each other with touching tributes, photo collages, and effusive praise for the “best dad ever.” Whoops. Totally missed that one. I’m serious when I say that living in Bahrain is like being suspended in a time warp, where every day is the same and then all of a sudden: AMERICAN HOLIDAY! Except by the time people in the US wake up and start posting about it, our day is already halfway over. Add in the Sunday as a workday twist and we are perpetually confused.
I hate to admit that last week (or 2 weeks ago? Again, time warp) Josh’s mom asked what Camille would like for her birthday and it took me a few seconds to realize that we were already in the month of June and ohgoshIbetterordersomethingfromAmazonTODAY! I’m glad I have people in my life who are on top of things because otherwise her birthday would have been sprung on me when Josh brought home the boxes of presents from the Grandparents that came this week and I would have been left wrapping packs of gum and tic-tacs for her gifts. Instead she’ll be getting a Doc McStuffins costume (I know, I wanted to get her an unbranded doctor kit instead of the commercialized Disney one, but she wanted to be Doc McStuffins and I am weak to her charms . . . ), provided it arrives on time.
In spite of my failings, I hope both dads in my life know how much I love and appreciate them. We couldn’t ask for more supportive parents. Many people ask, “How do your families feel about you being so far away/living in the Middle East?” and it surprises them to hear that not only do you encourage us, but that you’ve also come to visit us in both countries. When we hear about families that guilt trip about the distance and refuse to travel to this region it makes us love you all even more. (Moms too. Especially when we have taken your grandbabies to the other side of the world. Sorry.)
As for this dad, my kids are lucky that I picked such a good one. I knew he was the one when I was working as a nanny and he would carry Joe and help me put his infant carseat in the back of my gold bug when we’d take trips to the zoo. At 21 he was already showing that he had what it takes to be a great parent. And we are glad he is home!
We are also off schedule because Josh is home for 2 extra days (as a break from their extended exercise) so the 3 of us headed to the pool/resort today for swimming and lunch. On actual Father’s Day I forgot to wish Josh a “Happy Father’s Day” until I saw a dad hugging his son in the mall and Josh cooked dinner for us that night. Whoops again.
Tomorrow is the boys’ last full day of school (and they are debating whether they have to attend the last 1/2 day or not) and then we are on VACATION. Happy summer!
