Saying Goodbye This Time......

Usually, our volunteers are saying hello, rather than goodbye. But in this case, it's goodbye to the Ladan Omar family, who are headed for Minnesota.

Below is the last "story" from volunteers, Julianne, Kristi, and Julianne's daughter, Rebecca. The next time they'll be together is when they see them off from the bus station, 11PM, October 5.
Hi Joanie,
Well - we've reached the end of the line with the Omar family. :( We had our last visit last night. Kristi and I went over and drove all the troops back to our homes for a final farewell. Krisit had prepared a veritable FEAST of all the Omar favorites: muffins, bananas, oranges, cantaloupe... and then she even popped popcorn in her "I think my mother got this for a wedding gift in the late 60's" airpop popcorn popper. You try explaining 'retro' to a Somali refugee!!

We have truly reached a wonderful level of comfort with this family. Ahmedshukri talked the ENTIRE way to my house - and we really have not heard his little voice all that much. I thought he was singing - and when I asked him if he was- all the kids laughed! He has the sweetest, most lyrical voice you can even imagine. Ladan and all the children were reading the street signs and naming the correct letters , "FRED MEYER!! F - R - E - D- ..." "SONIC!! S - O - N ..." It really was amazing to be around them and see how comfortable and talkative they have all become.

I have a big bucket of beads and necklace/bracelet line at my house so Ladan and the children spent the bulk of their time making wonderful jewelry. Ladan kept looking at her new bracelets on her arm all the way home.

Kristi told Abdi and Maryan that Sunday was my 40th birthday and Abdi told us that I was "Like a GrandMom." So I smacked him across the head. Did I mention that we are all getting pretty comfortable with one another??

No family outing would be appropriate without a tantrum from at least one child so Moulid delivered in spectacular style when I told him that it was his turn to sit in the backseat. And it is good to know that even Somali moms can be totally controlled by their children- Ladan gave up and let Moulid have his way.

And as a final testament to the level of comfort and trust we have achieved - Kristi was asked to take Maryan, Abdi and Ahmed to WINCO while I took the rest of the family back home. And Ladan did not seem to be the slightest bit nervous.

We are so happy that the Omars are on to another wonderful adventure Monday night. But we are so sad that it seems to be happening just at the most amazing time in our relationship with them. I will send a couple pictures when I download them. :) Julianne