Both in the same day… or

Finally seeing my sons.

 

It was a rather un-planned week, but by the end of it I needed to get some mail to my younger son, who, although he no longer lives at home, is still using my address. (As does his girlfriend – I guess I’m the “stable” one in the family).

This doesn’t bother me in the slightest until the mail piles up.

 

I had finally bundled it up and forwarded it, only to have it returned to the parents of the friend who’s apartment he is subletting. Good thing they live in my village.

 

So it was, and having received more mail, becoming rather urgent that I transfer this. Arranged to meet him at one of our larger DIY stores out where he would be teaching that day, but got hung up in a meeting (another story) and as was getting late by the time I was free arranged to meet him directly at his school. By the time all that had happened I still went on to the DIY center, was starving to popped up first to the restaurant for a bite. I was just coming out of the line when I heard behind me “I think, Ma’am, that we perhaps know each other”. And turned to see that my older son was just putting away his tray.

 

Serendipity as it can be literally months before I see both sons the same day!

 

 

A twist on Mother’s Day tributes or...

How much it has meant to me being a mom.

I know that Mother’s Day is all about the mom and when mine was alive I made sure that I sent her a card (and hopefully conveyed to her throughout her lifetime and all my visits, how much she meant to me).

We were not a hugging, kissing, flowery words type of family – something that I have had to work on as an adult and mother (not always successfully), but this Mother’s Day one son will be in Africa and the other in Peru so instead of expecting them to be showering me with flowers, cards and the like, this is a tribute to them.

I still am not quite sure how I became so privileged as to have two sons who not only try not to harm anyone or anything but actually actively seek to help others. 

No, they are not always paragons of virtue, but their main stance in life looks outwards, considers the happiness of those around them and in their professional lives leads to more helping (volunteering, humanitarian missions) than many (myself included).

So, sons, I am grateful to have you and wish you only that, which will allow you to fulfill your “life’s mission” as you see it – may this Mother’s Day let you feel – albeit from a distance – all the love and respect that I have for you.

“Bisous”

Mom

Alexandrine B, Scott S-L, Julia S-L, Sven S-L Sept.28, 2013

Recycling and two sons

Here in Switzerland we do try and recycle: I can put my normal garbage bags out twice a week, then the compost green bin goes out on Tuesdays. Once a month we drag the cartons of paper and, if I have signed up, another the glass. Also, once a month, we can put on the sidewalk in front of our house any cumbersome objects (anything from a sofa, to a refrigerator, to leftover iron bars). During the late afternoon and evening on those days, one can see vans cruising the neighborhood looking for anything interesting and one is proud if what one divests oneself of, is no longer there in the morning for the city collectors – reverse snobbism: my junk is valuable to someone else; your junk is still on the sidewalk!

All of these items can also be taken to a recycling spot in the village, together with clothing. The rest (electronics, paints, oils, and any of the afore-mentioned items as well) we can take to specific recycling sites in the state.

My oldest son needed to get rid of a computer tower, a vacuum cleaner and other such and as he doesn’t have a car, Mother was called upon.  I decided that it was a great occasion to divest myself of those electronic items having collected several months worth of dust down in my cellar and we made an appointment to do this on the only day that the center is open both morning and afternoon.

Lovely sun, light traffic and I was across town before I knew it – arriving early at his apartment. No problem I had several of the newspapers and magazines that had accumulated during my various spots of entertaining visitors and housemates.

At the center we got rid of it all – with son one going back to recuperate several items for a chap who was looking for still-working materials for Africa (this son did his master’s project in Burkina Faso).

Another reason for doing it just before noon was to be able to have a quick lunch together as, although we both live in the same town, our schedules don’t mesh often and we will probably not sea each other until the end of September in San Francisco when my nephew - their cousin- gets married.

As son number two’s apartment isn’t far away, I also took advantage of the situation to call him and bring the mail, which had arrived this week. (Most of his mail now goes to his flat, but some of it still comes here – he has only been gone 18 months – no rush to change addresses officially, but then as son number one just did so – at age 35 – I really can’t complain and it is an excuse to see him occasionally).

Actually was free to talk so we went over our current arrangements for the trip to California.

All in all a wonderful part of the day’s activities: now on to the actual tasks that need doing.