Garrick and the Blending of Us All

Garrick left last night after a too-short and precious time living in one house together and coming together as a blended family. We waved good-bye to him at Doha Airport which was heaving with Eid holiday people. The second Eid of the Muslim calendar, coinciding with the Hajj, is occurring at the moment and this year happens very close to our Christmas.

Garrick is currently serving in the New Zealand Army, based at Linton with the field engineers, probably to resume his officers training next year. He arrived ten days ago looking utterly jetlagged and did the usual falling asleep at 9pm, waking at 3am for a couple of days. Due to rigorous army training in the sleep deprivation department he seemed to recover from his jetlag quicker than anyone else we've come across. His room was set out with military precision, and he soon started hounding Leo and Robbie about their bedmaking, willingness to carry out household chores, and general life habits. All this while tipping them upside down and rough housing with them before nipping outside for a fag and a quick bourbon periodically. The boys LOVED it. As did Ian and I.

Ian and he spent a lot of time together reconnecting, chewing the fat and, towards the end of his time with us, goal-setting and working out some good options for his life next year. Because we are such a new family we made sure that we just had lots of simple time together, making memories together while we have the opportunity. Leo and Robbie each were allowed a day off school to have some individual time with him. We did lots of activities together. Here are some photos:

The house feels very empty now that he is not with us.