Hellooooo, anybody there...The Phone Call Part 2
I did it! I did it! Yay for me! I called my Dad on Tuesday and I got my sister's phone number. I got his number off the Mexican White Pages--gotta love the Internet! I spoke to him for about 15 minutes, at first it was a bit awkward--I didn't know if I should call him Dad or by his first name, at the end, I ended up calling him plainly Papa. The conversation was so pleasant and I felt like I was talking to a friend. He asked about my children and he even got to talk to them on the phone--Little Benny said "hi grandma" to which he said, "I'm not grandma, I am grandpa!". It felt sooo good inside to hear him say those words. I plan on calling him again...soon, as soon as I establish a long distance plan with my phone service.
My Papa gave me my sister's phone number and yesterday I was so caught up with thinking about the phone call to my Dad that I decided to call my sister today--actually, I called but no one answered, so I just decided to try today.
Talking to my sister was like talking to an old friend--we chated for about an hour! We laughed and talked about the things we like and dislike. She loves reading fantasy books just like me! She says she loves to cook and she is pretty good at it too! As you know, I am not that good at that and I told her but she didn't believe me. She invited me to come over and visit her and she said she would take me out to the beach and we can take long walks on the beach and just get to know each other while our children play in the sand. She was so interested in knowing about me and what I have done with my life and I was asking questions non-stop that we barely had a moment to catch our breath. It was so amazing! We talked about simple things like how tall we are, how tubby, how many scars we have, color of hair, eyes--we are getting to know each other like little children do. Oh and guess what, I am the aunt of 7 little tykes, she has 3 little girls, my other sister has 2, and my other sister has 2 too.
Right now, I am bursting with happiness--I know I have a little brother to talk to all the time, but it is so great to finally have a relationship with my sisters--to be able to talk to them and get to know them is so joyous. I am feeling very blessed at this point in my life...I feel like a void inside of me is filling up little by little.
After talking to my sister the other day, I told hubby that it would be so great if I could go and meet my sisters this year. It would be so wonderful to see them after 23 years, to touch them, give them a hug and to laugh together or cry together. After thinking for awhile about the possibilities of going to Mexico, I went to Travelocity to price tickets and I came to the realization that it is a dream, a very expensive dream. But, I have my heart set on going to see them...I have to! As a result of this, I have decided to cut down on my yarn purchases--I am going on a yarn diet (the yarn I bought last week and hasn't arrived doesn't count as I already bought it). I am going to start a little piggy bank "Isela's Dream Piggy" and put all my pennies in there. I was saving for a fancy camera, but seeing my sisters is more important than a fancy camera. It is going to be difficult raising the money as I don't have a regular job but I will be placing all the monies from my patterns and any video donations into my Dream Piggy...so far, I have about 5%...only 95% to go.
Pictures: I am knitting the Hedera socks right now. I have about half a sock completed...the pictures were taken this morning.
Writing Style: I know that it probably reads like a kid wrote the above but I feel so bubbly right now, I hope you can forgive my writing.
That's wonderful! I am glad that you have found you are able to have a good relationship with your relatives! I hope you are able to go and see them this year, as that is a wonderful goal to strive for. Remember, no matter how beautiful that hand dyed yarn that you are going to come across is, saving for the trip is more important!
Posted by: Joy | January 25, 2007 at 01:20 AM
It doesn't sound like kid's talk at all, Isela, just plain happiness. I don't know why you came to be separated from your sisters for so long, but it is wonderful that you are filling up that void within you. My sisters have always been my best friends ever - I would be so totally different without them - and I'm glad you are finding your own sisters again, too.
Praying that your dream of flying to Mexico may come true this year! I was planning on purchasing some of your patterns soon, and that'll make me doubly happy now. :)
Have you considered selling some of your fabulous knitting on Etsy? As soon as I find the time to sew up a few pretty things, I'm gonna try it out. I'm sure you'd have lots of success!
Warm wishes from Paris, France, where it is cold but oh so sunny :)
Posted by: Isabelle | January 25, 2007 at 02:27 AM
Love you!!
Posted by: peggy | January 25, 2007 at 06:42 AM
Wow, Isela, I'm so happy for you! This has got to be really exciting. I wouldn't be able to string two coherent words together, so really I think you're doing quite well!
I would keep watching the airfares--sometimes it's not as bad to go to Mexico as you would think! Could you fly to one of the cheaper Mexican airports and drive from there? Anyway, good luck planning for your trip and I'll see you soon! (I'm thinking I'll be in Logan next Friday and Saturday, the 2nd and 3rd. Will you be around then?)
Posted by: Kim | January 25, 2007 at 07:08 AM
How wonderful that you are reconnecting with your family! I think a trip to see them is a great motivator for a yarn diet.
Posted by: Jennifer | January 25, 2007 at 07:30 AM
It's fun learning all that stuff about yourself that you learn when you connect with your family! Gives you a whole new perspective!
Posted by: Denise | January 25, 2007 at 07:53 AM
I am so happy for you! It so wonderful to connect after such a long time.
Posted by: Brenda | January 25, 2007 at 10:50 AM
That is really great news!! A good incentive to save for! :)
Posted by: Zonda | January 25, 2007 at 11:13 AM
How nice to see you overflowing with joy!
I hope your dream comes true, and you get to go to see your family in Mexico soon.
The socks looks lovely. A yarn diet will be tough, but the reward will be worth it.
Huggz!
Posted by: Jeannie | January 25, 2007 at 11:46 AM
Oh Isela! What wonderful news! I am really happy for you! You know what, it may seem difficult now... But I know you can do it! I will be waiting for part III along with all the pictures of you and your most awesome family reunion!
So glad all is well:)
Posted by: Marisol | January 25, 2007 at 12:19 PM
What a blessing! I am so excited for you!
Posted by: Lynda | January 25, 2007 at 01:03 PM
I'm so happy for you Isela. I can feel your excitement through your writing.
Amy
Posted by: Amy | January 25, 2007 at 02:41 PM
Isela, your post very accurately reflects your elation! I'm so happy you've reconnected successfully with your "South of the Border" family. :) I hope your little piggy fills up quickly!
Posted by: Cindy in Oregon | January 25, 2007 at 02:44 PM
Wonderful Isela! I'd be honoured to have you as a sister :)
Posted by: Kansas A | January 25, 2007 at 04:03 PM
I'm rejoicing with you! How exciting!
I put a handful of change in your piggy bank for you!
love you,
B
Posted by: Becky | January 25, 2007 at 04:34 PM
That is awesome! Thanks for sharing your exciting news.
Posted by: Erin | January 25, 2007 at 07:26 PM
Oh Isela!!! That's wonderful news.
Posted by: Scoutj | January 25, 2007 at 08:37 PM
Isela, I will pray for you to get there! That is wonderful! Don't worry about the camera. Once you get there, the camera will come.
I am so glad that you re-connected with your family. Family is so important. They're part of history!
Posted by: sahara | January 26, 2007 at 09:29 AM
I'm so happy for you! It's wonderful that you're able to connect with family.
Posted by: Kathy N | January 26, 2007 at 10:57 AM
What an emotional whirlwind you've been on in the space of a week! I'm so glad your baby is well. How terrifying! AND then to have such joy come into your life so soon after! Your excitement and happiness is so wonderful to witness! I got my winning yarn yesterday! (I can't believe you took time to mail it--it could have waited!) Thank you so much...that was such a generous gift. It's so pretty...
Posted by: Knitting Bandit | January 26, 2007 at 11:05 AM
Hi, I understand what you're going through because my daughter was born with seizures and it feels like you were punched in the gut. There is no worse feeling than seeing your baby all hooked up to tubes and not knowing what will happen. I'm glad you're all better. My family is also so far away, most in Texas and the rest in Saltillo, Coahuila. I haven't been to Mexico since I was 18. It's hard having everyone so far away, I really hope you get to see them soon. I love your site. You surely have lots of people praying for you and your family, I am.
Posted by: Patricia_K | January 26, 2007 at 05:51 PM
That's so awesome to hear all of this good news!! I can't tell you how thrilled I was to read you had a great chat with your dad and your sis! YAY!!
Posted by: KnitPastis | January 26, 2007 at 06:42 PM
Isela i truly think you are an amazing and talented woman.I look up to you especially having read about your life on your blog for a while now.You are reaping what you have sown and i hope it continues to go well for you and your dreams for ALL your family come true. You deserve it.I am glad you found out about those seizures your little girl was having.Keep on keeping on girl! love from Australia.
Posted by: Jacqui | January 28, 2007 at 05:09 AM
Hi Isela! Dropping in to say what great news! Wow ... what a story. Glad you and everyone else are well!
Posted by: Jenifer | January 28, 2007 at 07:52 AM
That is wonderful! I hope you can get teh money together, it would be a wonderful trip. Maybe if you asked a travel agent ot keep an eye on the sales? Also, if you leave on a non-weekend day, sometimes you can save a little money on the fare.
Posted by: Carol | January 28, 2007 at 03:52 PM