Estherfromjerusalem
Well-Known Member
Well, as you all know, my difficult child has been in Australia for two years now (well, actually February will be two whole years). Going to Australia was his idea, and he did it all on his own. I can't say I didn't worry a bit, but it was so good knowing that he was going to be far away and no longer in our home. During these two years we have seen constant improvement (from so far away). We have been in constant contact with him, speaking on the phone and of course on Skype, and over the past six months we have been using the WhatsApp application on our mobile phones -- we being my husband and myself, and my other seven children (his brothers and sisters), and it has drawn us all closer. Oriel has gone from job to job, but he has been responsible enough not to leave one job until he has found another one, so that he can pay rent and buy food etc. He finally settled down in a house with another guy from Israel about half a year ago, and is paying rent and buying food and working. He seems to hold down a job for a few months and then go on to something else. That's fine. He enjoys the life in Australia. He enjoys the way that rules are rules and everyone seems to keep to them. The driving etiquette seems to suit him, people are restrained and have good manners. There seems to be far less tension there (well, it's not hard to find a place with less tension than Israel to live in!).
Then a few weeks ago he said that he was going to come for a visit, on 20 March, for three weeks (that would include the Passover festival which is a whole week long). Well, we were all overjoyed, because two years is really a long time and I have been missing him lately, although that took a long time to start missing him. He is, after all, my baby, my youngest child, and yes, I do miss him!
Well, to cut a long story short -- this week is Chanukah festival (eight days, lighting candles every night). On Tuesday night we were all meeting up at my sister's home, with her children and my children and my other sister's children too. And the next child up, closest to Oriel in age, called Yehuda, arrived with his wife and two children, and then he said "Here's a surprise!" and -- in walked Oriel! I was flabbergasted. We all were. It was wonderful to see him. He had planned this surprise, talking about 20 March just to camouflage his surprise. Yehuda had met him at the airport that morning and had kept him hidden in his home for the day!! I cannot tell you what a shock I had. A wonderful shock! We were all thrilled to see him. He couldn't have dreamed of a warmer welcome than he received, and since then his phone has been ringing non-stop and friends keep coming to see him.
He has definitely matured during these two years. He is staying with us here at home, and it feels quite different than it used to. There is some level of tension that used to make it unbearable to have him here in the apartment -- and now it is no longer there. He is considerate (so far) and not making waves. I am very happy to see him. I had begun thinking that I must start saving up to buy a ticket so that I can go to Australia and see him, and I am truly happy that he has come for a visit. He is still as beautiful as ever! I don't know how to post photos, otherwise I would post one here.
There, that's my update. I'm a bit worried about how he suddenly had the money to make this trip. I hope everything is OK.
Marg, if I ever come to visit him in Sydney, I hope to see you!
Love, Esther
Then a few weeks ago he said that he was going to come for a visit, on 20 March, for three weeks (that would include the Passover festival which is a whole week long). Well, we were all overjoyed, because two years is really a long time and I have been missing him lately, although that took a long time to start missing him. He is, after all, my baby, my youngest child, and yes, I do miss him!
Well, to cut a long story short -- this week is Chanukah festival (eight days, lighting candles every night). On Tuesday night we were all meeting up at my sister's home, with her children and my children and my other sister's children too. And the next child up, closest to Oriel in age, called Yehuda, arrived with his wife and two children, and then he said "Here's a surprise!" and -- in walked Oriel! I was flabbergasted. We all were. It was wonderful to see him. He had planned this surprise, talking about 20 March just to camouflage his surprise. Yehuda had met him at the airport that morning and had kept him hidden in his home for the day!! I cannot tell you what a shock I had. A wonderful shock! We were all thrilled to see him. He couldn't have dreamed of a warmer welcome than he received, and since then his phone has been ringing non-stop and friends keep coming to see him.
He has definitely matured during these two years. He is staying with us here at home, and it feels quite different than it used to. There is some level of tension that used to make it unbearable to have him here in the apartment -- and now it is no longer there. He is considerate (so far) and not making waves. I am very happy to see him. I had begun thinking that I must start saving up to buy a ticket so that I can go to Australia and see him, and I am truly happy that he has come for a visit. He is still as beautiful as ever! I don't know how to post photos, otherwise I would post one here.
There, that's my update. I'm a bit worried about how he suddenly had the money to make this trip. I hope everything is OK.
Marg, if I ever come to visit him in Sydney, I hope to see you!
Love, Esther