42 Hours

What do you do when you have 42 hours with your sister you haven't seen since just before the pandemic?  You pack it full.

The first night we stayed up very late talking until my sister literally fell asleep in the middle of our conversation.  The next morning, we started leisurely with a carry-out brunch from our favorite spot. Since my sister is, among other accomplishments, an artist, Big Girl received a free art lesson and took what she'd learned to paper right away, creating this drawing:

We had to make a quick pit stop at the craft store, so that my sister could help me put together Little One's jellyfish Halloween costume and we carved pumpkins to boot.

Sister and I had time for a long walk before she started cooking Persian Adas Polo - she's married to an Iranian man and, therefore, quite well versed in this type of cuisine.  Plus cooking is one of her love languages.  Yum!

After dinner we lounged around the family room and talked about some plans for our hopeful next visit with one another and we told the kids stories from our childhood.  Our conversation continued after the children went to bed.

On our final morning Sister was up early due to frustrating news regarding her transatlantic flight having been canceled.  A much more stressful itinerary had already been booked for her and despite our best efforts, we could not find anything better.  We chatted in bed for two hours and then just had time for breakfast and some backyard photos.

Even though the time went too fast and was too short, I am so thankful we had it.