Departure Day

We were all up early; had a light breakfast; then checked out and waited for Josh to arrive with the van driver. Avery and I got into the van and headed to the airport. Josh took the girls in the rental car.

At Fiumicino – we had to deal with the logistics of getting all 20 pieces of our luggage inside the terminal with no porter around to help. I think he was "on break." The process was further complicated by having to go through a passport check (with all the luggage) before transporting the luggage yet again to the check-in-counter. Somewhere along the way, we found a porter who was willing to help us.

I am in no way exaggerating when I say that we spent one full hour at the check-in-counter while our luggage was inventoried. I don't think they'd seen anything like it. In the end, we paid 150 euros for putting Josh’s bike on the plane. Otherwise there were no other charges. We moved to and from Italy for 150 euros (aside from the passenger fares, of course).

Once on the plane but before we left the ground, Charlotte said she wanted to tell me something. She told me that she had already spoken to Josh in the room last night and now she wanted to talk to me too. She thanked me for bringing her to Italy. She said it "was the most amazing year of my life." I started to cry.

Meanwhile, Olivia was still not feeling well. She was very lethargic and had not been eating much, but she did not have a fever. Our flight was slightly delayed. I sat with Olivia, Josh sat with Avery and Charlotte was just across the aisle from us. It was a nice flight, but seemed very long. Olivia slept through much of it; Avery didn’t sleep at all; Charlotte watched 3 movies.

We landed at O’Hare and took the 5-mile walk to passport control. Most of our luggage, including the 5 boxes were off the carousel waiting for us once we arrived in the baggage claim area. Now we had the task of moving everything to the curb. We didn't have any problem finding a porter here to help.

Travelling with 20 pieces of luggage is always an attention getting spectacle. The customs guy said “what are you? moving back or something?” Yes, as a matter of fact, we are. We spent some time waiting outside in the Chicago summer humidity. Josh had gone to get the rental car but was turned away when his credit card wasn’t working. In the meantime, our friend Bobby showed up with his SUV and then I left to try my luck at the rental car counter. By the time I got the car, returned to the curb, and the cars were loaded, it was almost 6pm (we’d landed at 4). After we loaded the SUVs, there was limited room for passengers, so I took Charlotte and Avery downtown on the “el” train. I thought Avery would find riding the train fun; plus at rush-hour the cab ride could have easily taken us much longer. Instead, half-way through the subway trip, Avery fell asleep on my lap and then I had to carry him upstairs from the station at Chicago and Milwaukee. It took a few minutes, but we hailed a cab and headed home. Bobby and Josh had just arrived at the same time. Here we were, on Astor Street, in front of our building. Not a thing had changed. It was surreal.

We received such a warm welcome from Nina and her family. The kids had put up signs saying "Welcome Home Rosenberg Family." They all helped us upstairs with our ton of stuff. Everyone was so excited to see each other.

Avery and Olivia went straight to their rooms. Avery took out every single toy from his toy chest and began playing with it. Nina had completely stocked the fridge (including a case of Corona), had cleaned the apartment and arranged flowers in the kitchen. Then she announced that she had prepared dinner for us. She wanted the kids to eat together at her place, and then Josh and I could relax upstairs with stuffed peppers. It was the greatest welcome home ever! Except then Olivia threw up her dinner while still at Nina’s house.

For me it was strange. Everything was the same. Exactly as we’d left it. I felt as if I were here yesterday, and not like we’d been away a whole year. Bizarre.