Post 11: August 30th

The Grays arrive in a taxi on the 27th. They are exhausted, but happy to be here. I go out to greet them and the pleasure of hugging Rachel after so long defies description.
Levana can’t wait to show me the letters she has written for me and as we walk through the door her insistence becomes increasingly frantic.
“Mummy where are my letters for Grandma. Please find them. I need to give them to her now!” It is excitement and exhaustion speaking.
Interpreting the letters is great fun. They are all written to “Migramainglund” (My Grandma England). I didn’t think it was possible to feel such strong bonds after more than a year of separation.
We have a cuddle and Levana tells me she didn’t like the aeroplane because she was frightened by the “'mergencies”. Ziva is still asleep in her car chair so we put her in the corner of the room. Eventually I have a chance to hold Batsheva in my arms. She is a tiny miracle and I love her instantly.
Each night I read Levana and Ziva bedtime stories. The second night they don’t settle well. I go back upstairs after the story as I can hear Levana sobbing.
“Tell Grandma why you are crying”. The gentleness of my voice soothes the tears immediately, and Levana tells me she wants me to stay with her for a few minutes. I sit a while, but when I leave the room she follows me downstairs. I lead her back to bed and gently explain that she needs to sleep or she won’t enjoy all the fun tomorrow. I promise her that if she complies then I will read her more stories the following night.
Now it is Ziva’s turn. She walks into the lounge with her dolly, telling me: “I don’t want this dolly in bed with me.” I say gently but firmly,
“Fine. Leave it here and go back to bed like a good girl”. I am slightly amazed that she takes herself back upstairs without protest. When I check on them both ten minutes later they are fast asleep. They have tested the waters, and we have no further problems. Rachel is delighted that the girls settle so well and so quickly.
The week passes in a haze of beach trips, blackberry picking, playing, crafts and endless stories. There are some ‘Ziva’ moments, where she just can’t cope with the frustrations of the two year old but Rachel is a brilliant Mum and takes it all in her stride. The house is turned upside down. We are knee deep in mess. Mealtimes are chaotic and noisy. I love every minute and I don’t want it to end.