Mary Poppins

When I was little, I remember always feeling sad at the end of Mary Poppins.  I understood she helped Jane and Michael's family, and I knew she was needed somewhere else, but that didn't stop me from wanting her to stay with them.  These days, that feeling is very real for me again.


After we had been in Calgary for a few months, I knew we were going to like living here.  But I also knew that, as much as we liked the city, it wasn't going to be home.  I think it was clear to both of us this was only a stop on our journey.  But it turns out that knowing that and living it are two very different things.  Jahn and I created a life for ourselves here -- one that felt very permanent.  We have been extremely fortunate to be surrounded by some of the kindest people I've met.  They took us Ontarians in with open arms and I'm forever grateful.


But Jack changed everything.  I know he has no idea whether he lives in Calgary or Ottawa or Yemen, but we do.  We know that he's far from his family.  The pull to have him near his grandparents and aunts and uncles, especially for these "little kid" years, is pretty strong.      


So now, even though I know the winds are blowing us somewhere else, somewhere both familiar and exciting,  I feel that same Mary Poppins longing again -- that wish to be able to stay, too.