The Russkis

On March 19th--a Thursday--my son-in-law's parents were scheduled to arrive from Russia for good. I drove up on the previous Tuesday to help with things--mostly to pack my granddaughter for a Virginia/Pennsylvania/DC trip that would start in the wee hours of the morning just after the Russian grandparents arrived, and help prepare a meal and minor celebration for Luda and Sergei.  Busy, busy, busy!

Russia is nine hours away in time zones, but about 32 hours away in travel time.  Luda and Sergei left everything except very precious possessions behind to come and live with their son and family.  When they hit the States, we were ready for them!  I had fixed a stroganoff, if they were hungry.  Meg had prepared a VERY nice banner that said, "Welcome Home Luda and Sergei" on it, with crossed Russian and US flags in the middle.  Denis hung that over the garage door.  We had little American flags to give them, along with flowers for Mama Luda at the airport...and, of course, everyone greeted them with open arms when they arrived in the drive!

After "the Russians" got a tour of their new digs, we had a celebratory slush drink (bourbon and tea with orange juice and lemonade), and generally babbled about things.  I think L and S were particularly impressed with the size of their room...and the rest of the house.  For a couple of days, everyone was catching up on sleep and expectations, etc.  It went well.

Then things went south a bit.  They want a garden and have been promised a garden, but they don't seem to understand that there are some standards in those environs (no one else has a vegetable garden), and the shorter growing season up there (two miles south of the Wisconsin border) does not allow for planting so soon.  They want to make a garden NOW.  Megan got her back up.  Luda and Sergei felt rejected....and all because of expectations.  Denis, God bless him, really just wants things to happen slower.  He is such a champion of patience but tries to be all things to all people, to his own denigration.

Truth be known, Megan and Denis are blessed to have Luda and Sergei there, no matter what.  Luda is a working whirlwind.  She took control of the dishes and cooking early on...and Sergei is a working fool, as well.  Relax, I tell them!  I would kill to have someone take over like that!  I don't think anyone's ox has been gored.  Everything should settle down, in time.

I love Luda and Sergei.  They aren't my relatives but I do connect with them.  In the end, I hope they are happy there.  Some ugly words were spoken earlier.  It is my dream that it will all even out!