Returning to a life of normalcy

By TERRY R. CASSREINO

MADISON (Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008, 8:10 a.m. CDT) – My Friday was pretty much shot.

I stopped by the bank in the morning to deposit unused travelers checks (we got by nearly three weeks in China spending half of the budgeted amount of money, something I find amazing).

I visited my doctor to find relief from the sinus infection from hell that has been dragging along since Thanksgiving. My doctor gave me another round of antibiotics and took an x-ray of my sinuses.

I stopped by Kroger for about an hour to buy some much needed groceries for the house. And then at CVS Pharmacy to fill my prescription for antibiotics.

By the time I returned home, Pam was getting Camryn, our daughter, and Matthew, our son, ready for an afternoon nap. I was tired, too. The jet lag finally caught up with me.

Thursday night arrival

We arrived at the Jackson-Evers International Airport at 9:21 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 18. Northwest dumped our plane off on the tarmac, which I thought was classless and tacky.

We had to carry Matthew down a flight of steep steps, walk across the tarmac to the terminal, then trudge up two flights of steps to the terminal building. That sucked.

A few feet down the corridor, our family was ready to greet us and meet their new brother, cousin and grandson: Matthew Wu Di Cassreino. It was an overwhelmingly emotional event.

Our daughter screamed with delight to see us for the first time since Monday night, Dec. 1. Our moms cried tears of joy at seeing their grandson.

And Matthew was vaklempt. Actually, he cried and screamed, not wanting anyone but Pam and me.

Adapting to home

Since Thursday night, Matthew has accepted his family. He goes to his cousin, Jamie. He wants his Maw Maw Gay (my mother). He lets Na Na (Pam’s mom) hold him. And he loves his new sister, Camryn.

Camryn also loves her new brother. Other than learning about sharing (Matthew has no toys, while Camryn has tons) and the occasional slight streak of jealously (which is to be expected), Camryn adores her brother.

If you need proof, take a look at this accompanying photo: Friday night, Camryn helped Matthew to the glider in our living room, sat right next to him and gently ricked back-and-forth while her brother laughed of joy.

Then, Camryn rocked Matthew to sleep.

On tap for today: Let’s put up the Christmas tree and – maybe – let’s visit Santa Claus.

Copyright 2008 by Terry R. Cassreino. All rights reserved.