I'm not so good at saying goodbye...

After completing my final day of Hospital Outreach on Monday June 13th I spent the rest of the week with the wonderful Vargas family, which I consider my family. The kids are my neices and nephews and Heather is like a sister to me so saying goodbye to this family was more than difficult to say the least. From June 10-15 or so they were at The Painted Turtle for the first session of the summer (Liver,PIDD and TPN) because Jorge is a pediatric gastroenterologist and volunteers his time to spend a week at camp so that we are able to provide medical care to our campers if they need it. Because he gives his week to volunteer in the Well Shell (on-site hospital) he is able to bring his family. The 3 older kids were able to be apart of the entire camp experience because they were able to be in the cabins with the other kids since their was space available. So needless to say the 3 older kids were in heaven. The younger ones stayed with their mom and were still able to enjoy all the fun that camp has to offer, but just under the supervision of their mama. Well while they were at camp I was in charge of taking care of the Vargas family menagerie which includes 2 dogs, 1 beta fish, 1 guinea pig and 1 bird. I was a busy gal, but I really enjoyed hanging out with the little critters and it is always nice to hang out in a house that feels like home and has more space then my wee little apartment.
They got back home on the 15th and they were kind enough to let my stay my last 2 nights living in Los Angeles at their house since I had already moved out of my apartment and didn't want to spend anymore money on rent. We had a very fun 2 days with eachother and tried to accomplish as much as possible and basically just spend time together since it would be quite a while until we saw eachother again...boohoo. Although I was very sad to be leaving camp, California and all of my friends that I have made I was most upset about leaving the Vargas family. As I have said they are more than just my friends...they are my family and I love them with all my heart and will miss them like crazy. On our very last day together we went to a yummy dinner at CPK where we just chatted, caught up and the kids taped little videos saying goodbye so that I could always remember them. We also took some snappers so that I could have some recent pics of me with the kids so that I could look at them as often as I wanted so that I could feel like I was still with them. Although it will be hard not having the ability to just stop on by the Vargas house whenever I want I am excited that when I visit them I will once again be a house guest and I will be able to spend all day and all night with the fam. We will have a grand time. I know that I will be visiting them as much as possible as well as some other families that are also dear to my heart.




Another friend that I was so lucky to see before I left was my sweet little friend Grace and her glorious mom Clare. I met them while Outposting at UCLA and the 3 of us immediately hit it off. Miss Grace and I became fast friends and she and I ended up having quite a bit in common, therefore we were able to chit chat about our experiences and share stories. They were very kind and invited me over to their wonderful home to just hang out and say goodbye before I left for Oregon. It was a beautiful day and we just hung outside by the pool and Clare and I were able to chat and catch up while Grace and her brother and brothers frined were able to enjoy themselves in the pool. It was a very fun day. Below is a picture of me and Gracie Girl. I feel so blessed that I was able to meet this family and also become friends with them. I look forward to visiting them when I come to California for a visit hopefully in the nearish future.

Back to my last day with the Vargas Family: After we ate at CPK and said our very tear filled goodbyes we took a few pictures with me and the kids, which I love very much, and I find myself looking at them a few times each day.


So my glorious Vargas family...this is definitely not goodbye, but rather See you later because goodness knows that I will be visiting soon and will ALWAYS consider all of you as my family. I will never be able to thank you enough for the unconditional love, support and kindness that you have shown me over the past 5 years. I expect you to visit me in Oregon, and I am excited to come back soon and visit all of you so we can just start where we left off. As you know (since I have said it millions of time) I love you all very much and have cherished every second that I got to spend with you.
xoxo
auntie mandy