Well, Rodrigo Ruiz of Lisbon, Portugal-our 12th AFS student, now joins Giorgio, Luis, Narek, Zauder, Tiphaine, Ornchuma, Akane, Phillipp, Diego, Benidikte and Paula as Adams Family Alumni…
We got up today, went to Fat Nat’s, our favorite breakfast place in New Hope, had a good breakfast( Rodrigo’s treat-thanks, pardner) and then went down to Eden Praire where the other area AFS kids were going to meet for departure.
Rodrigo had told Andrea that he has been crying so much the last couple of days, he was not sure if he had any tears left for today. He needn’t have worried. It was a tear-fest. It’s always a very, very emotional scene. I have always thought it was a good sign when there were tears when saying good bye. To me, that means that the kid really became a part of your household, a member, not just a visitor with an accent.
It was strange going back into his room when we got back home. It is also going to be really strange not having the flurry of activity and friends associated with Rodrigo, like his friends Miguel and Rafael. It’s going to be strange not going through as much food and not having quite as many clothes to wash. Still…this room that had become “The exchange student’s room” a few years ago has had a couple of phases. Phase I was when Rachel was all of two years old when we moved into this house. It was her room untill about 5 years ago, then it was home to Diego, Bennie,Paula and Rodrigo. That was Phase II. In the next couple of days, the reconfiguration for this room to become Duncan’s nursery will begin Phase III.
Good bye Rodrigo. You were a good son, brother and AFS Uncle to little Duncan. I miss you already.
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