Birdhouse

Dearest Bibi,

You aptly renamed this brown construction that I call my house, AKA The House of Enchantments, The Birdhouse. You are absolutely right, the big round window in the middle probably misleads many birds, explaining why there were 4 casualties within only a few months, 3 having crashed against a window and another found floating in my pool.

Thankfully, despite what you consider a dark sense of humor that comes very handy when we are faced with the many tragedies of life, there are more alive birds than dead ones on Royal Drive.

As the lucky host mother, I vowed to treat you and care for you like I do with any of my children, which means that besides a roof over your head and food on the table (and WiFi LOL), my intention as a mother raising the future generation to become self-directed and conscious adults has been to offer you possibilities. We didn't get to do two trips I was hoping we could do, due to unexpected circumstances beyond my control. But we did cover some ground in California: San Francisco, South Lake Tahoe, Truckee, Chico, Jackson, Sutter Creek and Amador, Placerville and Cronan Ranch trail. I am glad and deeply grateful that my prayers were answered so that a golden opportunity to visit south of the golden state arose, thanks to Kevin and Marguerite, yay !

Within 10 months, you also integrated a high school, made many friends, volunteered at everyone's favorite thrift store in town, joined athletics and had your first prom event and graduation ceremony. Congratulations ! And there were even more firsts: you opened a bank account, had your first -unofficial- driving lesson, set foot in a synagogue, attended a meditation evening at the Dharma center, went to a post-Christmas mass as we were passing near San Rafael mission in the Bay Area, and got invited to an Afghan wedding.

You even participated in a funeral... your own ! Speaking of dark sense of humor... Clearly, you found the most fitting group of friends here in Cameron Park. For an introvert, it's a pretty impressive feat to have had your social schedule explode like that ! Yet, it is not surprising as your nonjudgemental, quiet and kind presence was sought after in that world craving for more humanity.

Like a bird, you left the Tajik nest 10 months ago. Look at all the growth and evolution that happened since ! I am forever thankful for your mother, Mavluda, for having allowed me to be part of your life during this beginning of your emerging adulthood. I am also grateful for the support of many people, including all the AFS volunteers, Ken, my family, my friends, the Meyers, the Olsons, Pauline and Jerry, to name a few. 

Bibi, thank you for making us your family. You made my home, my life, my heart better. Now I will never look at Dutch bros, peanut butter or mint ice cream the same way. Despite all the weirdness at times, I hope you will keep the best from your American experience, like reading by the fire place together, preparing a meal together, eating your delicious blinziki, enjoying a picnic at Ocean Beach, hiking in the Enchanted Forest, laughing while watching a Turkish soap opera, listening to Fleetwood Mac, and many more. All those memories of you are now woven together in a fuzzy blanket that will comfort my soul in moments of solitude.

Always know that you have a family here in California that extends to Canada, too !

Remember that you can accomplish all of your heart's desires. I will miss you and think of you every New Moon (which happens to be tonight), while I do the Mother Goddess card ritual we felt so inspired by.

Bibi precious bird, go meet your dreams, spread your wings again for the next chapter of your life.

Safe travel, and thank you for letting us discover the bright, funny and kind young woman that you are. Thank you for letting us be part of your journey. Look at this miracle, a trail of love you're leaving behind: you've accomplished magic by bringing us all together, thereby creating an exceptional group of people: the Bibi tribe at the Birdhouse.

You are loved.

Fondly

Caroline