end of an era

and today marks the end of an interesting era. I took Li to DIA for the trip back to China. It was a good experience. She started packing three days ago and was still working on it last night at 11. 3 bags 2 paid for by Chinese government, she pays 100 for the 3rd. – probably could have paid another $100 more for a 4th------- all have to be 46 lbs or under. We agree to get up at 4, bags in car by 415, enroute by 430 AM – flight leaves at 8 Last night at 6pm. Bag 1----- 78 lbs Bag 2-------65lbs Bag 3 -------63lbs She started taking things out and giving to us, setting aside stuff (cuz we offered to send a box to her – 1 month probably 100 bucks) Lots of noise for next several hours. 11PM…vacuuming in the room. I get up at 345 cuz I can’t sleep 425 she comes down and asks for help to bring bags down Each is about 48lbs….one still feels about 65 But we got off and to DIA on time. Check in no problem. I didn’t see all the weights but the lightest was still over at 48 on the Alaska Air scale. But they took em all Then she got in wrong line at security and the TSA guys got all chest puff in her face “ can I help you, can I HELP YOU! , slowing walking her back- made her go against traffic with all the stuff she was carrying on (which was sizable) They send her back to the beginning just so they could watch her walk all the way back in again) Then I lost her. I got home and look in the kitchen. There’s a big space on the countertop where the rice cooker was. (it’s a nice metaphor, actually - a little sad. But also felt a little weight lifted from kristines shoulders – mostly cuz no more taxi’ing and waiting but still…….sad ) The great host family experiment comes to a end. A Good end. She texted me that she was on the plane enroute back to Xian just a bit ago Cool She left 50 bucks for the box.  but a full Chinese food pantry.