A Desert Diary: Mama Returns to the Desert!!!!!!

After 13 years, my mama, Mary Ellen Cochran, finally returns to the Kingdom!

Though she was only able to stay for a week, it was by far the most energetic, fun, sleepless and happy week I've had in Saudi Arabia for a while!

Every day the two of us would just wake up beaming, re-living our happy memories from years ago. Sites and smells and faces would activate our memories and we would share our remembrances with one another fondly.

I have honestly never seen my mother so happy. She was received like a celebrity the second she stepped foot on AIS-R's campus. Brian greeted her with a giant bouquet of flowers and a paper crown dubbing her the Queen of Hearts - a homage to her days as the elementary school counsellor. She and Brian could not stop smiling and laughing every second they were together. They have a genuine loving friendship marked by mutual admiration and respect for one another. Brian paraded my mother around the campus and I followed along sheepishly. She came to school twice and was able to sit in on me teaching and catch up with some of her old friends and colleagues.

Every single day was filled with social gatherings. Dinners, lunches, parties.....I barely slept for the entire week that she was here. We were wined and dined by friends every evening. We barely left each other's sides except for when I had to go to school and she made the wise decision to just stay in my villa and relax.

Now that she's gone back home to Brussels, I miss her terribly! I would love for her to come and stay with me next year for a month or two, its so nice to have a partner in crime here. My favorite day that she was here was when I took the day off work to go to the Gold Souks in Clock Tower (or "Chop Chop Square" as she fondly calls it) followed by one of the best lunches I have ever had in The Globe restaurant atop Faisaliah Tower.

I feel so grateful to have such wonderful and supportive parents. They love me unconditionally - more than themselves and have always encouraged me to pursue anything of my heart's desire. They seldom told me "no" and always filled me with positive ideals about the world and myself.

Thank you Mom for being the greatest mother in the world!

I love you with all my soul.