Most notably, his eldest aunt on his mother's side of the family lives in England. Although the visit Pakistan every year, our visits have never coincided. Her family is very respected because she was the first of the relatives to move away from Pakistan, the first to send heaps of money and gifts back home, and the first to bring relatives over with her. Abbu (my FIL) stayed with them for a time when he was in France for a year and M's grandparents (Nani and Nana) stayed with them also. They also provided a letter of financial support for M when he was coming to America for his graduate studies to prove he had financial support to pay his own way through school. (<-- Not his school, just the best explanation I could find.) Without that letter he wouldn't have been able to come here.
This weekend, I will meet that aunt. She's come to America to visit and a big family gathering is planned. Usually these gatherings are just M and his three cousins and their families, but this weekend will be much bigger because three of those families have their parents here (2 for green card processes, and my MIL) and counting the UK aunt, that's four Aunties and/or Uncles (actually 4 Aunties and only 1 Uncle, all the other Uncles are in Pakistan right now.) Anyway, it's going to be a big party.
I'm not really that nervous about meeting this aunt. I'm confident in my place in his family and she speaks English just fine, so I know we'll be able to communicate easily and well. But I am still a little nervous just because she's such an important member of the family. Either way, I know it's going to be a fun weekend because so many people will be there, and it will be interesting to see my MIL let down her hair around her 2 (dare I say favorite?) sisters.
But the question remains: Why have I spent the last four year's worth of Fourth of July weekends with immigrants?
8 comments:
"But the question remains: Why have I spent the last four year's worth of Fourth of July weekends with immigrants?"
I think that's the best kind of person to spend the 4th of July with! What better reminder of the fact that this is still considered a land of opportunity, the land of the free, home of the brave, than to spend the day with people who *chose* to live here, rather than people who were just born here?
Interesting blog..I am especially interested in cultural differences/similarities, and different lifestyles. I was wondering if you've come across desis from a 'very privileged' background. I have been trying to get an insight into them/their lifestyle practices..and haven't been able to locate much information online..
Wow, because you're, like, a diplomat. ;)
I kept wondering why I've spent the last four 4th's in Canada. . .*sigh*
I agree with D. Jain. . .that's the best way to spend it!
What is happening on the 4th of July?
Oh yeah. That.
I forgot.
Wish I was *there* and not *here* for that special day.
Have fun.
What better way to celebrate a country founded on immigrants?
It's great you finally get to meet this aunt!
Anonymous - I have met some really rich desis. I think in a diasporic (diasporatic?) life some distinctions like that blur, though. M has a friend who lives near us whose family is really rich. When we visited Pakistan we traveled through his city and stayed at his family home with his parents. It was a 180 degree difference from M's family home and it was really interesting to see (and very comfortable to stay in such a nice place!) One cool thing I saw in Pakistan was a car collectors club!
Hey, How was your weekend, didn't get to hear from you !!!
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