After weeks of receiving updates from home, the call that came from my sister in the middle of the night while in Siem Reap, Cambodia sent us packing our bags and booking the next flight home. That night we received the news that my dad's cancer spread.
We first heard of dad's diagnose of pancreatic cancer back in Christchurch, New Zealand (Post: The Long and winding road). I'll never forget sitting in the Christchurch airport as we received the news from my dad's wife. It felt as if time stood still and flew past all at the same time. All I wanted was to be home with my family but felt so far from them-and we were! Even as I write this, it's as if I'm sitting back on that airport bench trying to make sense of it all. Guess that's the way with cancer...it's hard to make sense of.
Our family kept us updated every few days and encouraged us to keep travelling and enjoy our time away-which we did every minute! However, once we received the call from my sister with the news of dad's hospitalization, we knew it was time to come home. After a 13hr bus from Cambodia to Bangkok, Thailand to catch our 40 hr flight to Toronto, we were finally home! It took some time to get over it being the opposite time of day (11hr difference) with coming home so quickly but that's all in the past now;) Shawn and I are grateful to be home.
We are thankful for everything we experienced and feel truly blessed to have had the opportunity to be on such an amazing adventure with one another. One day, we will go back!
We are glad to be home and have been spending all of our time with family right now. With so many new additions to the family in the past year as well, were grateful for the time we've been able to spend with each and every one of them:) We are continuing to find our place and search for new opportunities in a new place. Thanks to everyone who followed our blog and supported us on our big adventure over the past 6 months.
On to the next...!
Our 3hr boarding crossing between Cambodia and Thailand in 48c on our 13hr bus to Bangkok.
More bags than we came to Asia with...
Turkish airlines rocks! By far the best flight we've ever takin'
Jolene (my younger sister) picked us up from the airport and we spent the next 4-5 days with their family in Klienburg recovering from our jet leg and spending lots of quality time with the kids. We were ecstatic to meet the newest member of the Gianakas family-Vivienne Alexandra born April 12th, sharing a birthday with Grandma Leendertse!
Lots of snuggles with our little niece :)
Uncle Shawn hanging out with the kids
Violet and Uncle Shawn
Grandma and grandpa with their newest grandchild. That's #8!
(photos coming soon!)
The newest addition to the Henderson Family-Mia Nihal born Dec 31 while Auntie Heather & Uncle Shawn threw a New Years Party at her home. She's so big now!😂
Our Arla Barla. She was a good girl for Grandma Nancy while we were away. Glad to be back with our fur baby😄
Welcome home folks-glad to hear you are back with family. God speed all of you comfort and good health. Cheers Cam.
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