After we woke up and got ready for the day, Albina came over to our apartment. She brought tons of food for us to eat. She feeds us all the time. The food was really good. She makes really great soups. After some time, I gave Albina her gifts. She started crying and so did I. Kalan’s cousin Kristina works for The Breast Cancer Society and they helped us out so much. Because of their generous donations, we were able to bring warm bedding for everyone. I gave Albina a king size light blue fluffy quilt with all of the sheets and pillowcases to go with it. She cried and said that every time she sees it she will think of me. She smiled when I gave her the “Arizona” sweater. I gave her a beautiful red silk scarf as well as many more gifts. She didn’t have her ears pierced but that was ok because I gave her a beautiful pair of red rose earrings that were clip-ons. We gave her a lot more stuff. We also gave her several bottles of Tylenol. She cried. I don’t know if she was crying just because she was happy or because of the Tylenol. She was happy and thankful for all of the gifts we brought and I was very happy that we were able to give her such beautiful things.
After we finished at the apartment, we went to Albina’s apartment. She lives in the apartment with her son, Ion, his wife Vica and their son Razvan. Their apartment is small but it feels like home to me. I love being there. While we were there, Albina pulled out a small and very old vintage style hard suitcase. I could see that she kept her most precious belongings in this little suitcase. She pulled out a few articles of clothing and handed them to me and told me that they were my mother’s. I was shocked and started crying. I couldn’t believe that she was handing me articles of clothing that she had saved since my mother’s death. She saved all of this stuff for me in hopes of seeing me again one day. She gave me a traditional dress that my mother wore along with a thicker piece of material that is wrapped around the bottom of the dress and her head scarf. Tears were falling down my face. I don’t think I can explain to her how much it means to me to have something, anything that belonged to my mother. I kept holding the clothing and looking at it. Somehow those few pieces of clothing are a comfort to me. We both cried as we hugged. Sometimes I wonder what it must be like for Albina. She lost her younger sister (my mother) and several years later, I left. She tucked those few articles of clothing in her suitcase where all her most precious belongings were, in hopes of giving it to me someday. Now here we were in her apartment, and for the first time in my life I was holding something that belonged to my mother - something that she wore. I felt so honored and thankful that I was holding something of my mother’s. It is something that I will treasure forever and I am so thankful to my aunt for keeping those few items for me.
In the evening, we all went to meet my brother. Although it was dark, I could see my old house (Nicu’s house now). I was flooded with memories and emotions. It was over 18 years ago that I left Ipotesti and said goodbye to my old house and life. I always knew that someday I would return to Romania. I never imagined that my old house would still be standing or that I would have anything to return to. It is difficult to explain how I felt at that moment. I was excited and terrified at the same time. For a moment it all felt like a dream. The last time I saw this house I was a little girl and my father was still living. The colors were more vibrant and the scenery was different. Years later the house was faded and aged. The scenery had changed but the feelings remained. This house and I share many similarities. Through the years we have both endured the storms of life. Through the years we have both aged. And here we were face to face and we were both still standing. I was home again.
Vasile, Kalan, Albina, Me & Ion by Saveta's house. 
In Straja we saw a lot of horse and carts. It is a farming village and this is how they work. 
Kalan & Vasile in the forest on the walk up to my uncle's house. 
As we made our way up the hill, we could see my uncle standing outside his house in front of his fence waiting for us. It was like a scene out of a movie. He stayed there the whole time watching and waiting for us.
My uncle Aurel and I as we met for the first time in 18 years. 
My cousin Ion & I standing in my uncle's yard. 
My uncle and his wife own a cow and she had a baby calf. It was really cute.
The kids all eating sugar wafers. 
Gabriela showing us that she wrote my name next to hers on a piece of newspaper. 
One of the handmade blankets that was donated to us by some wonderful people in Heber. They gave us 3 handmade blankets along with some fleece blankets. 
Andrei wearing on of the soft, fuzzy beanies we brought for them (from The Breast Cancer Society). Each of the children had a fuzzy beanie. They loved them, especially Gabriela who received a pink beanie.
The two little boys are a little more shy than Gabriela, but they warmed up to us quickly. 
The kids shoes. The pair on the left was what I sent last year in a package. The other 3 pairs were ones that we brought with us, plus we also brought boots for the kids for the snow. 
Gabriela and Cristian. The top Cristian is wearing is a pj set we brought. He looks so cute here. Gabriela is always smiling for the camera. Some wonderful people in Heber also donated a number of the beanies that Cristian is wearing. We gave all of the beanies to them.
My old house (Nicu's house now). 
Gabriela with a little doll we gave her. A friend's 2 year old daughter gave her favorite doll to us to take to Gabriela. I thought that was so sweet. Gabriela really loved the doll.
The kids were so excited about everything that we brought. They wanted to try on the clothing and shoes and they loved all the toys. They were screaming and talking so fast. They were so excited about every thing they saw.
The dark blue blanket on the right is a very thick down blanket that was donated to us by The Breast Cancer Society. We brought them 2 down blankets. I was thrilled because it will keep them all very warm during the cold winter. (You can't see but the youngest, Cristian is snuggled in on the bed sleeping near the blanket.)
Part of the fortress. Up until about 5 years ago, there used to be water surrounding the castle. You could walk on top of the fortress and see a view of the whole city. It was beautiful. 
Kalan & I inside one of the knooks inside the fortress walls. 
Razvan, Me & Albina in front of the fortress. 
Kalan, Me & Albina in front of the fortress. 
Kalan, Razvan, Vica and Ion loading all of the food we bought for Nicu into the car. We purchased all of the food at a store called Selgros, similar to Costco. Ion and Vica had a membership and were so kind and helped by picking out all of the food. It was hard holding back tears because I was so excited to be taking food back to Nicu and his family.
