From chat today...

Eva/Nirgaz says:
I got the most romantic letter today from Meran via regular mail.
trishymouse says:
Ahhhhhhhh....
Eva/Nirgaz says:
He said that he hopes that I forgive him for leaving me with all the kids and that he thinks I am doing a great job handling all their problems. He also said that "...I would never think that I will marry a woman as good as you ever. That is why I will love you forever..."
trishymouse says:
That is true. He has a very special lady in you, Eva. You are smart, beautiful, resourceful, creative...
Eva/Nirgaz says:
It was nice that he was validating how I was feeling, being left with the kids, shouldering that responsibility solo. That he respected and appreciated that was nice
trishymouse says:
It definitely was.
Eva/Nirgaz says:
Thank you
trishymouse says:
Don't throw these letters away like Grandma Short did with Grandpa's...!!
trishymouse says:
Grandma kicks herself now...
Eva/Nirgaz says:
No, I have these and I have ones from when I was in WV and some from when I was in PA just after trollwood in 94
trishymouse says:
Better put them in fireproof box...hot, hot, hot! *just teasing*
Eva/Nirgaz says:
Some of them are pretty private if you know what I mean, that's why I only share tid bits with you guys
trishymouse says:
I totally understand.
You wouldn't believe the trouble I had in making passports for the kids, ok
trishymouse says:
why?
Eva/Nirgaz says:
because they needed Meran's signature, evidently you need both parent's signature if the child is under 14
trishymouse says:
So what did YOU do?
Eva/Nirgaz says:
They had to physically see the children when you applied, but luckily Meran has the email so he emailed me a scanned signature with a letter, I would have forged it but wasn't able to because I had already mentioned on the first trip that he wasn't here. Finally the fourth trip to the passport office, today I finally took care of everything.
Eva/Nirgaz says:
They also needed his orders to prove he actually wasn't here
trishymouse says:
Oy! Don't you just love paperwork? I've been through the mill on stuff like that myself, so I know what you mean...
trishymouse says:
Where did you have to go, what government agency?
Eva/Nirgaz says:
It was a big headache, one that I would have abandoned had it not been for Meran's letter today where he mentioned how he can't wait to take us there and have us there so he can see him more often. It gave me the motivation and strength to take all three of the kids down there
Eva/Nirgaz says:
the post office
Eva/Nirgaz says:
There are special ones, not every post office has them, maybe two or three in each city
trishymouse says:
I see. Yes, I've seen a station at the main Fargo post office where they do that, too...that's right...
trishymouse says:
Well, I'm glad you didn't give up. I think all of you will be glad you didn't.
trishymouse says:
You MUST keep in touch, if nothing else, then letters. I want to hear all about what's going on over there after you go...that's an order from your old mother...!!
Eva/Nirgaz says:
It is kind of cool though, I have always had in mind that I wanted to see the world, didn't know it would be this way, but hey, at least I will be going
Eva/Nirgaz says:
Yes, m'am (salute)!
trishymouse says:
There are many interesting places over there many of us probably have no idea of either. Maybe you'll be lucky enough to have knowledgable local people show you around to some interesting sites, eh?
Eva/Nirgaz says:
yea, but I am most looking forward to seeing and taking pictures of Meran's village, Bigdowdi and the village where his parent's died Ekmole
trishymouse says:
It would be cool if you could audio tape interviews or videotape some things, too...Didn't you say you might take this as an opportunity to do some freelance documentary making?
Eva/Nirgaz says:
I want to take black and white film and color film with me. yes, all forms of media, I love them all so I will dibble dabble in them all: film, audio, and video.
trishymouse says:
I think what you come up with, will be very special. I look forward to it. I think Meran, his family, and your kids will be proud of your efforts, too.
Eva/Nirgaz says:
I really want to interview all the older people, I have a passion for the stories of the elderly. Their stories are so vibrant and full of color.
Eva/Nirgaz says:
They really remember what it is to truly live as a Kurd, sad to say much of kurdish culture today is westernized or arabized.
trishymouse says:
Same is happening to the young in Iran, from what I read. Most of them have no clue what it was like during the last revolution in 1970's. It's not to say it isn't OK to reconsider things, but I think it's just that people tend to throw out everything, good with the bad...
Eva/Nirgaz says:
yea, and the only thing being passed on to the Kurds here in America, is dancing, Music, and language, I would like to share more with my children about who they are. Also they will know my heritage too. I think all of it is important.