Two weeks back from vacation so it is time to get back into the routine. Vacations are never long enough but aren’t we happy we have them. As one would expect, finding happy moments when you are just relaxing with the family is way too easy. So I had to pick my favorites because choosing is also part of growing up.
First and foremost, the most amazing thing happened on this trip. I did not fight with a single person on the airplane, at the airport, parking lot, stores etc.. I never thought it would happen to me. I don’t know if people were nicer (I doubt that), or if I decided to accept that things are not organized and run the way I think they should. I was proud of myself for that. So my husband did not have to worry about going to the bathroom and coming back to a full battle zone at the airport. Resolution to not fight!
In my previous post, I mentioned the orphanage our family adopted for Christmas. We went to the orphanage and delivered all the items we bought to the 84 kids. They sang for us and were all cleaned up to receive everything. It was an emotional moment to see all those kids mostly taken in due to neglect and abuse. The woman in charge is a retired teacher from the state and she runs it on her retirement salary and donations since the Brazilian government has failed to give any assistance since 2009. My privileged children were able to see the place. My two year old was waving at them and smiling but my five year old was a little frightened by the site. She had a lot of questions for several days on why the kids were there and why their parents did not want them and it was difficult for us to answer them but we did the best we could. It was a great experience that will lead to a standing family tradition. I urge everyone to try giving up on your own gifts to give to those who really need it and don’t just want it.
My final happy moment was to be at the beach. I cannot explain or quantify my satisfaction when it comes to being by the beach. I love everything about it. The sound of the waves breaking on the rocks is calming and almost therapeutic. Running into the water makes you feel like you are five again. Sitting in the sand and making castles with my kids is one of the greatest joys to me. It is just liberating. Aside from the beauty of the beach, I was extremely happy and surprised to see my five year old’s asthma cough go away in 24 hours after we had arrived at the beach. Truly therapeutic.
Lessons of the day: Take vacations; they make you think about life and what should be important to you. Find the things you love and plan to make it part of your daily life, not just vacations.
I want to move to the beach and feel like I am on vacation. How about you?
