Readjusting and Yearning
Our visitors have gone and all that’s left are the wonderful memories. I am filled with love for our families who came to celebrate with us, my husband’s and my milestones, but also my nephew’s Wedding a week later.
The memories will live with me and in my heart forever; three of us four siblings being together; it does not happen very often; sad that our youngest brother could not be there.
Saying Good-Bye was the toughest ever; does it always get more difficult the older we get? Tears flowed freely, and I felt as if part of me was being ripped away. It’s not that they are unreachable; an eight-hour plane ride gets me over to Europe quickly. But, when I think about the “old” days when such Good-Bye was “never again” … I don’t know how people did it.
It’s been over two weeks since my sister left, and I am readjusting. Papers have been piling up and I am busy reducing the ToDo list. Emotionally, I am not there yet, too many events and a lot of visitors in such a short time need digesting.
I feel blessed to have had these weeks, to have created such strong memories, and to have been able to deepen the connection with my family members. I wonder, where would I be without them?
How do you deal with emotional times, such as this? What do you do to get yourself “back on track” after such happy times; how do you deal with the missing and yearning?
Juggling
It’s a time of celebrations: both my husband and I are having big Birthdays this year; and we are celebrating our 25th Wedding Anniversary. Is there a better reason to throw a party?
Visitors arrived: from Germany and Holland, from Quebec and Ontario; up to 10 people slept in our house. We had fun; we laughed; we found ourselves crammed into the gazebo and counted 14! I lived from one food shopping trip to the next; how on earth could the fridge shrink by the minute?
I thought I had it all prepared and that juggling work and guests would be quite possible.
I was wrong!!
I didn’t want to have to work when everyone else was in bed; I wanted to enjoy our guests and spend as much time with them as possible; see, they don’t come and visit every year ….. I didn’t want to end up sleep-deprived either.
I felt torn! I felt pressure inside just thinking about the time I needed to do the work my clients trust I do 100%. And thinking about that trust helped me to balance company and clients’ requirements.
What to we need to do in preparation for such happening? Most importantly, inform your clients as soon as you have firm dates; and determine, with them, the tasks that need to be done while your have guests. If possible, arrange your working hours in such way that allows you to spend more time on each client beforehand so that there is no lack in performance.
My take-away from this experience:
- Don’t compromise and only agree to what you absolutely, definitely know you can do!
- Don’t make firm commitments; chance is that it’s tough, if not impossible, to keep them.
- Plan your working time around your visitors’ outside-the-house activities and stick to your plan.
I didn’t count on things to work out differently than I had planned! I didn’t allow for the unforeseen! And ….. I learned a lesson!
I am grateful to my clients who have been wonderful and understanding; and I am grateful to all who flew in, or drove, to spend these precious days and hours with us. Some are still here, so is my sister, my best friend. I savor every moment! Who knows when we’ll see each other again!
I wonder, how do you juggle visitors and work? I’d love to see your thoughts and advice.
Summertime – Vacation Time
I am sitting on our boat in the 1000 Islands, just where Lake Ontario ends and the St. Lawrence River starts. The sky is a wonderful blue, incredibly, after this rainy morning. Boats are speeding by creating deep circle-like ridges in the water that come toward us and connect with the boat, angry, pounding, hitting; wham! Every once in awhile, there are gentle waves, soft, enveloping, caressing the fiberglass.
Nearby, a tour boat is leaving its dock, loaded with people, small, big, old, young, dark skinned, blond; we hear a mixture of languages. I wonder, who are they, where are they from, what are their dreams? A little girl excitedly points towards two little islands connected by a small bridge. One of them, the larger one, lies in Canada, the other one in the US. A short bridge connects both: it’s the shortest international bridge in the world, just a few feet long!
I inhale the beauty of the blueish water that is speckled with small islands; sailboats are gliding by gracefully, their sails billowing in the wind, and powerboats are racing each other. Everywhere, people sitting on their patios or beaches feasting their eyes on the spectacular view. Once again, I feel grateful to be here, and my heart opens. The boat feels like a cradle, secure and sturdy.
Memories surface, unbidden yet welcome, of trips here with Dad, years before he died; and of me and my Godmother being on this same tour boat a few years ago when she visited Canada for the first time at the proud age of 82!
This is what my husband and I look forward to every year, a few weeks’ cruising on our beloved “Surf Dancer,” inhaling nature, living nature, embracing the lake’s softness, experiencing and fighting its harshness, its unpredictability; exploring little harbors and villages, connecting with people, and making new friends.
Each time we return home not only rejuvenated; we have spent quality time together, walked, laughed, and filled up our mental and emotional tanks.
What are you passionate about for your vacation, and where and how do you love to spend it? Somewhere in a cottage, with a set of friends? A road trip, perhaps, or visiting loved-ones, close or far away? I’d love to hear from you.
My Canada
We spent this past weekend, Canada Day weekend, on our boat enjoying a club cruise. Being Cruise Captains for this cruise meant that we had to do some provisioning for Saturday evening: buying the salmon to be cooked on wooden planks on the BBQ, wine, and beer! Appetizers, salads, and desserts were potluck items. Harry and Maureen, with whom we shared our duties, brought their famous “Bahama Mama” to start us off to an evening of good food, drink, and fun. And a fabulous evening it was! Most of us were dressed in red and white; our country’s proud colors! I sported a big Canadian Flag draped around me.
When I stepped off our boat and approached the area we had set up earlier with red table cloths, paper napkins depicting the Canadian flag, and little flags on each table, my heart swelled with pride; I felt a small, and important part of this great country. Just with being here I contribute to shaping Canada’s future.
The thought hit me like a rock; I felt immense pride and happiness; and I felt responsibility, and caring. Caring about this vast country, wanting to protect it like we protect a baby from harm; and I felt joy, the joy of living, of being able to lead my life the way I do, to have friends who are there for me as I am for them. My head was spinning, round and round, feeling, so many emotions, and I started a happy dance.
After two of Harry’s increasingly strong “Bahama Mamas” our party was in full swing. Later, we were sitting with a small group enjoying the spectacular sunset. Someone posed the question of who of this group was born in Canada? Ten out of ten had immigrated, as children with their parents, or as adults. We counted Vietnam, France, Scotland, England, Holland, Germany, and Ireland. And all of us feel alike: we live in one of the best countries, and are thankful to be here!
Thank you Canada!
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