From Friday, May 18 ...
Well, it's on. Today is the last day for us in Paradise and its going to be one big hot mess (literally - no really, it's 42 degrees here and my house is upside down). We are finishing packing up this morning while the kids are in school and then we have a going away party at the beach this afternoon. I can't believe that it's over. But that's life right? We've said good bye to so many things this week that it's taking a toll on everyone. it's not your normal "see you later" or "until next time".
It really is a solid "goodbye", the kind that means that we will most likely never see these lovely people and places again in our lives. Colin and I figure that we may return someday, but things here change so quickly with people coming and going and with all of the land development, that if we do someday come back it will not be the same. I feel bad for the kids and all of the friends that they made at school and within our circle of friends. I'm not sure that they understand. And now that we have a bit of the "adventure bug" we may want to try somewhere else next time the bank account allows it. We've learned so much about life here. Our lives, other people lives. The way we live and the way it impacts other people. We've seen both sides of having things and not having things and the joys and sorrows that both sides can bring. I hope that we bring home and instill in our lives many of the things that we have learned here. We have learned to value time with the ones we love. We have found so much joy in being together this year, relying on each other for our entertainment and support. we've also had to deal with extreme sorrow this year with the sudden passing of Colin's step-father in April - only 3 days after returning home from a two month visit to us. It has been difficult to grieve from afar but comforting to know that there is so much family support for Colin's mom back home. She did however, return to us for the last three weeks to help us out - I like to think that we've helped each other out. I'm sure that there is not a better balm for sorrow than gazing at the ocean on a deserted beach and then coming home to the hugs of your grandchildren.
We've learned here that for the most part, things are simple. Love, Laugh, Live. I'm sure I've seen this on a scrapbook page somewhere, but I honestly get what it means now. We see it every day in the Dominican people around us and hopefully try to mirror it within ourselves. Really, what more is there?
We are so looking forward to coming home and reconnecting with our friends and families. I'd like to think that we have changed this year and maybe you'll notice the changes and maybe you won't. The challenge for us will be to instill those changes into our daily lives and not revert back to the busy, crazy way that we lived before this adventure.
Thanks for following along, and for your patience. Your patience for when you see us staring dreamily into space. You know what we're thinking about.
The Geissler's
Well, it's on. Today is the last day for us in Paradise and its going to be one big hot mess (literally - no really, it's 42 degrees here and my house is upside down). We are finishing packing up this morning while the kids are in school and then we have a going away party at the beach this afternoon. I can't believe that it's over. But that's life right? We've said good bye to so many things this week that it's taking a toll on everyone. it's not your normal "see you later" or "until next time".
It really is a solid "goodbye", the kind that means that we will most likely never see these lovely people and places again in our lives. Colin and I figure that we may return someday, but things here change so quickly with people coming and going and with all of the land development, that if we do someday come back it will not be the same. I feel bad for the kids and all of the friends that they made at school and within our circle of friends. I'm not sure that they understand. And now that we have a bit of the "adventure bug" we may want to try somewhere else next time the bank account allows it. We've learned so much about life here. Our lives, other people lives. The way we live and the way it impacts other people. We've seen both sides of having things and not having things and the joys and sorrows that both sides can bring. I hope that we bring home and instill in our lives many of the things that we have learned here. We have learned to value time with the ones we love. We have found so much joy in being together this year, relying on each other for our entertainment and support. we've also had to deal with extreme sorrow this year with the sudden passing of Colin's step-father in April - only 3 days after returning home from a two month visit to us. It has been difficult to grieve from afar but comforting to know that there is so much family support for Colin's mom back home. She did however, return to us for the last three weeks to help us out - I like to think that we've helped each other out. I'm sure that there is not a better balm for sorrow than gazing at the ocean on a deserted beach and then coming home to the hugs of your grandchildren.
We've learned here that for the most part, things are simple. Love, Laugh, Live. I'm sure I've seen this on a scrapbook page somewhere, but I honestly get what it means now. We see it every day in the Dominican people around us and hopefully try to mirror it within ourselves. Really, what more is there?
We are so looking forward to coming home and reconnecting with our friends and families. I'd like to think that we have changed this year and maybe you'll notice the changes and maybe you won't. The challenge for us will be to instill those changes into our daily lives and not revert back to the busy, crazy way that we lived before this adventure.
Thanks for following along, and for your patience. Your patience for when you see us staring dreamily into space. You know what we're thinking about.
The Geissler's
