After a two month visit with my daughter, her husband and the grands, I start my 10 day journey home tomorrow. I stop for some time in Jacksonville to run in the marathon and visit with my sister-in-law and niece. Then back to Italy with spring already in its early stages and into the arms of my Honey. A month apart feels too long this year but my visit here in Trinidad has been my best yet- relaxed and satisfying.
I needed to drop my expectations and enjoy the kids where they're at rather than think they should be any different. I fell into that trap when they started homeschooling using an approach of interest led learning and I wished their interests were different than they were and include more of what's important to me. Like I said I needed to get over myself and that took some work on my part. They're doing fine. Bottom line is that our relationships are what's most important to me. So, the pressure is off and we can all just do what we like to do and enjoy one another. Lots of board/ card/ computer games, walks, basketball games, cooking, crafts, reading, talking, etc.
My grandson hugged me last night and said he wished I'd never go home and my granddaughter refused to smile in the above photo. Every moment can now be cherished rather than worried over. My choice. Of course. Good life lesson.
They are beautiful and seem to be their own persons already. I hope your travel back to Italy is uneventful. I'm home now, and it feels good to sit in my own chair again. :-)
ReplyDeleteAh, yes, one's own chair.
DeleteI know exactly what you mean. We introduce lots of ideas and potential areas of interest that don't catch on. Maybe later, maybe never, but they are fabulous kids in any case...and I mean both your grands and mine. Safe travels homeward.
ReplyDeleteYou're wise. I keep re-learning things at different levels. But they are fabulous.
DeleteWe can just be there and open up the world to them; the rest is up to them. They will surprise us and themselves by how they react and relate.
ReplyDeleteThat's true at any age, that it's all up to us.
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