If I had to pick one of my most happiest times of my life it would be last weekend - 7 of my cousins including my sister flew from different parts of the world and met in a remote place-quaint resort outside lisbon. We talked a lot, laughed a lot - not one tear, ate well, and walked a lot. From being cooped up during the pandemic for two years to being in open fresh air surrounded by rice fields, birds of all different kinds, the sound of the ocean, and soft sand, it felt a little like heaven. Family no matter how different we are from each other, is still family - and that what makes this trip so special. We haven't seen some of us in years, but we picked back where we left of - and it was truly beautiful to see. I was not worried about the dynamics because I knew it would be okay, but I knew there were some of us that wondered how it would go and if all would go well, and it did. We can see each other and amidst the peculiarities and quirkiness and be okay with one another. It is such a beautiful thing. These are cousins we saw growing up so there is a connection from childhood. But those couple of days, age didn't matter- I still felt like I was back in one of our old family vacations from our childhood- only this time we were the adults. It reminded me of how I used to watch my parents with their cousins and siblings and stay up and laugh and laugh with one another- and I would say to myself "I want that." I feel lucky to have that and the whole experience was like a dream.
There was one particular experience during this trip that will always remain with me. For those of you who know me I am not the most physically active person. I love my walks but nothing rugged or challenging per say. So on our last day, we decided we would go for a walk on on a path by the rice fields. The hotel said it is a nice easy walk and apparently there is a way to get to the beach. I was excited to do so - but little did any of us know what was in store for us. My sister rented a bike and so did my cousin - and off we embarked on our walk. This was the walk that never ended. And not one of us brought a water bottle. One of my cousins who is extremely organized brought sunscreen -we didn't think we were going to need it but the sun came out to greet us and boy was it nice and hot. We walked and walked thinking our destination was near, but every time we thought we were getting close we were no where near our destination. To top it off, some of us had taken another way only to find out it was a wrong way so we had to walk back and continue on our path. I can get grumpy when I don't know where I am going and annoyed -but i didn't - and we just kept going - until we came to the path that would take us to the beach. Only it wasn't what I was expecting. We had to climb uphill on sand dunes and go down a path to get to the beach. At one point I didn't know if I could do it - but I had encouragement from my cousins and they even found me the perfect bamboo stick to use for balance in case I feel unstable - and we did it. We reached the beach and boy was it a sight to see - the point being that in the company of those that love you and you love, even the unthinkable can happen - and I had good support. To top it off we had to walk the whole thing back - so you can only imagine how tired we were. But it was definitely worth it.
When I was younger I used to look forward to our summer vacations because I knew I would get to see my cousins - and those were some of my most favorite happy moments. As we got older, it was weddings or funerals that brought us together - the work life, and other responsibilities took over and we just didn't make the time to meet - it was only if we made a trip to a a city they lived in or vice versa that we could meet. But its not the same- its not the same because as kids- it was just us- us bonding and talking and laughing and just being ourselves with no frills or care in the world. And that's what this weekend was for me - transporting me back to the time when we had our summer vacations and felt free again. for that one split second we were all just in the moment with each other - not on our phones, not on our laptops no distractions -like the old days- music playing in the background ( music was big growing up for us) and we had a nice variety of music that was played this weekend. And set the intention that hopefully we wont' have to wait a lifetime to have more moments like these.
Journal Prompt:
Go to your happy place as a child. where were you? Who were you with? What are the colors you remember? Scents? Is there a particular memory that comes to you - write about it as if you are reliving it. Allow yourself to get transported back to that time. Write for as long as you can.
Happy Journaling!
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