We leave for Bulgaria on Saturday ... our time here in Windsor VT is coming to an end. I am conflicted about leaving, we are looking forward to spending time with Steve and Tanya, but a big piece of my/our heart remains in Windsor. I am not looking forward to saying goodbye to Mike, Chris, lars and Roxcy, I get teary just thinking about it, separation anxiety. Pete is much better at saying goodbyes than me ... the only time I have seen him visibly upset was when he said goodbye to Rob after spending the summer of 2010/2011, Rob's last summer! Don't get me wrong ... he really misses our children and does not like being so far away from them. When I say goodbye to our children or family I no longer wonder when will I see you again, I now wonder will I see you again? A hang over from the Feb 22, 2011 EQ.
We have had a wonderful time here in Windsor VT with our family and Chris' extended family. As I have mentioned ... Windsor has become a second home for us. I/we never thought that our children would marry and live offshore. We both had the fantasy that our children would marry ... live close by ... Sunday dinners ... baby sitting ... family christmas' and celebrations ... well that hasn't happened. We have no children living in Christchurch and 2 children living offshore ... could end up being 3. The upside of this is that we get to travel to Melbourne to see lucy and the States ... a lot ... to see Mike, Chris, Lars & Roxcy. We have become very attached to our US side of our extended family, The Larson's and look forward to our visits with them. We are very grateful that we have been able to visit so frequently.
This time our trip is different ... we are continuing to travel for another 9 months. After the Feb 22 EQ life was hell ... as it has been for a lot of people in Christchurch. One day while flying into Christchurch a thought came into my mind ... 'you need to get away from here for a while'. I went home to Pete and shared my thoughts and things grew from there. I could feel us being ground down by everything and I remember thinking one day 'I don't know how much longer I can do this!' So here we are ... taking a break for a year, rediscovering ourselves and the excitement, beauty and pleasure of life again.
There is excitement and fear, anticipation and anxiety as we branch out onto the next leg of our travels. Windsor has been the perfect start as we get used to being together 24/7 and get used to hot and muggy weather. We are going to a lot of hot countries. We arrived here at the end of spring and it is now coming to the end of summer. I have been thinking about the highlights of our trip so far and here are some ...
I love the peace of Lake Runnemede and we will miss our walks ...
I am so grateful we made our trip to see Ben in NYC ...
Most dramatic bridge walk ever ... with some of the best people ...
We have had a wonderful time here in Windsor VT with our family and Chris' extended family. As I have mentioned ... Windsor has become a second home for us. I/we never thought that our children would marry and live offshore. We both had the fantasy that our children would marry ... live close by ... Sunday dinners ... baby sitting ... family christmas' and celebrations ... well that hasn't happened. We have no children living in Christchurch and 2 children living offshore ... could end up being 3. The upside of this is that we get to travel to Melbourne to see lucy and the States ... a lot ... to see Mike, Chris, Lars & Roxcy. We have become very attached to our US side of our extended family, The Larson's and look forward to our visits with them. We are very grateful that we have been able to visit so frequently.
This time our trip is different ... we are continuing to travel for another 9 months. After the Feb 22 EQ life was hell ... as it has been for a lot of people in Christchurch. One day while flying into Christchurch a thought came into my mind ... 'you need to get away from here for a while'. I went home to Pete and shared my thoughts and things grew from there. I could feel us being ground down by everything and I remember thinking one day 'I don't know how much longer I can do this!' So here we are ... taking a break for a year, rediscovering ourselves and the excitement, beauty and pleasure of life again.
There is excitement and fear, anticipation and anxiety as we branch out onto the next leg of our travels. Windsor has been the perfect start as we get used to being together 24/7 and get used to hot and muggy weather. We are going to a lot of hot countries. We arrived here at the end of spring and it is now coming to the end of summer. I have been thinking about the highlights of our trip so far and here are some ...
These look like Ballet Dancers
The Color Combinations here are Stunning
Meeting up with Old Friends ... Wonderful Time ... I am sorry Larry was not with us.
Old Friends ...
These Guys ... Cousin Time
These Guys and taking them on rides in the WeeHoo
Family ... Family ... Family
I am in absolute denial that you are leaving us....can't you just move here (to the dismay and absolute resistance of everyone else)
ReplyDeleteGreat post Liz - was FANTASTIC to see you both and to see you both so relaxed after such a horrendous time since Feb 22. Thank you for being so open about your stories - the earthquakes will affect Christchurch natives for the rest of the our lives. God's speed as you journey to Europe!
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