Moments

As I put the boys to bed the other night (yes I still take time to read and spend time with them as they drift off to dreamland - it is a special time when we can just unwind and talk about the day) and we lay there chatting in the dark about the day my oldest said "mom, I feel really rushed here, on the island is was just more relaxed".  Hmmm that is interesting I thought.  The youngest replied " Yeah, like my belly is tight here and on the island it was just soft" - he always seems to find a unique way to describe what he is thinking or feeling.  The discussion continued on about feeling like we had to hurry to get somewhere or do something.  I thought to myself - this is rather interesting as it is not like we get up in the morning and have a schedule to keep or any place to be at a certain time except for Rugby 2 days a week.  I guess the difference is here when we go somewhere we rely on public on transportation, mainly the train and well the train has a schedule - it will not wait for us and so if we want to get somewhere we must show up on time.

On the island we woke up early but never HAD to be anywhere (usually) and when we had surf club it was not until 3 in the afternoon.  Even though we kept busy and were doing activities all the time there were no expectations.  We either hopped in our car or walked to the beach or where ever we were going when we felt like it.  The environment was very relaxed - I mean we were on a caribbean island.

Here in the UK the boys tend to sleep in (due to the grey skies in the morning I am sure) but we still have no obligation to be anywhere except 2 days a week.  Maybe because if the sun is out we feel an urgency to get out and enjoy or when we go to do our errands the city center is busy with people hurrying along their way to accomplish their tasks.  Maybe it is that we are usually rushing to catch the train as if we miss it then it kinda messes everything up.  There is a subconscious feeling that we are in an environment that has deadlines and schedules.  Which I find kind of odd since it seems to me the people are fairly laid back here, unlike in the US where it is rush, rush, hurry, hurry.

So, I am not sure what it is in the air that gives the boys a feeling of urgency or rushing but I do know that they pick up on the little things.  They sense emotions, feelings, energy and the flow around them.  I also know that after living on a caribbean island for almost 2 years we have island time in our blood - the laid back approach of the tropics and that we truly miss.  As much as we attempt to continue the island life wherever we are there is only so much you can do and you will always feel the energy around you.

I am thankful for these moments with my boys where we can share our thoughts, ideas and feelings.  We can take a moment to connect and share our experiences from the day.

We will continue to dream of our time on the island and hope to return to a similar way of life.  Until then we will enjoy the opportunity we have been given and continue to explore life here in the UK.