OOO

There’s a saying that you only have 18 summers with your kids (perhaps not as willing participants in the latter years) so to cherish them. To me, this is only partially true, having spent many many more (insert season) with my parents, albeit many as an adult. And, whether it is 18, double or triple that number, it truly has been feeling like it’s never enough. I’m more aware than ever how few seasons we have for Sebi to enjoy time with his grandparents. All 4 of his are healthy and well (they just happen to live in different countries/continents), whereas I only had (very limited) time with 2 of mine.

While complex in terms of travel logistics to our final destination (especially solo with a young child), this trip was simple in its intent. We relished slowing down, chewing more, not caring about protein grams, playing with mud, playing with bugs, chasing pigeons, outdoor time, sleeping in, napping wherever and whenever (or not at all), bathing as needed (Sebi’s fingernails are a sight to behold), walking slowly, and enjoying all sorts of modes of transportations - cars, metros, trains, bicycles, trolleys, planes.

We were reminded of the richness of a rustic, country life, of the importance of using time to be close to family, the land, and animals. I needed this out of office in a way I didn’t know I did. My cells are bursting and my eyes welling up acknowledging this.

In all these sweet moments, I’d be remiss to not include the hot-humid-sweat-dripping-hot-weather moments (an extra joy while carrying your bags, trying to figure out directions and get into your accommodations), toddler defiance, traffic jams and flight delays (what’s up Retrograde?) and pink eye (again? Oh yes, again). I write these out to remember the character building moments, because while I definitely did sweat it (quite literally), those moments pass and pale in the glow of the memories.

And, because both things can be true. The and/also season. The paradox life.

This was my first taste of what summer vacation is like on this side of the equation - with kid in tow; I am mourning its end and the start of our first school year, in less than 3 weeks. And/also, excited for that shift into the school year, the restart, the season change. Until the next OOO, la revedere.