2 weeks with 2 kids 2 oceans away
I still remember planning for this trip 6 months ago and
here I sit now in my mother-in-law’s flat on the last day of my holiday before
heading back to Canada. Back to life. Back to reality. Aside from the typical south
Asian vacation experience which included a lot of eating, shopping, sleeping
and some time at the beach and pool as well as the extreme heat, mosquito bites
and not drinking enough water on purpose to avoid using public washrooms, it
was my first time being away with both kids, just Raj and I, so far from home.
To be honest, I was most anxious about this as I knew it
would be a ‘test’ of some sort. My mom has always been around and both kids go
to her as frequently (if not more often) as Raj and I. Here, it was just me. Don’t
get me wrong, Raj’s family was more than happy to do whatever was necessary including
feeding them and washing their clothes, but the kids’ natural inclination was to come to me if they
wanted or needed something; anything.
The exhausting journey on the plane, explaining why the
washrooms and life here is so different, ensuring they don’t drink the tap
water, dealing with Ro’s illness. It wasn’t easy but it has brought us closer
and left me feeling re-assured knowing that if push came to shove I can trust
my instinct and deal with whatever is thrown at me; projectile vomit included.
I think testing yourself at various junctures in life is
important if only to remind yourself that you aren’t totally worthless and that
if 2 lives depend on you, you must deliver. This commitment itself to deliver
expands your boundaries, pushes your limits and leaves you feeling quietly
confident.
