So, here it is, 2 days out from our departure date and I have just discovered that today was not a teacher development/ pupil-free day and that the children were in fact meant to be at school. This leaves me wondering what else I may have overlooked… which leads to worry about all the things yet to be overlooked! How on earth are we going to see and do everything we have been learning about and planning for over the last few months in just 19 days? I guess there is only one way to find out.
To help prepare for our Turkish adventure we will be warming up our tourist walking shoes and memory cards in Amsterdam, Netherlands. In the 6 days leading up to our connecting flight to Antalya the plan is to go gezelligheid crazy. Here we will simply enjoy each other’s company in a beautiful place. Quietly observing the contrasts of this cosmopolitan city with its modern meets medieval charm, reflected in its 160 + canals as it goes about its way in it’s own good time.
Even before we have left the Dutch have made us feel welcome. I can not begin to thank our good friend Ingrid, living in Sydney, enough for her translations (mostly relating to PKU food) and the list of all supermarkets highlighting their low-pro diet suitable foods. Or for the many books she has loaned us on the Netherlands, offering reassurance that Amsterdam has much more to offer than its liberal reputation might suggest.
And Jolanda, for a few simple, yet poignant, words of encouragement from a friend who is always an example of how to reach hard for what you believe in. Is that a Dutch thing?
I have a husband who got behind this idea from the start, my two boys whose excitement kept the plans alive, parents who see through their worries to honestly feel happy for us, a sister who has opened her home to our youngest (her heart is always open), and a brother who has merged his itinerary with ours to make sure we are ‘looked out for’ over there. And that’s just the beginning. We have a very big family.
Are we ready? I don’t know. But with friends like these and a family like mine, I feel like somehow that isn’t as important as just enjoying this moment, the anticipation and knowing just how lucky we are.
I guess there is something to be learnt from today’s unscheduled absenteeism (or extra time with my boys)… despite all best intentions; things will not always go to plan. Being flexible might come in handy in the coming weeks, why not start a couple of days early?
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Why a Seagull?
- Remona
- In the story of Jonathan Livingston Seagull, we are shown that many of Jonathan's problems were due to his focus on his limitations. He also suffered from the liability of attempting to appease everyone. However, although distraught at times, Jonathan never totally gave up. He kept trying. During one instruction lesson on flying, an elder advised Jonathon: "To fly as fast as thought, to anywhere that is," he said, "you must begin by knowing that you have already arrived." Self-actualisation is a constant theme throughout the book, as well as the messages of courage, determination, perseverance, overcoming limitations/barriers, practice, and fortitude. These are virtues that make a lot of sense to our family. In this blog we hope to share some of the wonderful experiences PKU has brought to us in our own travels - acknowledging the bright side of the perceived limitation that our son will carry for life. We challenge him, and others with PKU to not just endure it, but LIVE it.
you'll be fine :)
ReplyDeleteKeep your head up, be strong and most imporantly HAVE FUN!!!!
Talk when you are back.
Take care and good luck!!!
Christa :)
Thanks Christa.
ReplyDeleteI'd be nervous if I wasn't so excited!
xx