Slow Down

The lazy days of summer are already upon us here in M-ville.  The temp every day is about 95 degrees in the shade and the thermometer climbs valiantly above 100 degrees in places without relief from the sun. The kids have two more weeks of school, but have excitedly proclaimed that there isn’t any more new homework being given. The ratio of their time spent in school and in the swimming pool is becoming increasingly heavier on the wet side of things. These days make the simplicity and beauty of life here shine through. 

I had been thinking about the reality of life here before my friend Tara wrote this post about entertainment in Haiti.  After reading her words, I realized that though we live miles and miles apart, our worlds are quite similar. 

Like Troy and Tara, our lives mainly center around our home and family life. A goes to work at the office (next door to our house) and after work comes home and we hang out…sometimes with guests, or friends, or neighbors, often just the three of us.

This started basically out of necessity.  M-ville is nice, but it doesn’t offer any family friendly hang-out spots.  There are no restaurants to go to, no places to play, and the stares get exhausting after a while.  A few times we have gone to the park to let Little t walk around and interact with the other boys.  Sometimes on Friday mornings, we go on family walks and that is great, but few and far between.

The fact of the matter is – home is where it is at. And we like it that way.  It started as necessity, but has become a rich and welcome routine. 

Don’t get me wrong, I would appreciate a trip to a restaurant every once in a while, or a playground for the little guy.  I would love to go on a date that is outside of my living room.  But, we are learning to deeply appreciate our time.

We spend our time gardening, reading, cooking, jumping on the trampoline, hunting for turtles, having dance parties, coloring, baking, fixing bikes/motorcycles, sitting outside and listening to the crickets.  Just normal simple stuff and it is good.

I commented to A the other day that I am slightly freaked out to think about one day returning to life in the States with all of its hustle and bustle.  Before this season of life, we have been people to go go go, always looking forward to the next event, next encounter with friends, next opportunity.  Now, I wonder if that was the healthiest thing for us as people and as a family. There are good things to be about, don’t get me wrong, but the power and growth of a family and a home lays heavy on my heart in these days.

Maybe it is because that is the season we are in, little guy, no place to go, not a lot of options. But I am liking the pace and pattern of our life these days and hope it continues for a long time.