Anticipation is one of the most glorious of feelings...the anticipation of the arrival of people, certain events, holidays, and other positive experiences often makes my heart sing. Fa la la la la! I am learning to accept such opportunities with gratitude.
It is not anything extraordinary that makes me smile. In fact, even the most mundane of tasks can be joyful when completed with someone you love. Some examples include cooking, washing and drying dishes, and making the bed in the morning.
Our days are simple, yet busy. Awake at 4 am, making the first French press pot of coffee, sipping that first taste of the dark warm fluid, walking to work, meeting up after work, preparing a simple meal, playing with the cat, watching the BBC or French news, and reading in bed, are just a few of the precious moments that occur on any given day.
For me, teaching on a regular basis is also heartwarming. I come home with some stories to share about children, colleagues, meetings, and sometimes even surprises. I had a whole string of positive messages from children and children's parents after the last round of report cards and parent teacher conferences. When problems arise, which often occurs, I feel stronger to face them knowing that I have an friend at home to on which to bounce ideas off.
All this to say that I am absolutely thrilled to be spending the next month in the company of family. Talk about anticipation. At school the countdown is on. A mere eight days of classes (plus another set of report cards!), and then we will be heading to our home in Canada. Shortly after that we will wing our way to North Dakota to spend Christmas with our daughter and her boyfriend.
On Boxing Day we will return home to await the arrival of our son and grandchildren for a couple of days.
But then, all good things must come to an end. January will see me back in Kuwait for the second semester of school. From January through June, it looks like I will be on my own again, teaching during the day, and hopefully swimming and walking and doing those things that I have not had the opportunity to do since the broken rib incident.
I have determined to enjoy each moment, to treasure the memories made, and to not obsess about the future. What will be will be. Life is good!
Until next time,
Bee Rich
PS It is rainy season in Kuwait. Thunder and lightning and downpours remind us of a warm Canadian autumn.
