It is almost 3 weeks since I left on vacation and I’ve only blogged once.
There are some practical reasons for this and of course the main one is time. Lack of time. We tend to be busy and on-the-go most of the day, every day.
Secondly, access to my laptop. Dear daughter is also using mine so any down time we have, has to be split 2 ways. Or if DH gives his laptop to the boys for a while, it’s then split 3-ways.
But also I’ve come to realize it’s generally not the BIG THINGS in life happening around me that I like to reflect on and write about, but the small things. Those Barely Noticeable things. Which for the most part go un-noticed when you’re trying to take in all the newness of the surroundings when in a foreign land.
Whizzing through Paris on a bus, floating down the canals in Amsterdam. Touring Copenhagen on Segways like we did yesterday. Not only am I busy inhaling the fresh outdoor air (yes, you can find this even in these big cities), but the eyes can barely keep up taking in all the sights. Ears can barely keep track of the sounds. Nose is busy with the smells of Belgian chocolate on freshly made waffles and the like. It is overwhelming.
Not to mention what’s going on in the old noggin! Trying to pack it all in neatly so I can recall it tomorrow or years later…
At the moment I’m in Sweden which is the country of my family’s heritage. Today, while I’m here, my family is all back in Canada to celebrate and remember my Dad’s life, who passed away in January (but they delayed any memorial service until today). This is the homeland of his family, his parents, who immigrated to Canada in the early 1900’s. We hadn’t planned to be here today for this reason. In fact, I didn’t realize this is where I would be, until a couple weeks ago.
I was ‘estranged’ I guess you could call it, from my Dad for the past 17 years. So, it’s with mixed feelings I think about today’s events. Not that I know anything about them. For some reason I’ve been left out of it all. I guess whoever’s arranging it all figured I didn’t want or need to know.
I do know that the feelings and memories of things Swedish linger on in me….. which means that my Dad’s life (and/or my grandparents lives) have influenced mine in some warm, wonderful ways and I will be focused on them today, in his memory.
Good things. Bad things.
Big things. Small things.
I am still a firm believer that it’s all those small things that make the biggest impact, no matter what they are.
barelynoticeable 
It is a strange coincidence that you are in Sweden today of all days. I will write and tell you about the Memorial…….haven’t written about it because I didn/t want to make you sad or anything on your holiday. Sorry! xxoo
I think, over time, I have learned to notice, take in and appreciate the value of small things – my kids deserve credit for impacting my ability to do that. On the other hand, I often find it can be a difficult thing trying to keep things in perspective and accept the fact that, sometimes, what we perceive as a big thing is really just a small thing. It’s an area I need to work on in my day-to-day life and, when I do, I hear these song lyrics in my head, “Sometimes that mountain you’ve been climbing is just a grain of sand.”
It IS a coincidence. Or maybe – it’s just as it was meant to be.
Don’t worry about writing. Its not your responsibility…. so nothing for you to be sorry for.
Agreed Darcy and thanks for the comment. Our kids teach us a lot don’t they?
And yes, this is just another one of those things that will be over and done with in almost an instant. Those grains of sand are small and best blown far and fast away.
In the end, I am always thankful for it all… if there weren’t any e-motion in our days, our lives would be dreadfully dry and flat. Living in the desert, I know how boring that can be!!! 😉
it is wonderful that you connected to your heritage like that, what a great treasure to now have!
Yes, it is something great that I feel a connection to. Making the trip this summer, reaffirmed it!