Monday, January 1, 2018

Goodbye Old Year!

It has been quite the year for us. We left behind our adopted home of 21 years and moved to Mexico. We drove through a country known for its violence, not speaking the language, with heightened awareness, feeling invincible and vulnerable with intermittent frequency. Both our children got engaged and have chosen their life partners. Such a giant decision in one's life. We are lucky that they have picked two people that we both have come to love over the past few years.

We have met wonderful new people and have learnt a lot about the local traditions, food and unending generosity of its people. We are struggling through our broken Spanish, but improve daily. To say we have changed is an understatement. We have grown, each in their own way and we have found ourselves in constant upheaval in the process that we know from experience, takes years to finally reach that feeling of belonging.

Mexico is the kind of place that grows on you. You may instantly love the people, which is not difficult to do, but the country has so many contrasts and raises feelings in yourself that you didn't know you had, and sometimes didn't want to have. You get to know yourself.

We continue to strive to live in the moment, make the most of each day, and leaving the old year and any negativity behind. Luckily the Mexicans have a tradition to burn away the old year by stuffing a home made mannequin (or an old man piñata) with straw and fireworks and at midnight set it alight; thus burning away the old and leaving any bad events in the past. Last night, we were privileged to have been invited outside by our neighbours, where everyone came outside, burning their old year mannequins and wishing each other (and us) Happy New Year. It was an awesome experience, and one I look forward to for many years to come.

Right now, at the beginning of a new year, we have many more decisions to make, and many more lessons to learn. We are excited about it, and also apprehensive. Sometimes you want to peak at what the future holds. We are blessed with good friends (old and new). We have things to look forward to (did I mention weddings) and so much to live for every day.

Feliz Años Nuevo. Happy New Year. Love and Peace to one and all.


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