Holding Many Emotions
When you are incredibly happy and fiercely miss those you love
We spent almost 2 weeks in the states this summer. The lake, campfires and time with family were a refreshing change from our life in San Miguel de Allende. The challenges of being crammed into a small cabin in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan with sand, dogs and kids were overshadowed by being together, even if only for a short time.
Choosing to move to Mexico has been amazing, yet the reality of leaving our extended family and friends has been hard. The summer has me missing camping with my sister, picking fruit in the orchards, and impromptu grilling with friends and family.
Even with this sadness, I also feel happy with our life in Mexico. We’ve decided to stay for another year and are all finally getting into a groove. The kids’ language skills are progressing so fast, it amazes me. My language learning speed is similar to el caracol (the snail). Poco a poco! (Little by little!)
But life here is good. I love the pace, the people, the food, the culture, the ability to have a cleaner 3 days a week…. that may be my favorite thing. But in all honesty, I feel a level of content I haven’t felt it a while (or maybe I’ve never felt it?).
Being content with the present is challenging for me. I’m always dreaming and planning for the next thing. This is no surprise for an enneagram 7 (who are my other enneagram nerds?!). Us 7s love living in the future and the “what could be” vs. what is.
But this past year, I was finally able to really be in the present. I’ve been able to enjoy the experiences of Mexico, of making new friends and and enjoying old friends visiting.
We’ve decided to stay another year and we don’t have plans beyond that. We’re often asked how long we’ll be here. I can honestly say I don’t know. And I don’t need to know right now and that feels freeing.
I’m still a dreamer and have many ideas and plans on the horizon but it doesn’t have the sense of urgency for change that it once did. And, it doesn’t seem to get in the way of enjoying what is going on today.
I’ll continue to enjoy my zumba classes, walking through centro listening to mariachis play, and going mezcal tasting with friends. I think I may even take up salsa dancing….
I’m looking forward to enjoying all the upcoming holidays (and there are soooo many here) knowing this year we are settled in and have a better idea what’s going on.
Even though we all said tearful goodbyes to people we love fiercely, it feels good to be home in our beautiful town. We are learning to both make space for the the ache of missing those we love and also honoring the experiences we want to have as a family. It’s not always easy to juggle but we’re working on it.
For those who are not near us right now, know you are greatly missed.
And we’re open to more visitors this coming year :)