And So This is Home
When we decided to take an international work assignment a mere 5 years ago, we knew it would change our lives, but what we didn’t know is how our lives would change. Having that said, our international work contract came to an end, resulting in a HUGE decision for our family – do we stay or do we go? And though the decision had essentially been made for us, we still agonized over the outcome. Endless talks around the kitchen table with the ugly “what –if’s” rearing their head from time to time. The thing is, we have come to adore this life, but having that said, this life that we have chosen is not necessarily an easy life. It is the life less traveled, the life we elected to lead and it has come to make all the difference. But this life, is not without struggle, we do yearn for the familiar, we long to be close to family and friends and we, at times, greatly miss our country. We fumble and stumble here and just because we live in a beautiful city abroad, we are not immune to the perils of life. We don’t speak the language, we are raising children alone, and we must constantly find our way. We have become used to the effort, though not unaffected by the lack of ease.
So why stay? Honestly, we stayed for a plethora of reasons, but first and foremost, our work prospects back home were very bleak, which meant the future for our family was completely grey. If it were just us, we might have said we would take the chance, but now that we have two, precious children to care for, our decisions have greater impact. The thought of moving our family only to find out that work might not be secure and having to job hunt in a less than favorable economy didn’t seem like the best of decisions for us, or the little loves in our lives.
And Switzerland has been good to us. This small country has offered these eyes visions that we didn’t know were possible. We are still in complete awe each time we venture into the Alps. There is magic in those mountains, those fields of wildflowers, the crystal lakes and the fresh air. If ever God was present, he presents himself to us up in those mountains.
We feel secure here and that means a lot to this mama. After spending years looking over my shoulder, running home, scared of people of the street, I now walk with caution, but ease. I know if I drop something on the street, I can go back and find it a day or two later. I know if something breaks in our home, someone will come promptly and fix it right the first time. All of these things contribute to our quality of life.
We leave less of a carbon footprint on our beautiful earth. No cars, no house, no need to play games of material consumption. We would rather collect memories than things and we feel at ease living like that here.
And our children.
Oh, this little urban haven has a surplus of incredible parks, pools, museums, cobbled stoned streets, chiming church bells, quaint allies, side walk cafes, fabulous schools, people from all over the world, languages abound, the culture is varied and the experience feels, oh, so rich. (We know the US can afford these opportunities as well, but here, they are right in our neighborhood.) Our son is learning German, we hear on average 4-5 languages in the grocery store, the hospitals are incredible, markets fresh, travel opportunities vast, strong educational opportunities, and because we simply didn’t feel finished. We didn’t feel in our guts that this was over, that we had finished exploring this part of the globe. There is something so intoxicating, so educational about travel, it leaves it mark on you, it changes you and makes you a different person.
Oh, this little urban haven has a surplus of incredible parks, pools, museums, cobbled stoned streets, chiming church bells, quaint allies, side walk cafes, fabulous schools, people from all over the world, languages abound, the culture is varied and the experience feels, oh, so rich. (We know the US can afford these opportunities as well, but here, they are right in our neighborhood.) Our son is learning German, we hear on average 4-5 languages in the grocery store, the hospitals are incredible, markets fresh, travel opportunities vast, strong educational opportunities, and because we simply didn’t feel finished. We didn’t feel in our guts that this was over, that we had finished exploring this part of the globe. There is something so intoxicating, so educational about travel, it leaves it mark on you, it changes you and makes you a different person.
We are different people.
We recall with giddy smiles, the times we met old farmers in small villages in Italy, watching the sun set in glory over famous Swiss peaks, walking through monasteries in Portugal, seeing the village where my grandmother was from, taking in the Tour de France with fresh eyes and sharing that incredible experience with our son, enjoying crystal calm waters in Spain, being completely engrossed in architecture, spending countless hours in museums in England because, just because, you have never witnessed talent so raw, so true, so incredible. Learning more about yourself each time you enter a new country, and teaching your children what it means to respect other people, other cultures and other customs.
We recall with giddy smiles, the times we met old farmers in small villages in Italy, watching the sun set in glory over famous Swiss peaks, walking through monasteries in Portugal, seeing the village where my grandmother was from, taking in the Tour de France with fresh eyes and sharing that incredible experience with our son, enjoying crystal calm waters in Spain, being completely engrossed in architecture, spending countless hours in museums in England because, just because, you have never witnessed talent so raw, so true, so incredible. Learning more about yourself each time you enter a new country, and teaching your children what it means to respect other people, other cultures and other customs.
Oh, I could go on, but for now, that is why we chose to stay – for now, this small country with enormous opportunity has changed us and we feel all the more humble for the experience. And because when you travel, you realize everything you have been afforded in life and come to appreciate everything you no longer need.
