On this day last year, we said goodbye to all that we knew in Cape town, journeyed across the African continent to the Northern parts of the globe- Finland. Armed with hope and the promise of a new life. The opportunity to leave had finally met preparedness.
As with most travellers, we were optimistic, excited and slightly unnerved, but nothing could hold back our high hopes and big dreams. As you know, there is nothing more refreshing than the knowledge of having new possibilities, choices and chances. We couldn’t wait to find out what the future had in store for us. Off we went leaving African soil the one day, to arrive the next day to what would be our new home for the next undetermined period of time. We were good and ready!
Our arrival was well planned to coincide with the middle of the Finnish summer, so we were not disappointed by the eternal days, with lovely sunshine and natures bountiful offerings. We took advantage of the organic fruits and vegetables available at the family’s summer cottage – a profusion of choices, from berries, to fresh basil and beans. It was nothing short of a vegetarian’s paradise.
Of course as with anything unknown, having mixed feelings is standard, yet regardless, one continues to keep the hope alive that all will work out fine, come what may. To be honest the easiest part of the process of changing countries was the decision to move, the purchasing of tickets and acquiring of visas. These were all fairly straight forward. What wasn’t altogether clear was other logistical matters such as, how long it would take to find our own place, secure jobs, find schoolings etc, you know the basic day to day issues of daily living. As the great team that we are, we knew that perseverance and endurance would be key for us to build a future with all the realistic odds that were stacked against us.
After having lived in CT for a number of years, it was no secret to us how things can get difficult when building something from scratch, so we had a bag of tools we had collected from previous experiences.
As Murphy would have it, on the third week of our stay in Finland, I had a freak accident, snapped my Achilles heel, got hospitalised and operated on, and was rendered immobile for a couple of months. Granted this was not an ideal way to start a new life- in fact it was the last thing we could have imagined would happen to any of us, however, when life throws you a curve ball, you learn to adapt and roll with the punches. We soldiered through the summer with me on crutches, while we nonetheless were trying to make in roads within the society. Needless to say, most of our illusions were shattered almost instantly, however, sometimes illusions do need to be sheltered. We had to face reality, re-assess our situation, and regroup before we could take the bull by the horns and start our new life.
The business of new beginnings has it’s pros and cons, the trick has been for us to find a balance, and to constantly do so. The status quo keeps altering all the time.
We have had great times and some not so great, but through it all, we have really found new meaning in the expression ‘when the going gets tough, the tough get going’ We have laughed, cried and smiled through the process of putting down roots- nobody said it would be easy. We have been through the fiery furnace and came out the other side in one piece fortified. For that I am grateful.
In the last year we have met our objectives, reached our short term goals, and achieved things that seemed insurmountable when we started. Life has never been so good! There is so much that I could recall and recount, but in the interest of space and time cannot. All in all, We are happy that we have made it this far, and trust that as the journey continues, the next phase will bring us more surprises that will continue to enrich our life as a family.
To my partners in crime, I am proud to have you as my family. I look forward to the next coming years of our building this life that we call ours.
May we never get too tired and weary, may we always find strength from being a team.
You guys are aces in my booksJ
