Growing Versions

 Not all those who wander are lost. -J.R.R Tolkein

I just returned from a trip to Cuba.  It was a wonderful week, spent with my intrepid mom. We had trips to Havana and Trinidad and water falls and museums, and we had many "intervals of leisure" (Eva Hoffman, author of  How to be Bored . I came home extremely rested.  Initially, I attributed it to having a chance to slow down, without kids, to swim and read.  However, shortly after my return, I heard this interview with Eva Hoffman, Finding meaning in doing nothing , on Spark, CBC.  She talks about the importance of reserving "intervals of leisure" unconnected to email/devises to reflect and be introspective.  "The value of an experience can increase" when we are not bombarded by electronic stimulus, allowing us to "dip into our memories and make connections" and this was the beauty of my time in Cuba. Now, a few days and several emails and instagram posts later, I do notice a difference.  My extremely rested brain was previously so dehyd...

Last night, my son and I ventured to the playground after dark because he was very excited to show me how he now feels brave enough to jump off the playground equipment with a rope.   It was a starry clear night, with just a smattering of snow on the ground, and as we walked I commented that we hadn't done that much sledding this year.  Thanks to a gentle winter mostly, I thought. My son responded, "yeah, the years are getting fierce.  The wind is blowing so strong and people are making jumps these days.  When I was four, I got on a little sled and went down little hills, now it's getting fierce and I don't want to go sledding anymore." I had no idea.

"...Loss creates holes in your life, the holes create more surface area in a person, so tremendous loss doesn't have to make you darker but it can make you deeper." Augusten Burroughs