same same summer
prompted by Jgirl14’s contemplations
Luang Prabang, Laos
The suddenly nippy mornings caught us by surprise and we found ourselves wondering if summer was nearly over. What it has lacked in length (it’s only been seven weeks), it has made up for in ferocity. And the days are actually still warmer than the hottest NZ day; it’s just that it now gets cold overnight. Although the mornings are goosebumpy, we don’t quite feel the need to follow the Lao example of wearing long pants, shirt, sweater, jacket, hat, socks and jandals. But then, we don’t have summers of over 40 degrees, so sixteen degrees does not feel freezing to us. Sitting shivering slightly on our morning balcony we contemplated how this summer has NOT been same same.
- * no camping
- * no long evenings
- * fried rice instead of barbeques and salads
- * no beach days
- * no making huts in the bush (forest for you Americans)
- * no gardening (the kids say YIPPEE!!!!)
- * lots more sweat (it trickles down your back and drips off you buttocks)
- * no jam-making or preserving
- * (until the last few days) all day heat
- * no peaches, plums or apricots (but look at the alternative):
This could be read that we are complaining – please understand this is in no way a grizzle. We’re just making some of the probably-inevitable-at-some-point comparisons. In fact, most days *someone* usually says something along the lines of “I am so enjoying this” or we get a letter saying, “Dear Mum and Dad, Thanks for taking us on this trip. I am learning so much and having a great time. I see God’s hand in creation and pray that He will teach us more every day. Lots of love from….” And a few days ago the one routine-loving-family-member, who has had her world turned upside-down even mentioned, “It took me about a month to get used to travelling, but I’m really loving it now. I’d even like to stay away for longer.”
not the same, but wonderful in its difference
Tags: children, learning, postcard: Laos, recreation, tradition
rayres
bless your kids and they are right they must be learning so much in a wonderfully practical way