holiday

 We all know there is no place like home.  A place to belong and feel totally relaxed and at ease.  However, the hectic pace of springtime on a farm can set me off-balance after a quiet, long winter.  I love everything about the farm…tending the gardens brings me such peace and calm, the animals are delightful with their individual personalities and antics, even doing the mundane repairs and maintenance is satisfying.  But it is busy in May with a promise of only getting busier.

When our annual visit to the coast for my daughter’s meetings with Children’s Hospital arose, I seized the opportunity to take all three kids on a road trip to Salt Spring Island. Papa stayed behind to work and tend the animals…and to have a week’s worth of evenings on the river, fishing. I have not yet taken my kids alone for a big road trip…with Sunshine’s condition, we get very little sleep at night as we wake to do blood sugar checks every few hours.  The thought of doing that solo, without my husband, has always intimidated me.  But this time, I felt ready…and it was far too enticing to go visit my old stomping grounds on Salt Spring.

I had once lived there in my more spontaneous, free-loving days (read : before husband and children arrived).  My oldest friend in the world had recently moved there with her young family and that was all the reason we needed.  It was a wonderful visit of seaside scavenging, picnics on the beach, wave hopping, market meanderings and late night charades.  Sarah and I even dashed out to a winery for a little taste testing, leaving seven kids with her husband.  After four days on Salt Spring, the four of us headed to the Big City for our meetings.  Luckily, we met up with another oldtime friend and one of her kids at the aquarium (which rescues and rehabilitates sea animals)…and while our kids fondled stingrays (!) and scampered from fish to fish exhibit, Jill and I were able to chat, just like old times.  We felt the draw to home before we were finished our visit.  A week away, especially the last few days in such a busy metropolis, was all that was needed to bring us home with happy hearts and relaxed minds…and new perspective.  We have it so good here on the farm, and I wouldn’t trade that for anything.

And guess what was the first thing we did upon arrival (aside from giving Papa big bear hugs)?  We all ran down to the animals to say hello and give cuddles to everyone…and share some of our newly acquired stories.

Indeed, a little perspective was all that was needed to return home to a busy farm which is only going to get busier in the next few weeks.  To return home to a well-rested papa and well-cared for animals…it makes the adventuring away all the more worthwhile.

Not to mention, the arrival of our last lamb a few days later…wee little Cosmo, welcome to Gladsheim Farm.  There’s no place like home.