Friday, April 15, 2011

Joy and sorrow

It has been a time of very mixed emotions.

At the beginning of March our little family was all reunited following 27months of separation. It was a joy filled moment, the children and I, Papa and Linus all back together after such a long time, so many uncertainties, so many journeys to different places in search of the place where we would once again be together.
Miguel was deported and will no longer be allowed to enter the United States, hence the search for a place to reunite. 
Here we are in Venezuela staying with Miguel's Mom, who has been so generous as to leave us her place and moved in with her sister. Spending time with the extended family is wonderful and the children are really enjoying getting to know their cousins. 
Initially we had planned to stay here for 2-3 years, work online as well as fixing up a downstairs apartment that used to be Miguel's grandfathers.
We were busy at work downstairs when an old friend out of the blue calls up Miguel and offers us to come to Mexico where he has just bought some land and wants to create a permaculture farm, eco tourism venture, and he wants us to be part of it. He will in fact with our help build us a cob house, a house that we design. We will be paid a salary to help create exactly what we have been dreaming about and planning for years now. Wow, I feel so blessed!!

Right around the same time as we receive this news, I also get news from my Dad back in Denmark that he has just been diagnosed with a very advanced colon cancer which has spread to his liver.
Just a few days ago he started a harsh chemotherapy treatment and my heart is hurting  from being so far away. I feel helpless, and the frailty of life is made painfully obvious as 
I struggle to trust that all is as it should be. 

The joy of being all together again, the sorrow of being so far away during my fathers time of need.
The joy of new possibilities, the sorrow of the pain my father is going through.
All of it seems two sides of the same coin, the front and the back of this thing we call life.

I will be back here with a step by step documentation of our upcoming venture in Tulum Mexico.
Self sustainability, cob building, permaculture gardening, farming, homeschooling and more.
Till then..
~Blessings~


15 comments:

  1. oh christina.... my heart goes out to you and your family. i will keep you in my prayers. i'm so sorry to hear about your dad. good news about your dreams coming true. i hope you will be able to build the life you've always dreamed of together with your family.

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  2. That's hard news to take...I'm so sorry to hear about your father...and it must be so hard to be far away at a time like this.
    On the other hand, the opportunity that's opened up for you and your family sounds so wonderful...what a dream come true.
    Best of luck...love and light and prayers to you and your family
    xoxo maureen

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  3. I'm sending you a big hug from the UK Christina ... I lost my Dad to cancer in December and I can so relate to where you are right now. I love your blog and the way you raise your beautiful children. It inspires me .... truly xxx

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  4. What a fabulous opportunity; I'm so glad your family is back together again.

    I'm also sorry to hear about your dad. I'll keep him in my thoughts. *hugs*

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  5. Christina - you have really been through it these last years. This is the nature of life, to be so terribly complex - it's like a coin with its two sides of the same moment. Your father will be fine, you know - we live our lives here and then we go on. I say this as though it's a simple truth because I believe it to be so. But you - you will need comforting. Remember the great things about having known him. Remember his virtues and take them into yourself - and that way, his life will be given great meaning, and he will still have influence for good in all around you. My sympathies and sorrow -

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  6. Christina,
    I am so sorry to hear about your dad, it must be so hard for you being so far away from him. At the same time congratualtions on your new journey and adventures that lies ahead sounds truly amazing!! best wishes to you and family, and hope for recovery for your dad.
    hugs
    Lolo

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  7. my sweet friend,

    i am so, so saddened by the news of your father. my heart is with you and i hold you in my thoughts and prayers.

    what wonderful news of opportunities in mexico!! i am already thinking of a visit.....

    much love to you. know that you are missed here everyday. xoxoxoxo rae

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  8. Hi Christina,
    I have never commented, but have followed your blog for a little while.
    Thank you for sharing all these intense and life changing experiences so openly. My heart goes out to you and your family.
    May you feel your inner strength and a lot of support in the following days and weeks of change.
    Love from Eva
    P.S.: Thank you also for all these creative and inspiring ideas. I recently tried to felt a play mat after I read about it on your blog. The wool was gorgeous, but I made a mistake along the way and it ended up to be a very small play mat.

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  9. Oh, Christina, so many emotions at the same time... I am sending you love and strenght.

    Catxx

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  10. I was so excited, to check your blog, and see a new header, as the page loaded. I grew more and more excited as I read the first paragraphs. How wonderful- great news amidst the hurdles you have overcome as a family. How absolutely amazing for you that in a blink of an eye, dreams have come true. And then, such sadness filled my heart as I read the sad, sad news about your father. Many blessings to you and your family in this new adventure, as well as for the hardship of knowing your loved one is suffering. Thank so much for sharing.

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  11. You will be with your dad soon...I hope the chemo will help. Sounds like a great opportunity for you in Mexico.. a new adventure. The children will love it, as will Miguel.xxx

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  12. the balance of life...an often difficult thing to strike. my dad went to heaven last september. i understand some of what you are going through. may God's peace and comfort surround you. you have incredible courage and resilience as shown by the separation and moves you make. those muscles of character will support you as you journey to a new beginning. my God's hope bring you strength.

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  13. I have been behind in keeping up with your blog. I just read this post, and the ones before it.

    My heart really goes out to you. You seem to have such poise amidst these difficult, difficult challenges.

    I remain impressed at your ability and efforts to find the beauty in things, even in the face of immense anxiety. I will keep your family in my thoughts and wish for a speedy and healthy reunion and life for you all. Please take care.

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  14. What a journey you are taking. I am sure that the two sides of your emotions are struggling to find balance, but your grace through this time shows through. I will keep you in my thoughts.

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  15. I'm sending out a prayer for your Dad.

    What an amazing opportunity for your family! I'll be excited to read about it.

    Becca

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