It came up in conversation recently with a friend whether or not I was happy with my life, and I have to say that yes, things are going pretty well if I do say so myself. I'm happily married, I have wonderful family and friends who love and support me, we all have our good health, I enjoy my job, I've a roof over my head and food in my belly...what more could I ask for, really? (Aside from the occasional spa day and 5 star meal that I don't have to cook myself, ha!) As the year winds down and I start to reflect on how much my life's changed over the past 12 months, I appreciate everything I have that much more.
The other night, Jeff and I were sitting and writing our Christmas cards to mail home, and I was reminded of how I used to wish that I'd be doing that exact thing with someone one day. I called them my "picket fence" dreams - where I had the husband, the house, the typical suburban life...too much Leave it to Beaver as a kid, perhaps? Maybe. But I'm still content with how life is treating me. I'm thankful I have a husband who will humour me and sit and write to our family and friends on cheesy cards I painstakingly chose for us - and enjoy doing it too!
Of course, writing Christmas cards turned into an emotional exercise in and of itself since I started to cry when it really hit me that we won't be home for the holidays. Geez, I cried putting the tree up, I cried writing cards...this is much harder than I expected it to be. (I don't cry *that* much normally!!) It's also extra hard because co-workers are planning their trips home, and some are already gearing up to leave (you don't go home for a few days when you're up here - it's not worth the long travel day - so you make plans to go home for weeks at a time, and December is a pretty quiet month in the office.) Thankfully we have plans to Skype with our families for Christmas, but it's not quite the same as being there in person. I guess this isn't quite how I'd pictured my very first Christmas as husband and wife.
That being said, we're making all sorts of plans for the holidays here, building new memories to add to our collection, and experiencing a life that not many people can say they'll experience. It may be more of a "snow fence" dream rather than a "picket fence" dream, but I'm still thankful for every second of it.
-L
So enjoying your posts Lily and Jeff. This one is especially lovely.
ReplyDeleteAjan
I am pretty sure that there are lots of community events going on in Baker Lake over the holidays. My holidays are pretty specific, so I've never stayed, but I know lots of people do.
ReplyDeleteI know lots of your co-workers. Hopefully, I'll actually meet you sometime after Christmas.
Someone was just mentioning that the community does something every evening the week of Christmas, so we'll try to look up some of those!
DeleteWe would be happy to meet a fellow Baker Blogger! :)
Awww..... :) I think you guys will have a good time together, no matter what. Yes, you wont see your families, but it can be a good bonding experience for you both and time for personal reflection. (which you're already doing)
ReplyDeleteWhat are the chances to do something like go star gazing, complete with hot chocolate and all that? Is it totally impractical? I don't know what the snow and cold allows you to do. Do you see the aurora borealis? That must be beautiful too!
Anyway, I enjoyed this post... and I pictured you guys writing funny stories together and I'm very happy for you both. *hugs*
If anyone's ever looking for a bonding experience with their mate - being isolated away from friends, family and "civilization" is certainly a good way to do it!
DeleteWe see the Northern Lights on nights when it's extremely cold and clear. It's not like the ones you see in pictures with lots of colours and dancing, but they're more streaks of white and sometimes green. Lots of stars too, but we can only stand outside for so long before we give up and go inside - we're wussies!
I've said it before and I'll say it always - as long as we have each other, we can do anything. :)