Many of you who are following our journey, see all the wonderful adventures that we are experiencing.
What we don't often post, are the adversities that we face while traveling abroad away from family and friends.
These range from small things, lack of power for devices, water production, laundry, etc.... to the harder ones, fewer children to socialize with, saying farewell..... to the hardest of all, family illness or deaths, relying on family to take care of aging/sickly parents. There is a lot of guilt that goes along with deciding to travel abroad for an undetermined amount of time.
Recently, I received devastating news about my Mom's health. I was fortunate enough to be in a place where I could jump on a flight back to Canada, to spend time with her.
Before departing, Shaun and I had to decide who would travel back, and who would stay with Element. She was scheduled to make the jump to Indonesia with a rally in July, and we needed to move or be "stuck" in Australia for another year, due to weather patterns. We gave Paige the choice on where she wanted to be (Paige made the hard decision to stay with Element and make the jump to Indonesia). Jordan, being younger did not have the same choice, she traveled back to Canada with me.
Jordan and I made it back in time to see my Mom but, four days after we arrived she suddenly passed away. It was so shocking to have lost her. Paige and Shaun, who had planned on making the long journey home, once Element was safely tucked away up the coast of Australia, didn't have the chance to say goodbye. It broke my heart to call them on June 9, and tell them both that "my Mom died today". I was fortunate enough to have had the chance to say goodbye and have some semblance of closure.
My brother and his wife were exceptional during the whole process. They had been the backbone for the past 4 years, while my family travelled abroad. Without them, my Mom would have been even more lonely.
Next came the handling of my Mom's affairs, and trying to keep a 9 year old from being bored silly. Have ever heard the phrase, "it takes a village"? I am so grateful for my village that helped me through. They didn't hesitate to take Jordan or, help in any way necessary. I love them all and am so fortunate to have them in my life.
Between my brother and his wife, we worked through everything quite successfully, knowing that I had a definite timeline. Jordan and I would be departing Canada August 13, to make the trek back to Element and the rest of our family.
It has been a crazy couple of months, and I am excited to say that everything was completed. We made wonderful new friends, reconnected with old friends, drove a lot of kilometers, had teeth extracted, built character, survived as a single/married parent, dug deep for strength, and found that through tragedy brings love and support.
I think of my Mom daily, forgetting sometimes that she is gone. Wanting so many times to call and tell her some exciting news.
The adversities that have crossed my path over the past 4 years have made me a stronger more resilient person.
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