My Mom's been alluding that I'm a missionary. I guess she can't explain why I'm Living in Paradise, and gave up working for the machine.
I say, yes, missionary position.
My parents keep waiting for me to get over my mid-life-crisis. They want me to get real hungry and come crawling back, broke, disallusioned, defeated.
I disappoint them.
They don't visit, (it would "validate" what I'm doing) even when I try and blackmail them into coming down by saying I'm not visiting this year, its too expensive. But every year I visit my parents. It reminds me why I moved away. They know I'm bluffing because I need to shop for clothing and unmentionables - in my size - because they don't carry my size in the land of Lilliput (Mexico) and there's NOTHING absolutely NOTHING for sale in Belize, unless its a peice of fabric to wrap around your ass and tuck on the side.
Every year I visit my children, its hard to leave. I wish I could be there more, and not have to deal with the day-to-day business of living in the Metro Detroit area, working, cars (essential) mortgage, credit cards, power lunches.
The only thing I miss about Detroit is my children and now grandchildren. Three grown up daughters, 3 granddaughters and 1 new grandson named Adam (because he's the first)
If I could, I would transplant them all here in my garden. But this is not their dream, its my dream.
Adam, the name of my 24-year old son!
ReplyDeleteWe bring kids into the world but we must let them go into a world of their own because that is the way of the world. They will live their own life and learn to love us in their own way. All we need to do as parents is understand and cherish.
Our duty is to ourselves and that is not selfishness, it is just the way of the world...
Beautifully said, Cream.
ReplyDeleteMy mother has had to learn to let go...of her husband, my father, he died. Of her children, they all migrated. Of her sisters, all migrated.
Adam! The name of my cousin's son, his first child.
Apparently PinF is soon going to have to morph into PaynterinBelize!...what's wrong with these folks? Detroit? and you have to convince them? Like Mick Jagger said..."if they don't wanna know, forget 'em"...which may or may not be a little harsh considering this is family but hell, that ain't right.
ReplyDeleteMy Mom returned a year ago from Honduras, where she served at age 64 for 2 1/2 years in the Peace Corps, and believe me it was no tropical wonderland like you have. She was gutting it out and helping people survive-- all the while mired in abject poverty and deplorable conditions....still, all five of her adult sons found time to visit, as did several friends. PinF made three trips....hang in there guyana-gyal, PinF is coming--I will be your visitor...and we will chill.
This is something common to all ex-pats, I think.
ReplyDeleteSaw your comment on my blog and thought I'd pay you a return visit. I love, love, LOVE your artwork! Your stories of Belize life are very funny!
Always glad to meet another ex-pat blogger.
Admired your comments! Actress Sela Ward writes in her book that we all end up leaving our hometowns for a reason; usually they weren't large enough to hold our dreams. You make good sense. I wish I were able to vacation where you are. Sounds great!
ReplyDeleteCaye Caulker is like summer camp for adults. Everyone else gets their parental visit, except me.
ReplyDeletebeing an expat is such a bittersweet thing sometimes, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteI always keep this line from ONCE AROUND in my head when dealing with my folks...or anyone pissing on my choices. Holly Hunter's character is getting grief over her decision to marry this guy her family hates and she says, "Ma! MA!! This is my adventure." That pretty much covers it in my book.
ReplyDeletebeen to Belize three times on short term mission trips....our fun day every year is out snorkeling on Caye Caulker. My 12 year old (no. 1) has been all three years and 10yr old (no. 2)just this past summer. All of us love, love , love it. Wish I had the cahonies to blow this popsicle stand and move there. I am so glad to have found your blog. Just to keep up with what is happening on the caye relaxes me!
ReplyDeleteIt would definately be nice to visit my mother in Belize. I can't speak for my grandparents, because they have plenty of money and are retired. But when you are in your mid twenties, broke, and raising a family it's a little tuff to collect enough pennies to actually take a decent vacation. Living up here is not my dream by any means, it's just life. Maybe when my child is grown, I can live how I would like too.
ReplyDeleteSomestimes its great to for one reason or another just pack up and disappear i know i am looking forward to it as soon as i get a plane ticket i'll be there
ReplyDelete