Well Begun

Homeschooling By Candlelight

Isn't it funny how life moves, ebbs and flows?  Here I am, posting thrice in the same week, when at other times I may go weeks or months before posting.  I like to think that since this is a chronicling of some aspects of our lives, rather than a daily cliffhanger, that such spacing fits in perfectly here (not to mention the fact that maybe five people will ever read it, so it's not like I am disappointing the masses by leaving gaps).

As I type this, the snow is gently falling down outside the window while DS9 works on his math by candlelight.  I realize that it might not be evident by the above picture, but the curtain over the window goes across the middle of the window, leaving the top half open to view the gorgeous snow outside

What a difference a year makes. This time last year, we were in hot, humid weather in the tropics. My kids continuously asked "Mom, where is the snow?", particularly DD7, who is autistic. It was hard for her to understand that it doesn't snow Down Under, and that there simply was not going to be any of the white stuff at Christmastime. I got asked when the snow was coming for a good solid three months, after which my 7 year old gave up and accepted that flakes were not on the way.

We had beautiful scenery around us, don't get me wrong, but I must say that Christmas simply is not the same in Australia.  They don't have a "Holiday Season" there like we do in the States.  They don't really "do" Halloween (although it is gaining in popularity slowly in some places there), and naturally they don't have Thanksgiving, either. That only leaves Christmas, and without a cold snap or touch of snow to indicate a season change (it simply goes from being hot and humid to being even hotter and more humid), I think the build-up to Christmas is just not the same. Fewer people decorate their homes with lights (and with an electric bill skyrocketing due to higher air-conditioning bills in December (because it is their summer), who would want to pay more just to have some lights outside of the house?).  Besides, they could see some lights if they went to any number of free night markets that were held around the city each week...

Somewhere around mid-December, you start to see some form of excitement build...mostly from the children in anticipation of presents. There are far fewer holiday parties there (strangely, considering Aussies love an excuse to get together and drink), fewer people dress in Christmas colors, and far fewer groups of people getting together to sing Christmas carols.

I'm not judging Australia for this, simply observing. After all, they're too busy swimming in the warm Pacific waters, enjoying many more free public BBQ/picnic areas and free water parks (I know, right?!), and breezy evening strolls once the sun has drifted down the horizon to usher in more comfortable evenings.  Who could blame them for enjoying all that their summer has to offer rather than trying to find an ugly sweater to wear (it would be far too hot for that!), or getting out of the pool long enough to sing Christmas carols.

The Aussie lifestyle (at least where we were located) really has its own wonderful flavor. The fact that it is somewhat devoid of an extended Holiday Season doesn't bother anyone there, and really only served as a nostalgic pang for those of us "from away".

We found ourselves happily enjoying the local water park nearly every single day last December.  There were people lounging in the shade of nearby trees while children squealed with delight under shooting jets of water, climbing the water tower to slide down one side, and splashing about with friends.  There would be people grilling steaks, chicken, and vegetables on nearby free BBQ's, while families sat around the free picnic tables, chatting and catching up as the children played.  Behind the water park, people would be strolling along the boulevard, which overlooked the beach that quickly rolled its way towards the warm Pacific waters.

It is a slower pace, and yet exciting.  No one was ever in a rush to quickly scoff down their meals and then run off to the solitude of their homes. Instead, they sat for hours with their family and friends, nary a care in the world.

And here we are....back in the States and the snowy weather of our previous life.  There is a comfort in the return to the traditions of one's youth.  I'm glad that we've been able to show our children two very different cultures, lifestyles, and traditions. They can take what resonates with them and leave the rest...all the while knowing that their parents love them and support them.

My heart is bursting with joy today for these and so many other Truths in our lives.