I am back in Colombia now, but I spent most of this year in my homeland, taking preventative measures for my health and well-being and spending time with my family. That includes three nephews.
You might have seen a few updates on them via the Your Body Best Facebook page. I got to spend a lot of time with them, because I stayed with my brother and his wife most of the time I was in the States. I became a pretty constant presence in their lives for the last four months, and they loved it. So did I. I took the 3-year-old to pick out his very own yoga mat (and one for his brother) so they can keep practicing. We’ve had long talks about healthy food and the “best drink in the world” (water). We looked at Google images of poisonous snakes. (I don’t choose all our activities, but I will say we’re all pretty confident about identifying black mambas at this point.)
About a week before I left, I told them I would be going back to Colombia soon. We’ve spent a lot of time looking at the map, so they knew I’d have to get on a plane and cross the water. It was upsetting to them: furrowed brows, long sighs, almost-tears, “don’t go”s, and all of that stuff that does, indeed, make it hard to go.
But, the day came. “Hey, guys, I’m going back to Colombia today, so this is the last time I’ll see you for awhile.” I expected some tears, maybe even a fit. (What can I say? I’m a pretty big deal around there.)
But the 5-year-old hugged me, then he looked at me and smiled. He said, “You were here for a long time.”
Well, yes, I was.
“That was good.”
His little smile was so wise, his face full of appreciation. And with that, this kid, who just the day before had pitched the kind of fit you wouldn’t believe because he didn’t get the red cup, proved he had a handle on something I spend hours on the yoga mat to be sure I don’t forget: appreciate what is, while it is. When you do that, there’s nothing to regret.
It was good.