A last minute opportunity was presented to me last week, when my daughter suggested to me I join her on the Gold Coast.
As usual all the reasons why I shouldn’t or couldn’t presented themselves – work, visiting my mum, chores, money, time………then a light bulb moment – aren’t these all reasons why I SHOULD go! My wellbeing needed a bit of a boost.
So after lots of last minute juggling, I waved my husband goodbye at the airport and was so relieved to fall into my seat on the plane!
We both arrived at the hotel within minutes of each other, eagerly competing for the ‘person most exhausted.’ Even though I was certain I was, I strategically allowed Amelia to win, knowing we had 4 days ahead together.
After sipping on a cup of tea, we changed into our comfy clothes and headed out for a walk along the beach. Aaahhh… that first step onto the sand in bare feet after being in winter boots for weeks. For the most part we walked in silence, happy not to talk and just enjoy being together.
Over the next few days, we rose early and headed out for our walk, before sitting down to a scrumptious platter of tropical fruits for breakfast. By the third morning we were so surprised how far we had walked, and how much we had talked! It was such a beautiful time of bonding and sharing – priceless in a relationship between mother and daughter.
One of our rules (actually my rule and she has to follow) is no mobile phones while we are walking. Which was some feat to begin with; as I was positive her iPhone was surgically attached to her hand!
I have even taken the courageous step of disallowing (it doesn’t sound as dictatorial as ‘banned?’) mobiles on our Walky Talky group walks. Even if we’re not talking, the silence is precious.