Last week I turned 34

Last week I turned 34. I took the week off work to spend time with 2 very close members of my family, went to visit a 96 year old relative at a senior living home in Canada, was in midst of a very uncomfortable parenting experience, spent 6 hours at an airport trying to leave it but failed miserably and spent time with a family that lost the male figure of their house not so long ago.

On a lighter note, I ate my way through a yummylicious birthday cake, meals at my favourite restaurants as well as some of my favourite snacks. 'Snack time' is a thing! All in all it was an awesome week where I attempted to remain present at all times and observe life outside the office. Good thing I was on roaming charges for half of the week but I did notice how distracting my phone was when on wifi.

There are so many things I could write about from this week: how it feels to turn 34, how it was to switch off from work, getting stuck at an airport due to storms, letting loose on the healthy eating or the uncomfortable parenting situation. However, what stood out for me was the topic of family. I got the gift to spend time with my family being so far away from home as well as time with my extended family in Canada who were so welcoming.

It's funny how family often falls in the group of 'can't live with and can't live without'. We want space from our family when we are close to them or have spent long durations of time with them but when we don't have them we miss them. Having lived away from home many times and for long amounts of time I am currently landing in the camp of 'I can't live without them'.

One of the biggest reasons me and my fiancé are planning an exit back to the UK is to be closer to my family. I've always grown up around family, lots of them. As crazy as they are, I want to be somewhere I can support them and vice versa. I want to be there for when they grow old, for when their kids grow up and I want our kids to have the same thing. It's been a tough decision with all the considerations for us, my fiancé's family and the sacrifices we will have to make to do this. I feel selfish for choosing my family and not his but the reality is, someone has to give in with the multi-continent relationship we have and he was loving enough to do so on this particular one.

It was so nice to spend time with my mum and sister this week and really catch up on how they are as well as others at home. Not only that but the family we visited in Canada is very close to mum. They had so many stories about their lives growing up in Africa - I am so lucky to be part of this family's generation to have been given everything we need on a plate that not many people get.

As for the people the family I spent time with who have lost someone very dear to them not so long ago and also have others close them them who are currently unwell, it was inspiring to see how they are coping with it. It reminded me to be thankful for my family. It reminded me to be grateful that I have a fully functioning body and mind and I should use it to it's full potential. It reminded me to stop and think about what is important to me, how short life could be and what I would like to be remembered for. Is it going to be that presentation I did on how we can minimise meetings and emails at work? or that project I delivered on time and budget?

No - it's going to be my attitude, my behaviours, my love and compassion for others.

Ironically someone said to me last week that they've seen me grow the most when I've been away from home, however, the decision to move back feels right at this stage for us and I think all this adventuring within will help me stay grounded.