As you all know, last week I was in Haiti for the entire week. That week changed my life – literally. I cannot look at the world the same. Things I thought were one way have now shifted. It’s been this intense time of readjustment and trying to find normal and in the midst of it all being very blessed to have a week at the lake with my family.
I’ve gone to the lake since I was eight years old.
So, when my Haiti trip, which I only planned for four weeks in advance was scheduled right before the lake my concern was getting everything ready.
I cannot believe how over complicated I made coming up here before.
We don’t really need much – even though it looks like a ton there. Some clothes, swimsuits, towels, and a deck of cards. And some gluten free food for Samuel and me. But when I look at all the stuff my family brings to the lake I am humbled.
It is so much stuff.
More stuff for a week at the lake than many people in Haiti even have.
When I was in Haiti a sweet girl braided cornrows in my hair. She worked and worked and worked (I have a great deal of hair). When she was finished she started to put in my aqua lace headband that I purchased at Claire’s for $2.98. I stopped her and handed it to her and pointed to me and then to her.
She was so grateful for that headband (you can see it barely in her hand).
She put it in her hair and her friends smiled and clapped. Then she put it on her wrist and held my hand the entire walk back to the car. And when I said goodbye to her later that day she waved and held up her wrist with the headband. So simple.
But so powerful.
I probably have seven headbands packed in those bags.
Perspective.
The perspective that I gained about a vacation that used to stress me out for weeks prior because of packing extra blessed stuff? You know what? It’s not really about the stuff. It’s the time together. Fellowship. Playing. Sitting on the dock and watching the sunset. Those things.
Not physically bought things.
Haiti taught me to see the world differently.
It taught me to slow down. To stress less. To look the cashier in the eye. To say hello to others. To give of time. To listen more. To be patient. To be grateful. To be joyful. To not think of myself first. To let go of complaining. To love. To be bold. To think how I can give. To rejoice. To mourn. To embrace the little things.
Haiti gave me perspective.
And that perspective has forever changed me.
Blessed real perspective.