Travel Quickening

When anxiety kicks in for various professionals, there are many techniques used in order to process the stress. Some do some deep breathing while counting backward; some exercise and "power up" for the coming performance or excitement; some vomit. Others, like myself, do. I don't just take a few deep breaths and know everything will be okay. I don't add caffeine to my diet (I have enough on a regular day) or increase my physical workload to compensate for my natural increase in adrenaline. What I tend to do is write lists upon lists of what needs to be done, and do them. Over, and over, and over again until I am sure everything is ready. I pace myself, as I have learned that getting "powered up" makes me forget, and deep breathing makes me sleep through my preparation time.

My daughter on the other hand, keeps herself busy with people. Her favorite thing to do is to socialize with friends and family, and neighbors she hardly sees. She likes to watch the kids in the park and eventually ask to play too. She takes her time, but loves to get involved, and generally stops many of her slower activities she regularly loves such as reading and playing chess. People who are closest to her become the most important thing on her plate: because she knows even at seven years old that those days to visit them pass, and physical distance becomes a pall for the coming season.

Together we have two weeks to prepare for the coming departure to a new, temporary home already set up for us, waiting with eager anticipation for the new occupants who will relish each chilly seaside moment, confused bus ride into the city, and accent translation mishaps.