Alas, one of the many moments that I am sure we'll face as some of the players in our world scrutinize our parenting choices, has arrived. We are going to Mexico with Solomon. A family vacation to conclude three months of maternity leave, since I will not see a single free moment until the holidays in December. I want to relax a bit and give Solomon my undivided attention, without the burden of doing laundry, washing dishes, cooking cleaning and doing all of the many things that we must still do, in addition to caring for him.
We are out! To sit by the sea, and listen to the waves, and eat good food, and lounge! I need sun light and water asap! The joy of bringing a perfect, precious being into the world, does not necessarily mean adequate rest, fresh air, or sun light-- even in summer. Recovering from a C-section has made my transition into motherhood, and back to my self (albeit a new self) that much more challenging, so we are out!
I can't bear the thought of going back to work without having at least two weeks of changed scenery and aire distinto. Word.
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Bueno, nos fuimos, and we all survived. Mexico was just what I needed and Solomon was the perfect travel companion. Truly. He's a little angel. He didn't cry on the plane- even when we took off and landed. He made friends with just about everyone at the resort, and adapted as well as any adult. No mishaps. No travel bugs. No drama.
Ultimately, this experience has simply proven that he will grow and adapt to the circumstances he is placed in. It is his nature.... or maybe it's human nature.
There is no manual for child rearing, and while we should of course take reasonable precautions and always put his health and safety first, we should not limit his experience based on the fact that he is a "baby". He is a person and will grow and learn wherever he is in the world. He is also a spirit with this own destiny, blessings, and grace. He will walk many paths- first with, and then without us- and he will collect memories and lessons along all of them. That is one of the greatest blessings that God gives us, and he will have it as well. Traveling is one of the tools we have to collect these lessons.
David and I learned about our differing parenting philosophies, and how Solomon's needs sometimes differ from what we think he needs. We also learned to let go of our fears and focus on what's good in the world, and building our strength to survive what isn't. Solomon spent the last days of his third month communing with Yemaya and Ixchel on the beach. He had his first bubble bath (with organic, baby friendly bubbles of course) with mom, and made friends with a World Cup champion.
David and I joined the global tribe of parents, making friends just about everywhere we went, as parents and grandparents of all ages inquired about Solomon, celebrated his wide smile, and helped us navigate through our days with baby in tow. We survived a tropical storm but we also released a baby sea turtle into his natural habitat. We sent little Farai off with a prayer for a long, fruitful life, and absorbed the cheers and laughter of all of the children who released their turtles, one by one, into the sea. I held Farai (the baby turtle) on Solomon and Khalid's behalf, and sent him off with a blessing for his survival and a prayer for my son, and all of us.
May Solomon's life be marked by as much love and protection as this day was for the 60 plus turtles which were released by children from all over the world, on the shores of Puerto Morelos. May Ixchel bless the turtles and the children, from her shrine just across the coral reef. May all of our lives be rich and fruitful, like the countless Mayan women who sung on these shores in honor of Ixchel hundreds of years ago. May all of our people be free, and our Earth protected from our vices and errors.
Amazing how one small act can fill you up.
The spirit of all of the children's acts of liberation- releasing their baby turtles lovingly into their true habitat, and wishing for their survival- that will mark Solomon's first trip abroad. The fresh energy of all of the newly born turtles and of the day will remind us that each day is a gift, and an act of love.
