As of the end of 2022, we’ve lived in our house for 7.5 years. Never in our adult lives have we lived anywhere this long — nor did we imagine we would, or that if we did, it would be here. The winters are bitter cold, the summers too short, and the scenery relatively bland. But as we reflect on where God has placed us for this season, we realize how lucky we are.
Whether you believe the current economic client is a result of government over-spending, a whiplash effect from the world re-opening, or (more likely) some combination of factors, seems to be based on your political leanings. Whatever the cause, this is objectively a tough time to be raising three kids — first a pandemic, then sky-rocketing inflation. That we are in a comfortable home, whose value has increased; that I have a stable job that provides a steady salary; that we have been able to travel and show the kids at least a little of the world; that their needs are met, and our household repairs aren’t the catastrophic kind (so far); that we are surrounded by a community of generally good and kind people, all of whom managed to navigate the insanity of the past couple years with most of their goodwill intact; and that our community includes people of faith that prioritize loving Jesus and loving others… for all of these reasons, and more, we ended 2022 grateful for where we find ourselves: in a home base that affords us the freedom to explore from here.
At the beginning of the year, the apparent receding of Covid-19 was far from a sure thing. While we all hoped it would continue to become just another background threat we learn to live with, no one knew for sure what new mutations were coming next. So we determined to seize the opportunity to get back out there.
In March, Abi got a birthday trip to visit an old friend (also her first babysitter) in Boston. In April, I made it out to Calgary to visit my siblings, and help my brother move into their new home. And in May, I finally got to Barcelona. Being back in an airplane was weird, and maybe a little nerve-wracking at first; clearly the air travel industry is worse for its pandemic experience. But it felt great to be back out there — and the smaller trips gave way to experiences we’d been dreaming about since before the pandemic.
Of course, our trip to Europe was the highlight of the year. The kids did so amazing, adjusting to jet lag, trying new foods, and experiencing new things. I had the privilege of international travel as a youngster, and I don’t remember being half as resilient or adventurous as our kids are. And seeing things through their eyes was like being a kid again. Of course it helped to have grandparents as tour guides that spoiled them with ice cream and theater tickets for half the journey!
But travels closer to home were special too. Family Camp with our friends — whose little ones aren’t as little as when we first started — remains a wonderful tradition. And a summer trip to Canada was much easier as restrictions lifted. With each visit home I’m increasingly grateful for the safe and stable place we grew up in — one which allowed me to survive my childhood and adolescence, and gave Nicole and I our first home base to launch from. The little piece of country paradise that is Nana and Papa’s house represents pure happiness and love for our kids.
We also got the privilege of entertaining in our neck of the woods, with Canadian family finally able to travel across the border easily. And in the fall, we got to skip school and re-connect with dear friends from Seattle as they were in the process of moving cross-country.
The close of this year also moves us inexorably closer to the time when our kids launch themselves out into the world. Their independence grows daily.
Ben started driving this year, and took to it like a fish in the water (driving Papa’s go-karts may have helped — or may have made it worse!) He has a few steps to go before the State lets him drive on his own, but he’s got his sights set on a job, and is already making plans for the computer he wants to build once he starts bringing in a pay check.
It’ll be a bit longer before Abi is taking off in the car, but as long as she can find a ride, she’s up for almost anything. Her social circle was very active in planning get-togethers over the holidays, and her academic diligence gives her freedom to explore multiple extra-curricular activities — mostly of the athletic variety.
And Eli was delighted to welcome a new friend into the neighborhood, and the girls on the street are often off on adventures in almost any weather, appearing randomly in our house for snacks, before flitting off again. Eli’s also in multiple extra-curriculars, although her interests lean more towards the arts. Holiday concert season had us in the school gym more times than I could count.
So the kids are earning new freedoms — and giving their parent’s new ones! In fact, I think if there was a theme for 2022, it was freedom. Freedom to explore the world and be in it again, but also the relative freedom of contentment. Knowing that we are safely held in our Father’s arms, placed where He intended us to be right now, so we can share generously with those He loves, and those He has given us to love.
