I'm pretty proud to admit that I ran my first half marathon last weekend and I loved it! It's interesting to ponder whether our recent move and shift in perspectives has been the catalyst to motivate me towards attempting this? Of course, there is always a re-evaluation of life that occurs alongside any sort of journey; holidays, relocation, moving house, changing jobs. I truly believe that I've hit a positive upturn in my disjointed, busy little life though.
Since moving from Dubai to Texas in July, we've become much closer as a family and we're all becoming much more of a jigsaw puzzle that fits, rather than one with broken, torn or screwed pieces.
Having joined a local running group, finding that the regular longer runs were quite enjoyable, as well as being inspired by a university best friend who ran the Great North Run AND the Yorkshire Marathon, I found myself motivated to sign up for this Houston Half Marathon 2021! Not only did it allow me to run a beautiful route through downtown with the sun on my face on the way back to the Finish Line, but in training I have also been able to chat slowly with new running colleagues, listen to stories, hear and give advice, learn how to pace myself and most importantly to breathe!
From a parent's perspective, showing your children that you can jump into your new lifestyle and location and grasp hold of all the new opportunities available to you has to be a positive. My own children have joined Cub Scouts, Triathlon team, Jazz Dance class, Chess club, Library Book Club, Healthy Kids Mile Running, soccer and I've probably forgotten others. The chance to join a team or community of any kind is really so important when you hit the ground running (excuse the pun!) after a relocation.
I've been lucky enough to have some free time (away from work since I need to wait for employment authorisation), so I've also found great comfort in establishing weekly volunteering routines myself, helping out in the school library, supervising the lunchroom and helping with the Eureka Science experiments programme. I know that the children have liked seeing me every now and again. In previous schools, I've always worked in the same building, but not often seen them ensconced in their own learning, which has been a frustration.
From a teacher's perspective, when I've found time to chat with my own students and learn of all the wonderful extra-curricular activities they are involved in and the achievements they have had in their short lifetimes, I have been warmed and over-awed by their accolades and enthusiasm for life! Those students who then went on to mention how proud they were of their parents' choices, family achievements and siblings' accomplishments have been the ones who I've looked at with proud teacher eyes. Amazing.
To finish for today, whichever stage you're at in considering or accepting an inevitable move, relocating, settling into a new location or simply feeling glad that you don't have to go anywhere at all, go slow, enjoy what you see around you and flourish.
Christina Francis-Gilbert
