I was debating whether or not to go to the school today to eat lunch with Tom. It is our only place to go to get out of the house and we try to go at least once a week. It had been over a week sense the girls and I had left the apartment BUT there have been several polar bear sightings near the village. One in particular was last night by the lagoon which is not too far from the school.
You know how every thing seems worse at night. I started to worry. I had all the scenarios running through my mind. Pregnant and with a toddler on my back and one on a sled running for our lives...or I guess backing away slowly because that is what you are supposed to do and of course I had more polar bear nightmares after going to bed. I was feeling like I would never be able to leave the apartment again and could not handle the idea. Then the sun came up and I began to feel a lot better about the situation. The sun makes everything better. It had been a more than a month since we had seen last but a few days ago it started rising again and already it is staying up for a couple of hours.
I began to think more rationally about things. The sunshine makes it a lot easier to see your surroundings so you are able to detect early on if there is danger. Also, bears don't like to come around during the day when there is a lot of noise from ATV and snow machines. Another comforting thought is that the dogs will go crazy if a bear is around and there are several homes that have dogs between here and the school. In fact the Eskimo people first started keeping dogs around for that exact reason. (They didn't use them to pull sleds until after contact.) Anyway, we decided to head over and I am so glad we did. The weather was so nice today with basically no wind so the walk over was enjoyable and fairly easy. At the school the girls had a lot of fun playing with their friends Emily and Emily. I am feeling a lot better about things after getting away from the apartment for a little while and I think I can face my apartment again. At least for the time being.
Oh, Sweet Camille!!! Hang in there. It IS amazing how much better the sun makes you feel...and I am talking about here where there is more sun than dark...I can't even imagine what it must be for you with only a couple hours of sunlight!!! I can't wait till you are back down here!!!
ReplyDeleteI know exactly what you are saying! I always think more clearly in the morning too. I also think it is important to get out of the house, just like you said. I usually find it a big hassle to get the kids dressed and out the door, but the moment I do I feel so refreshed and wonderful. It makes me wonder why I don't do it more often . . . until I think about the effort it took to get there. But definitely worth it. And I echo Sandy's sentiments that we'll be glad to have you back here with us.
ReplyDeleteI'm just so amazed by all of your adventures up there. Polar bears and no sun and all the other things. I'm sure it makes you appreciate the sun so much more. So, I suppose I'm just in that frame of mind because I'm giving a talk on Sunday, but it just struck me so forcefully the analogy between the sun and the spirit or light of the gospel and the knowledge it brings. That's the only way we can see clearly. Thanks for the post!
ReplyDeleteIt's so funny to think that you have to worry about polar bears! It's amazing everything I have learned by you having moved to such an interesting place! The morning light always changes my mood. I have to remember that when it's 2:00am and I am suddenly certain that I will get a flat tire the next day on my way to work.
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