Stop to Smell the Flowers

Gusi is learning a lot these days. He's started climbing onto chairs, sofas and just about anything he can find. He's also started comprehending a lot more vocabulary and occasionally tries to imitate words on his own. Today, however, he was the one teaching.

I've been feeling a bit anxious lately because we have a big move coming up later this summer. Gusi, PapaGus and I will all be moving to Senegal in West Africa. PapaGus accepted a job there and we will probably be posted there for four years. I'm totally thrilled but I'm also stressing about life in an unknown country. We're giving up a lot of what we know and trading it in for adventure. I keep telling myself that we'll be fine but then I find out things like disposable diapers will be expensive and hard to find as will soy milk. The process of getting there and getting adjusted is what has me tense. I'm sure we'll find substitutes for music class and soy milk; we'll find a good tailor who can make PapaGus some nice bou-bous and Gusi some cute kente cloth outfits; I'll be able to take up tennis; we'll all be fluent in French by the time we leave and Gusi will probably also learn Wolof; and we'll get to travel around Africa. Sounds exciting, right? The problem is that I'm in overdrive trying to figure out the logistics of getting us there (though we will have lots of help from PapaGus's job).

Today Gusi and I went out for a walk after we got back from the supermarket. He wanted to go see the neighbors' dogs (which weren't out) but we ended up taking a walk around the neighborhood instead. The weather was cool and the flowers were in bloom. He would sniff every flower bush we passed. Every bush, every bunch, every time. He stopped to smell the flowers and even the non-flowering plants; it seemed his favorite was a gardenia bush as he kept returning to it during our walk.

After the walk and the search for other dogs we decided to return home. Walking back home, I promised myself that if Gusi can make me stop to enjoy the simple pleasures in life then I am one very lucky woman. The move to Senegal may be stressful, but with Gusi I am sure that he will keep me focused on what counts the most: being together as a family.