Step one
We had real winter for a week in Holland. That was amazing with some white snow and bright sun. We lived here almost 7 years and never experienced this long cold period in Amsterdam. People got totally crazy about the wintery outdoor possibilities and were making the most out of it. For about 3 days it was possible to skate on some canals or the low water areas at the parks. This was such a refreshing surprise in this normally grey season. People got something else to think about than the pandemic.
Step two
As fast as the cold days came, so did the warm days. A big temperature rise and a strong spurt of growth took place. The flowers everywhere, the trees raising their arms up like being thankful for this takeover. And so am I. My favorite season is there and this is the best injection of joy I can imagine. Let's open the gate for this spring.
Step three
We rented a small cabin (Natuurhuisje) for the one week winter holiday in the end of February. The location was in the east of Holland near the river Vaal and the town Dalfsen. Our green, wooden house was in a little forest with some other houses nearby. You can't easily find the same feeling of privacy in the Netherlands as I am used to in Finland. The forest areas are quite small and there is often some camping areas nearby. I am not a fan of "holiday parks" they have here. My idea of my own space is bigger than many people are used to in Holland. Having a forest walk here means that you are following a bigger sand road and admire the surrounding from that point and for me it means you step in the forest and walk on a soft, uneven ground and might get lost if you don't pay attention.
The Nature is more fragile in Holland. Much more people living in a small country, every green area is extra valuable for the animals and for the people. I appreciate every tree that is growing on my street in Amsterdam, but the real calming effect I only get in a forest.
Our holiday was welcome and we had nice walks everyday and the singing birds woke us up early in the morning. It was a simple change we needed at the moment. Different views, different thoughts and a change of routine for a week. It was peaceful time just for us as a family.
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| How long this walk will be? :) |
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| The river Vaal. |
Luckily we also have some new perspective. The spring is coming and there is more shades, more colors and textures to see and we enjoy the warmth during the sunny days. The high schools opened their doors for smaller groups and the children are going to school minimum once a week. Every school has their own way to handle the group sizes and the weekly agenda. My kids are happy to go to school again some days. It is more motivating to see the friends and the teachers in real, face to face and be part of the group in a "real class room", do the tests in a familiar way on a paper instead of stressful ways with extra pressure in the internet. I hope the older students can soon go to physical lessons as well. It is worrying that the drugs use is increased among the young people during the corona time. Luckily this older age group can now join the sport trainings outdoors.
The mental health is so important to take care of these days. It is important to stay in contact and have even a small chat with people. I've noticed that the teenagers talk more when you go for a walk with them. It is great to listen to all their plans and how they see the world.
We are still having a partly lock down in Holland. Day by day we go forwards and towards the near future. Maybe the idea of freedom will be different after this global crisis. We might notice that the freedom starts first from our own small choices and that we have to accept some changes always come. We can't see the results, the all effects and the end of this period yet. The feeling of safety is connected to the freedom of making our individual choices. In reality it is also connected to the economical situation, health and the rules we have to follow. The choices and the priorities can be adjusted when needed. But there is a limit: a personal one, for different groups/units and for every society/country.
Spreading hope, a little bit of attention and smiles can help and it's valuable. Being realistic doesn't have to mean putting the fear and the worse scenarios on top of our mind. We can have influence on some things, but many things we just have to accept for now, for a little bit longer.
With patience, love and going forward...step by step!
Giving some space for the spring and the changes there is and always will be.
