Next week marks two years in Scotland for the Carroll family. It’s been a time of ups and downs and many changes in lifestyle while we have been here. The family is really settling in well and Aberdeen has become home (at least for now). When we left our boys were little ages 5, 7, and 9. Now our oldest is a preteen in Academy! Life definitely moves at light speed.
As I look back on our time here some things stick into my mind. One thing in particular was how our household continued to grow. Not with more babies, like a lot of my friends here taking advantage of the cold weather and free health care. Instead we acquired an addition a bit more hairy than his brothers, our dog Prince.
He is an unusual beast that has enriched our lives in several ways. In order to go anywhere for a longer period of time we are required to run him ragged at the forest next to our house in order that he will not tear the place apart while we are gone. He loves sticks and will chase them most of the time, when he is not overly distracted by any sort of smell wafting through the air or embedded in the ground. He is loyal and relaxed enough to handle the most rambunctious of boys which (without a doubt) my children are.
Today I experienced one of those dad moments. You know the kind, where everything seems to fit. Everyone is happy and laughing just at the right moment; a time where peace and joy combine and, even if only for a brief moment, everything is right in the world.
In preparation for the long trek downtown to the Central Library the boys and I took Prince to the forest and played a game that has started to become one of our regulars. I stand on one end of the forest and hold Prince while the boys run down to the other end and hide among the trees and ivy. After giving them ample time, I let Prince go and he bolts down the way at full sprint then endeavors to search them out. If he “finds” them they race back to me and try to tag me/jump on me before Prince make his meandering way back.
Today I watched the boys running and the dog chasing them. Everyone was yelling and laughing, having a great time. As I write this I feel like I am half obliged to round of my story by making this some kind of spiritual anecdote. But I think this time I will resist the urge and revel in the memory of that moment.
In the coming week I hope to blog more about our time here. Not everything has been as peaceful as the above story. There have been some painful and frustrating moments. If you would like to know more our family blog can be found at CarrollClaninScotland.wordpress.com
Leave a Reply