I invited my sister and her family to visit us, an offer she accepted with an abruptness (the details of which I will omit except to say, not only does the woman not listen, she has issues with reading comprehension as well) that had me scrambling in preparation for two solid days. I suspect many frequently find day to day activities requiring fortitude, but having had the privilege of living in the U.S. albeit on island time, the rush of preparations was equally annoying, stressful and invigorating of which I am not complaining but clarifying.
I pressured myself to find new or different activities to merge with the old favorite activities to keep the trip from feeling like a recycled broken record of their previous visit. We’ve resided here long enough to fall into habits and comfort zones that stifle the search for new experiences, but such is the downfall of integrating into local culture. I don’t want to sound like a marketing campaign for the greater Chatt area so suffice it say, we spent time at a touristy venue, as well as less trendy adventures like the empty lot on the brow to see the groundhog family living in a gutted swimming pool, the plant nursery where the barn swallows nest and the watergarden store that has the most awesome koi pond. E.V.E.R. And yes, I am including the aquarium.
Hosting my family warps the natural momentum of our home. Think compare and contrast NOT whine. They are vibrant, loud, competitive, interruptive, intelligent, witty and emotionally demanding. Our house is quieter, passive aggressive and laid back (and probably emotionally demanding in an entirely different way). Not the best combined ingredients for a delicate pastry, but perfect for a cocktail that awakens you with a premature hangover headache at 3AM.
I enjoy spending time with them, but the stress often equals the joy. Aside from introverts, I think stay at home, or mostly at home moms understand it best. The nature of their position requires they be turned on and tuned in more than is required by those of us who lead largely solitary lives. I appreciated the roll of primary caregiver but more so after three days of not peeing alone.
If it were me, and I knew I was having guests six months in advance, there still would be a two day rush to the finish line. Mostly because I think fresh linens and groceries are the biggest part of having people in, and you can’t really do that ahead of time.
It sounds like you offered the perfect blend of activities. In hindsight, I often think that we didn’t offer enough of a glimpse into our real lives, the places and things we actually do, for the visitors. But with that, I’m assuming that they really want to KNOW US, not just have a place to sleep.
A good argument for having your family nearby. They can visit for a short time, AND THEN GO HOME. I think days of enforced togetherness tests almost any family bond, unless ll can agree to some down time where doing nothing is okay.
Cute groundhog!
de, there will always be the last minute rush. I think it depends on the person as to how much they really want to know about your daily life. Some are more comfortable with their memory of who you were rather than how you have changed.
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meno, that’s an excellent point, but this way a get a three day dose, once every two years…which isn’t all bad.