We have recently experienced Three Kings Day here. The children here have their gifts delivered to them by the three wise men while they sleep and they open them on the 6th January. The night before they have a big parade (which happened to be down our street, right outside our front door, very useful). The kids all bring a bag and people in the parade throw sweets and toys to them. There is a fun, festive atmosphere and my kids loved it. Although they loved it, and enjoyed the parade we did not embrace this tradition. We still had our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day as we would have back in Wales. The three wise men did not visit our home with gifts on the the 6th. I think some changes need to be done slowly, or not embraced at all.
I finally finished reading The Life of Pi by Yann Martel and the character Pi discusses change as his family plan to emigrate to Canada. He asks the question why would we do this? Force ourselves into the discomfort of change? Because we believe it will take us to a better life. We will benefit from it.
So we sat in family home evening and I asked each of the children to say one benefit of moving to Spain. It was not easy for all of them as some of the kids are finding this move very difficult. But in the end each one came up with something. The benefits already have been huge and we have only been here a few months. So although our family have invited enough change that would take a lifetime to get used to. We are enjoying some of the benefits now. Sigh.
