Two weeks ago, florists were very busy indeed stocking
up and selling flowers. According to a survey by the National Retail Federation
in the United States last year, 36% of Americans bought flowers for Valentine’s
Day, spending a total of USD1.9 billion. Men usually buy flowers, especially
roses, for romantic reasons on Valentine’s Day and women also use this occasion
to show their care to their sweethearts, parents and good friends.
We went to Reykjavik, Iceland recently and I would sum up the
whole Icelandic experience as one of love.
The stunning landscape is something else. Although harsh and at times
unforgiving I cannot help but marvel at the geysers, the shift in tectonic
plates, the thundering icy waterfall and the postcard perfect city. I would
certainly vouch for such a trip to be on one’s bucket list. Since it was winter
there were only four hours of sunlight daily. In contrast, summer would see 22
– 24 hours of sunlight. Would I go there again? Yes.
There are so many attributes of love and I will try to list down some
from my observations of the trip.
Love
does not seek its own. It is generous.
This trip was made possible because my daughter Sonya bought the package
for her parents and her siblings. I have not considered Iceland in my travels
thus far for the simple reason that the prices of most things are exorbitant
over there. It is not surprising that quite a number of people living in
Reykjavik hold two jobs. Our tour guide for example, holds a Bachelor of Science
degree in Fisheries and works with the Department of Fisheries during the day
and moonlights as a tour guide by night. If a regular burger costs around
30euro in Reykjavik, I cannot imagine how much the airfare, deluxe
accommodation and tour expeditions would have cost my daughter. The icing on
the cake was my son Samuel flying over to join us. Any mother would understand
what having the whole brood with you feels like. Complete.
Love is kind.
As eating out was pretty expensive, my other daughter Audrey took to
cooking most of the delicious meals. It is a delight to just sit back and watch
another person cook for you and wash up as well. It was a 'real' holiday as the
parent did not have to plan or execute the plan. Pure relaxation of the mind
and body - a good rest indeed. When I saw her preparing sandwiches, I noticed
that she gave others the fresh slices of bread while she ate the crusty ends.
Just like how a parent would give the drumstick to the child and eat the less
popular parts herself.
Love is responsible.
As the ground was icy and the snow thick in various places, the children
constantly cautioned us to tread slowly and be careful lest we fall. The last
time I fell, it took me more than 6 months for my ankle to recover. I saw them skipping and prancing on the icy
ground. Such is the advantage of youth.
Love is mindful over little things.
In this age of disposables and living off the State or worse still the
parents, some young people do not know the meaning of 'waste not'. It was
indeed a delight to see the next generation being careful with their money and
living within their means and not easily persuaded by advertisements to buy
things they do not need.
Indeed I see this as one of the rewards of authoritative parenting. I wonder how much is taught and how
much is caught – a good balance of both I think, although some may call authoritative
parenting old school. This is a style characterized by reasonable demands and
high responsiveness. While authoritative parents
might have high expectations for their children, these parents also give their
kids the resources and support they need to succeed. It is the teaching of boundaries,
discipline, humility, selflessness and tough love. My parents brought me up on this
formula, and I have done the same with mine and it still works even when the
world gravitates towards liberal parenting.
Love is appreciative.
Polar bears visit Iceland either on
an iceberg that melted or by swimming all the way from Greenland. Although highly
controversial, it is national policy to kill polar bears on sight as they are inevitably
hungry after their sea voyage, and a danger to residents and livestock.
The beloved compares himself to the polar bear that has drifted into my
circumstance and has not been rejected. He says, ' who else would have me?'
I thought that is very sweet indeed.
THIS ARTICLE WAS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE NEW STRAITS TIMES MALAYSIA, 26 FEBRUARY 2017 http://www.nst.com.my/news/2017/02/215418/iceland-holiday-was-icing-cake
