Kiora, from the Land of the Long white clouds! There is something to be said when you are sitting at an airport during New Year’s Eve catching another flight to see family.  

Flying back to a place where you used to live four years ago when things seemed the same yet different.  I remember things differently, and I cherish those memories of being a new mother and having to do most of the work on my own. Boarding a flight with a five-year-old today is so different from traveling with an eight-month-old baby.   

It is so much lighter and less worry.   No pram, no car seat, no baby formula, no full luggage of nappies, no extra carrier, and free hands to hold my coffee.  Now, my kid and I can enjoy coffee, breakfast and our activities before we board.  I do not have to entertain the baby or strap her on me because I’ve traveled by myself with a baby many times in the last five years.  

I traveled with my nieces without their parents many times before that.  I was the aunt who accompanied the minors on many flights.  I developed a lot of patience during those years and answering 50-100 questions on any given flight is now a norm.

This time of my life I get to enjoy more time with my kid.

At this time of my life, I am no longer a single wife, I wish to be a single mother.

At this time of my life, there are more open doors and opportunities to do better.

At this time of our lives, we have eyes and ears who follow us everywhere with more comprehension.

At this time of our lives, we know and understand a whole lot more than five years ago.

This time of our lives, we get to appreciate the now and not before or the next.

While we wait for 2024, I am reminded of this: 

“During a hurricane, a palm tree will bend to withstand the storm.  When the storm passes, it will rise back up until it is standing tall again”. The palm tree is the epitome of resilience.   Each of us can withstand the storms.   We are made to be resilient.

Nothing lasts forever, the good times, the bad times, the in-between.  Everything has its own time and everything that is in the dark will be revealed in due time.  Do not fret and fight too much against the unknown, deal with the hand you’ve been given and make the most of it. 

Not many people love seeking and knowing the truth especially if they avoid feeling uncomfortable.  We must be accountable for every choice we make. So, while we enjoy another peaceful Sunday, remember to be flexible like the palm tree.  Happy New Year Samoa! 

Enid Westerlund is a regular columnist for this newspaper. She is an aviation specialist, business consultant, author and loves teaching children to read on the weekend.