Florida
Many years ago, when I was feeling that life consisted of teaching and very little else, I stumbled across a book that helped me to see things in greater perspective. The wee book is called “For You, Dear Teacher” from Eva Hoffman. One of her aims for writing the book is “to bring to your awareness the importance of your well-being and point out ways in which you can help yourself”. I found the book really helpful at the time, but what has stuck in my mind is the list that she asks you to make of your roles in life in order to show that there is more to life than just being a teacher. At that time, being Tom’s wife was my most important role in life. Now that I have lost the roles of both wife and teacher, I have to concentrate on my other roles:
- Mother
- Sister
- Sister-in-law
- Aunt
- Great-aunt (horrors!)
- Cousin
- Friend
- Church member
- Member of various groups and societies
- Secretary of one committee
- Membership secretary of another group
- Dog owner
It is the second of these listed roles that has taken me to Florida. The sunshine state is home to Big Brother, Sister-in-law (Skoonsus, in Afrikaans), two nieces and their husbands, as well as two great-nephews. Big Brother is both older and taller than me. He is the one person that has known me all my life and who has set me an example of faith, family and friendship. Distance makes it difficult to maintain a close relationship, but it is always a joy to be received with open arms and showered with love.
At home 
On the beach 
With our Dad
Florida means renewing family ties, going on sight-seeing trips and spending time in the warm sea. Having lived near the sea in South Africa, I learnt to love sea swimming. Tom also loved swimming and our annual family holiday when the children were little was always in a rented cottage by the sea. Although we have lovely beaches in Scotland, the sea is far too cold for me. One of the joys of Florida is being able to swim in the sea again.
Warm sea 
White sands 
Boisterous Atlantic coast
Big Brother, Skoonsus, Younger Niece and her husband live near St Petersburg. While Skoonsus is at work, I can spend time exploring the town with its fascinating museums and quaint galleries. My absolute favourite is the Dali museum which houses the biggest collection of his works outside of Spain. I had previously dismissed him as a self-promoting surrealist until I saw this collection of works which proves his genius. Some of the works are mind boggling, what you perceive changes depending on where you are standing. I just have to stand in awe and wonder. It makes me realise how easily one can form a judgment without seeing the real thing.
Older Niece and her family live near St Augustine, a small town with a lot of history. It was founded as a Spanish settlement in 1565 and is the second oldest continuously inhabited city of European origin in United States territory. Downtown St Augustine now consists of many reconstructed historical buildings as well as other historic buildings, such as Government House, the Castillo, Flagler College and the Lightner Museum. It has a lovely atmosphere with quaint eating places. There is a pirate ship in the harbour and when I last visited, a tall ship was also anchored there. It was a replica of the Santa Maria, one of the three Spanish ships that went on the voyage of discovery under Christopher Columbus in 1492.
Oldest house 
Old schoolhouse 
Santa Maria 
Lightner Museum
Some of the other places that Big Brother and Skoonsus have taken me to are:
Crystal River with manatees 
Ringling Museum in Sarasota 
St Michael Shrine in Tarpon Springs
Another AMAZING visit was to the Kennedy Space Centre where there is so much to see and so much to learn.
I am so grateful that my Florida family are part of my life.
The photos of you as a child – a wee Marlene looking remarkably like you, tho’ why they shouldn’t ……..
Those fat cheeks are hard to hide!!