May was an unusually busy month for me. Between exams, the blog and my everyday life I felt the pressure. Some days I cant stop working, I can move from one project to the next and not even notice it but some days I do not even want to do anything but sit, eat and sleep. More than anything else it reminded me how my life would be easier if I were in Zimbabwe.
Whenever I tell people I live in Bermuda, most get excited about it. I think most people think of Bermuda as a tourist place only where everything is laid back and people spend a lot of time at the beach. To be fair, our life here is laid back and we do go to the beach on a whim. Life does go on like everywhere else, the views make it better though but we have the same worries and problems like everyone else. Even more so when you are an expat because the things I miss the most money cannot buy.
In April, Leo got sick. He was fine one day and then the next everything escalated quickly and he had to be hospitalised. It was so scary and difficult to see him like that. Afterwards I explained to my mother-in-law what had happened. She was grateful that Leo had been sick while we were in Bermuda as compared to the service you usually get in Zimbabwe. While its true that the health care system in Zimbabwe is in shambles I would have preferred to have my mother-in-law or my mother with me that night. I do not know if it would help but it is what I would have wanted.
Sometimes when people get sick and are faraway from you, they do not tell you because they know you will worry. You find yourself doing the same thing too, when you get sick you are afraid if you call your parents in Zimbabwe you will worry them and they can not help you. It can get really lonely too. In Zimbabwe there are always people living with you and you know your neighbours which is different from Bermuda. Before I had Leo (junior), there were days that the only other person I would talk to was Leo (senior) when he came back from work. If it was the busy season at work then it would be even worse.
Money can get you nice roads, wi-fi or petrol when you need it but it can never replace your family and friends or peace of mind. I do not complain about the life we live but we have made sacrifices. Sometimes I feel like I can live with those sacrifices but some days like today, not so much. I thank God for the internet which helps me connect with my family daily and continue to countdown the days to when I will visit my family.