avatarMartin van Soest

Summary

The author reflects on the profound joy and intensity of family bonding experienced during summer vacations, emphasizing that the essence of a holiday lies not in the destination but in the quality of time spent together.

Abstract

The author shares a personal account of the fulfillment found in spending summer holidays with family, highlighting that the joy derived from these times transcends the importance of location, weather, or activities. The narrative underscores the contrast between the undivided attention and togetherness during vacations and the routine coexistence at home. Despite occasional needs for personal space, the author ponders the significance of a change of scenery in enhancing family togetherness and questions the necessity of a special location to feel the essence of a holiday. The piece concludes with a mention of the author's response to a writing prompt and a self-promotion of a Chrome extension designed to improve the Medium experience.

Opinions

  • The author values the quality time spent with family during holidays over the actual vacation destination or activities.
  • Family holidays provide an opportunity for more intense and uninterrupted bonding compared to daily life at home.
  • The author acknowledges the need for occasional breaks from the constant attention required by children, indicating the importance of personal time for parents.
  • A simple change of environment is seen as capable of significantly enhancing the experience of togetherness.
  • The author challenges the idea that one needs to be in a specific location to capture the essence of a holiday, suggesting that the feeling can be replicated at home.
  • The author expresses gratitude for the writing prompts provided by Diana in the KTHT community, which inspire them to write even during family time.
  • The author promotes their own Chrome extension as a tool to enhance the user experience on Medium, indicating a belief in its utility for others.

Tanka

Escape to Paradise

It’s true what they say about the journey and the destination

Photo by Kong Jun on Unsplash

the love we share

in our summer holidays

is much greater than

the location and weather

in our short time together

My summer holiday has begun. I just got back from vacation and maybe I should finish the drafts I started about what I experienced in my vacation. I was, however, faced with having to spend time with my family.

And what a great experience that has been. Again. Each holiday, I am so thankful for the pure joy I get from being with my wife and kids all day long. It’s got nothing to do with where we are. Or with what we do. Or the great weather we’re having. It’s more than that.

Our time together in our little escapes is somehow more intense than when we’re at home. No interruption or disruptions from school or work. We can enjoy each other's company 24/7.

Don’t get me wrong. Sometimes I do want to escape from the kids’ persistent and continuous cry for attention. Both me and my wife take short walks or decide to go out shopping alone every now and then. Our battery isn’t nearly as overflowing as those of sub-ten-year-olds.

We got home today, and we don’t have work or school. Yet, things will not be the same as when we were at our rented home. The absence of a swimming pool or any other facilities has nothing to do with it. When we are on a holiday we choose to spend the day together. When we are at home, we happen to live together. There’s a difference.

I don’t think I need to elaborate on that point. You probably get it. It does make me wonder how a simple change of scenery can make such a huge difference in how we experience our togetherness. And also, whether it should be different? It’s something I plan to talk about tomorrow morning at breakfast. What is the worst that can happen if we choose to be on holiday if we’re at home?

This is my response to Monday’s Tropical Prompt in KTHT. It’s funny. During my holiday, with my family, I didn’t feel like writing. I am happy with the great prompts Diana creates for us. I positively jumped at the opportunity to respond. I wonder how I feel about that after breakfast.

Oh, to be explicit about the prompt: I don’t need a special location as a safe haven. It’s right here. In the hearts of my family.

If you don’t mind my shameless self-promotion, consider checking out the Chrome-extension I have written to make your life on Medium better:

Enjoy your summer!

Tanka
Poetry
This Happened To Me
Life
Travel
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