Expat grandparents cherish visits from their grandkids, bonding through love and laughter.
Though they become accustomed to missing birthdays, school events, babysitting, visits, and affection, these visits create lasting memories.
During a recent visit from our one-year-old and two-year-old grandkids, we ensured the house met their needs by installing stair gates, removed reachable, colourful and sharp objects and repositioned furniture to create a safe play space.
It is wonderful to share our home and cultural way of life with them. Being of mixed ethnicity, British-Caribbean and to experience their Caribbean heritage. Watching their wide eyes on their first morning as they take in the sights of the scenic landscape, a cornucopia of green during the rainy season. Their awe as they point at the abundant birdlife landing on nearby tree branches or soaring high in the sky. From the national bird, the Cocorico, Parrots and the feral chickens on the lawn as they make their daily walkabout in the garden, to the local scampering ‘Painted Salamander’ lizards. Also, the panoramic views of the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean.
They seem to naturally acclimatise to the humid Caribbean climate without undue fuss, though sometimes they become flushed pink, which is adorable. They also relished the culinary delights of Caribbean food, but when cooking at home, kept the spicy quotient low, equally enjoying the fruits, the juicier the better, as they savoured watermelon.
The days were spent introducing them to our favourite places, eateries, and beaches, with the beach clearly being the best. From being initially timid, it was fantastic to see their transformation into blissfully frolicking in the sea. The sheer joy obvious from their beaming smiles and laughter as they kick and splash about, not wanting to get out. Likewise, playing in the sand with the colourful assorted beach toys, seemingly taking sheer pleasure in getting covered in sand.
Fond memory moments include introducing them to collect sea glass on the shore as we strolled, eyes peeled. Finding green ones seems like a preferred colour. Additionally, planting prepared seedlings in the garden and reading bedtime stories, which culminate in bedtime cuddles and kisses.
These heart-warming visits are the joys of family time and love. You cherish the moments spent with them, noting their development since the last meeting. Their growth in height and escalating vocabulary. They certainly helped me connect with my inner child, playing and thinking like one, as we chased each other around the house. This provided a healthy dose of exercise, as I hadn’t run in a long time.
Playing hide and seek was such fun, with me squealing like a child, dancing with abandon, jumping up and down, hands flung in the air, and spinning with no style whatsoever some evenings.
Or the two-year-old standing on a chair to help with breakfast preparations (I have an adorable video of this). Making strawberry Popsicles was an equally fun, bonding experience. Oh, the spontaneity of childhood. But more importantly, the experience is one of mutual learning and teaching.
When they leave, it’s bittersweet. You miss the sounds; the house is no longer full of laughter, little feet running through it, or the usual child noises of play. Later, you find an odd puzzle piece or a colouring book in unusual places and happily reminisce.
We will meet again on another holiday, when we become the visitors.
Also see EX-PAT LIFE IN TOBAGO
