“the only way to make sense out of change is to
plunge into it,
move with it
and join the dance.”
– alan watts

This week makes the start of new change for my family. Put simply, we are moving back to Australia. Today, the removal company arrives to pack everything. The suitcases are bulging, and  we soon move into a hotel while they wrap and box up all our belongings. It is a moment mixed with excitement and sadness. There is a buzz of anxiety in our house, and many emotions flow freely. Tears. Laughter. Joy. Sadness. Love.

We have lived in Brazil for 5 years. It has changed us as a family and who we are as individuals. We have made many friends, learned a new language, and now see the world from a different perspective. Living in another country is different to just visiting for a holiday. The holiday ends after the first few weeks, when you realise that daily life is inevitable. It still involves school, shopping, appointments, and in our case all spoken a language we could not understand. You do not know what brand of peanut butter to buy. You do not know the words to say that your child has an ear infection and need antibiotics. You nod and say yes, hoping that is the right response to the question you did not understand. You feel as if you dropped into a different world. The invisible strings of your normal life disappear. You are free floating. At the same time, you see beautiful places and pinch yourself that this is not a dream. You try new foods that become your daily food choice. You see that your way of living is not the only way and become more compassionate. You learn to hug and kiss, and express emotion. This combination of joy and pain has changed us. We are different people, and we are a different family.

Yes, we loved our experience here. Yes, I would do it again. Honestly, I would do it all again. We have heard the roar of water as it falls at Iguacu Falls. We have tickled the feet of the statue of Christ in Rio. We have learnt to stand in lines. We have felt the drum beat in our chest as the Carnival parade went past us in Rio. We used our hands and miming when we did not know the words to communicate.  We have walked the cobbled streets in Ouro Preto, and the swamps in the Pantanal. We have learned to say hello and goodbye to many wonderful friends. We have played on the beaches in Bahia as the breeze swayed in the palm trees. We have learned that looking like a fool when you say something completely wrong is ok. Yes, it is embarrassing, but you learn from those mistakes. We have learned to hug and show our love. We have learned to hold on to what is important to us as we embrace a new culture. We have learned that bad days come and go. We have learned that no country is perfect, and focusing on the positives is easier than dwelling on the negatives.

We are closer as a family because of this. We did it together.

After 5 years, we know which peanut butter to buy, what to say to the doctor, and we have our routine. We have our favourite places, and for my youngest daughter this is home. She was a baby when we arrived, and many of her “firsts” have happened here. She asked me if we could take photos of her favourite places. This was before she knew we were leaving. I agreed. These are our everyday places and she was the director. These are her loves, and what she finds beautiful.  She sang during our session and she was filled with joy.

I am happy share these images with you. Enjoy!

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June 21, 2013
What a beautiful blog! Made me teary. It all reminded me when we first came to Australia, new language, new peanut butter :) Welcome back to Oz and don't worry you will always have friends to visit in Brazil. What a wonderful experience you had!
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Melissa Brezenski
June 21, 2013
oh Cindy! that made me cry!
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Giuliana Savage
June 21, 2013
It made me cry...I am so happy to read all that and to see that you had the same thoughts that I had when I moved to the US. The most beautiful thing is how we grow as a family and how we discover true love, the true meaning of little things. This experience is unique and all of you will carry forever. I wish you and your family all the best. All your friends will miss you! Many, many hugs Cindy! : )
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Vero Monroy
June 21, 2013
Wow, You put in words what we all feel when we have to come back to our homeland. Thank you for sharing it. Dana and I send you and your super nice family hugs and wishes to meet you once more wherever in the world it is. May God keep blessing you all!
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Mavia Cavanagh
June 21, 2013
Lovely words and pictures Cindy, made me tear up as well. There will be open arms waiting for you all at home.
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Dianne Ott
June 21, 2013
Beautifully put Cindy. Best wishes for your new adventure with your family. I'm sure there will be a few adjustments, even back "home," But as the saying goes "Be it ever so humble, there is no place like home. I'm sure you Mom and family are rejoicing at the news! It was such a pleasure to meet you in my short stays in SJC.
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    image421
    June 22, 2013
    Thank you Dianne, It was a pleasure to meet you. I love seeing the beautiful connection you have with Ashley and your grandchildren. It is inspiring.
    Reply
Sarah
June 21, 2013
Cindy, you made me cry. You will be sorely missed. What a beautiful post. I will think back on this during the low times and be inspired to enjoy all of it along the way. And ps...the right peanut butter to buy is any peanut butter you can find, right?
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    image421
    June 22, 2013
    Thank you Sarah, Saying goodbye to your family will be hard. Julian adores your family. You will stay in our hearts. And we like Peter Pan peanut butter, and finding it can be difficult :-)
    Reply
Carolyn Clarke.
June 22, 2013
BEAUTIFUL MEMORIES Between Tears & Laughter you went on life's journey to Brazil, you & your family have grown very close creating beautiful memories,& sharing them with us, we are very thankful that you have taken us on your journey, we look forward to the new memories on your life's new journey, as Mavia has written with open arms & open heart, "BETWEEN THE TEARS & THE LAUGHTER".
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Cheryl
June 22, 2013
very beautiful cindy...your words are moving and your pictures are always a joy..welcome home and dont give up on the photography you have a real talent...love you xxo
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Maria
June 24, 2013
Hi Cindy, I didn't know...wish you and your family, the best going back home ;o). It was nice to share with all of you, part of your adventure. Bsj and XOXOXOX
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Debbie
June 25, 2013
Where will the Cavanaghs be living in Australia?
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