My Most Treasured Possessions

I am not a materialistic kind of girl, I do not own very much, and what I have, does not hold great attachment for me. When I left England, I gave away everything I owned to charity, and left with a back pack on my back. Since settling in Bali I have accumulated things, but I could easily give it all up for a life on the road. All that is, except my three most treasured possessions; my children. I could not imagine life without these three amazing human beings.

Kai Mele (Song of the ocean) is my eldest, and will be turning 18 this year. He towers me, at over 6 feet tall, which makes it hard to imagine he was ever a tiny baby. He came in to this world on my bedroom floor, in the middle of my 27th birthday party. He was the best birthday present I could have wished for! He was the most beautiful baby I had ever seen, with his caramel colored skin, big brown eyes and ridiculously long eyelashes. He also inherited his father’s big smile that melts hearts to this day. He loves the arts, music, dance and drama, and is very entertaining. He also has a huge heart, making people feel at ease in his company. I have no doubt this charismatic nature will take him far in life.

When Kai was one year old, in fact, on our shared birthday, I started to feel the familiar nausea feeling, and 9 months later, his brother Kajika Olu (Walks quietly and gently) joined the family. Its always interesting to see how mixed children turn out, and Kajika definitely got more genes from my side of the family. He has my Scottish pale skin, and more western facial features, but still has the brown eyes and long eyelashes. Kajika is very sensitive, feeling empathy for all creatures, human, and otherwise. He hates conflict and is very gentle (just like his name). He does not speak as much as his siblings, but when he does, its very sharp and funny, in a very dry way.

Six years went by, and we decided to make a last ditch attempt to have a girl. We did everything all the old wives tales say, and something worked, as Keona Ipo (Gods gracious gift) was created. She was born in the bath, in a very gentle birth. They say babies born in water are very calm, and Keona certainly is. She has a feisty side, which is necessary with 2 older brothers, but she is also very sweet and gentle. Like Kai, she loves the arts, and plays violin and dances. In fact I am becoming a bit of a dance mom, but not crazy like the TV show!

I believe in supporting my children to follow their passions. They all have a very clear idea of what they want to do. All I am here to do is provide support. I know they do not really classify as “possessions” as Khalil Gibran wrote:

“Your children are not your children. They are the sons and the daughters of life’s longing for itself. They come through you but not from you, and though they are with you they belong not to you.”

Having said that, I treasure them, and am making the most of the time that I have with them. I am enjoying watching them develop their own unique characters. I know it will not last forever, as I have managed to instill in them a love of travel, and they are all planning to leave Bali and spread their wings. Its the best thing they can do. Bali is a small island, and they need to get out, and experience the world. Who knows, they might get tired of travelling, and decide like I did that Bali is the best place to be!