Chapter Two

Like an author dwelling on the perfect opening line for his book, I have been hesitating to start my blog as I had no idea how to begin …

I'm going to start at the beginning of Chapter Two, and then write it as the story unfolds. Chapter One was a long one, an introduction of sorts to my life, which stretches over 30 years. The story could have ended there, but the story of my life would have just ended with a feel-good, predictable ending. The thoughts of 'there must be more', has resulted in the start of a new chapter, Chapter Two.

Chapter Two starts at the beginning of 2010.  The setting - a small resort town situated on Lake Wanaka, New Zealand. Characters - Taryn, thats me. Daniel, my husband of 5 years, and our newborn son, Oscar Jack. 

My father flew in to meet his first grandchild. While he was with us, he encouraged us to dream, and to dream big. Dream without looking at our circumstances and finances. He asked us to submit our Dream Wish List to him within 7 days. My life's ambition was to be a mom. I was living out this dream. The 7 days went by and I would quieten myself, my thoughts, my mind and think about what I wanted out of life, and the only word I got was TRAVEL. How could that be possible with a newborn? I spoke to my father and felt almost tearful. 'Dad, I'm frustrated! I can't dream anymore!' The only thing I could think about was my vision I had years ago. It was an image of Daniel and I walking away in the distance, a baby on my hip, and Daniel holding a guitar. We were going … going where? I do not know. 

In August, I found myself craving change. Daniel came home early from work one morning, and announced that he had been made redundant. I burst out laughing! Not from nerves or fear, but out of pure excitement. A door was closing. I suddenly saw myself in the scene of the new Alice in Wonderland movie when Alice had just drunk the potion, holding keys in her hand, and was looking at all the doors wondering which one to walk through. 

We walk and talk. Walk and pray. Walk and think. Walk and dream… so we walked. Walked along the lake. Talking, praying, dreaming. All of a sudden I was dreaming again. We could do anything, go anywhere. 

We found that as we talked out our ideas, our dreams, they were soon becoming a reality. Tickets were booked, contacts were made throughout the world, visas were being applied for, furniture was sold, we were packing, moving. Farewell parties, last goodbyes. Boarding the first flight of three, I was struck with emotions, sad ones saying goodbye to family & good friends, and leaving the Land of the Long White Cloud, and happy ones with the excitement of the unexpected & discovery of new cultures, new lands.