Bloganuary Daily Prompt for January 27, 2023: What are the pros and cons of procrastination?
From Nicki Flores’ Journal
Dad has completely adapted to island life. He spends his days slowly sailing through the bays and inlets. It’s work, he says. But it’s the type of work that requires no effort. (How is effortless work work?)
Magdalena, too, seems to love the leisurely pace. Dad’s teaching her to swim, and she paddles through the warm shallow bay near the park.
We’ve set up the house with lots of fun activities, and, basically, once homework is done, we just let her do what she wants.
She writes or plays educational computer games. She uses a chemistry set designed for kids. She hangs out, and she’s happy.
As long as we don’t push her and give her plenty of time to approach activities the way she wants and when she wants, she doesn’t get overwhelmed. I’m learning a lot about what it means to self-regulate from watching her and the way she paces herself.
Asuka came for a long stay so that she and Magdalena could get to know each other.
I must admit, I really enjoyed having Asuka around.
“It’s great to have you here,” I told her.
“It’s great to be here,” she replied.
“Too bad you can’t stay longer.”
“A month is a long time,” she answered.
She became such a member of the family during that time. Magdalena really likes her, and she loves Magdalena, too. It was nice to have her helping out with daily chores. It reminded me of when Grandma was alive. In fact, I felt Grandma’s spirit so strongly in our home during Asuka’s visit.
“This has been so great,” Asuka said on the last night of her visit. “I’ve had the best time. I almost wish I didn’t have to go.”
It surprised me. It was the first time Asuka hinted at extending a visit–or maybe she was hinting at something more. Usually, she’s ready to get back to her own place and her own life and activities once the time for her visit was up. But this time…
“Are you saying you want to stay?” I asked. We’ve been putting off making our friendship any kind of official relationship for so long. Part of me wondered if there were advantages to stop putting this off for any longer.
“I’m just saying that I love being here, part of this family, on this beautiful island, with my beautiful best friend.”
I love having her here. I’m not one for hints and beating around the bush, though. I like to have everything out in the open.
We talked about our relationship. We talked about marriage. Maybe one day, we both decided. We talked about becoming official girlfriends. There were pluses: It would define our relationship in other people’s minds. Well, that was the only advantage we could think of. When it came down to it, we both realized, why bother? Why make any changes?
We’re both happy with things as they are.
“We’ve been friends for so long that I don’t feel like I need any type of official claim on you,” Asuka said. “You’re my best friend in my heart, and I’ll always love you.”
“You know I feel the same way.”
She got up to use the computer to see if her flight home would be departing on time.
“Let’s just wait,” she said. “There’s a lot of advantages to keeping things as they are. Why rush into change?”
What she said makes a lot of sense. My life has already changed so much, moving here, getting my writing career underway, adopting Magdalena. Those are all big life changes, and they say that even positive life changes bring stress. I feel pretty relaxed and unstressed, but I can still see the wisdom of Asuka’s advice that we keep things as they are. Sometimes, there’s something to be said for putting things off. It’s also kind of nice to have something to look forward to–a potential for another possible positive change someday.
Her flight would be departing on time.
“Just don’t forget how much I love you,” she said, as she kissed me goodbye.
I don’t think I can!
“Hurry back!” I said, as she left.
“There’s no need to hurry,” she said, walking out in a slow island pace. “I know you’ll be here!”
After Dad dropped her off at the main island near the air field, he just sailed around in the moonlight for a bit. He’s always been a laid-back kind of guy, but these days, he’s never in a hurry for anything.
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