Arriving in the Philippines over two years ago to help out after Typhoon Yolanda, I never expected I would still be here.
The amazing, crazy and tragic things that have happened over the past two years have left me drained but strangely uplifted and it’s only since Christmas that I made the solid decision to stay and create a permanent life here. Even three months ago I was still planning on returning to my Australian life later in the year.
But how to have a Philippine life helping children and an Australian life that funds the projects? Dual lives?
I have two adjacent lives that seem to neither cross nor meet. That’s my next challenge to create one life, where I am one person who spends time in both countries. How to become one person again that doesn’t exclude the people I love and care for in Australia and enables me to love and care for the children and families here I have grown to love.
I suppose it was having Jerry come back into my life in November who brought a vision of a future here.
So here I am exactly where I am meant to be and trying to be exactly who I am meant to be and live my life with more love, more tolerance and more kindness. Kids will do that to you.
© 2016 Melinda Irvine