So it was a bit of a disappointment upon our arrival to the long-waited holiday destination. Despite the research and recommendation by the travel agent, the children's pool was freezing, there were thousand stairs and no wifi..It was evening, we were tired and thought we would request a change of hotel the next day. This was March 21, 2016. I wake up the next morning as my phone is ringing. It's my brother-in-law calling from abroad. My stomach turns. Has something happened to the family? I hear relief in his voice as he hears we are safe and well. My children wake up and come sit next to me. Over the next few minutes, I hear the unspeakable horrors that had happened just a few minutes ago back home. At the airport check-in, where my girls were running and posing just a few hours ago. At the metro station next to our work. I see my six year old is studying my face and I have to control to keep my tears away. We end the phone call and I tell my husband we should forget about the change of hotel. Suddenly it all seemed trivial. Sun was shining and I propose we go have breakfast. I didn't want to tell the girls. Over the next few hours we receive tens of worried messages from family and friends around the world anxious to know if we're safe. It was quite frightening. Over the week, we tried to keep the holiday spirit up for our children's sake, but I think they sensed our tension. We kept ourselves busy: visiting the zoos, beaches, mini-discos..we even created a daily yoga practice all together. Back home, the spirits are low - national flags are out and solders are on the streets. Fortunately, my wonderful children don't realize this. They are thrilled about finding their favorite Elsa princess dress, hunting chocolate eggs and painting butterflies on their faces. I feel very grateful.
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