We are the world- We were the Children

I had the wonderful opportunity to live on the island for Trinidad for 4 years during my childhood. Trinidad and Tobago are sister islands located in the Southern Caribbean- just off the coast of Venezuela. From the ages of 4 through 8, I walked to school alongside the ocean and learned how to ride a bike on the sand. It was one of the most enriching experiences of my life that has helped sculpt who I am today.

During my years in Trinidad, I had the opportunity to parade and dance in the Trinidad Carnival. Every year, for a couple days in February, the children and many adults of the island dressed in the brightest, most elaborate costumes imaginable and performed to vivacious island music! We danced, played and paraded about for judges, for each other, for ourselves... for fun! We were everything from Presents to Children of the World to Coconut Kids! My life was engulfed in this incredible island culture!

It was such an amazing time of fellowship with all the other members of the communities as parents gathered to help design and make the costumes while the children played. The year of the Coconut Kids, we actually won an award for our costumes and (I think) our dancing! I still love to dance and it probably stems from the laughter and thrills while dancing with my friends in Trinidad!

My father always asks me if I enjoyed my childhood, and the only answer I can come up with is: I would not be the person I am today without all my worldly adventures. My parents desired for me and my older brother to be involved in the activities from all of the countries we inhabited, and then some. We celebrated almost every worldly holiday because everyone in our community was from different nationalities. I was thrown into many different cultures as a child and as an adult, I still try to surround my life with culture. Travelling the world is a passion and a dream- I would like to see and experience it all!

I still communicate with many of my friends from Trinidad. What a blessing to meet these amazing people as a child and still have their friendship 25 years later (and counting). This one goes out to you! Thank you for being a part of my childhood- I look forward to seeing you again!

May there always be a steel drum band playing in the background, a coconut near by when you're thirsty and the love of friends from your childhood in your heart.

Blessings,

Michaela

Our whole life is but a greater and longer childhood. ~ Benjamin Franklin