The Absent Uncle: Changeover day

As I write this on Thursday, April 23, we are entering our fourth week – and last – in Mexico. It has been a wonderful time, filled with conversations, just laying around, trying to plan when a grocery run might be a good idea, and generally enjoying our stay.
I have described the resort we have been coming to for over 20 years during this time of the year as a one of a kind. Small – only 124 units – and with daily and weekly rituals that those of us that value such structure and adherence to traditions, look forward to our stay and look forward to our departure with an accepted amount of dismay and resignation to the inevitable.
Thursday is check-in and check-out day. The week begins and ends with Thursday. When you stay for four weeks like we now are able to, we see the staff assist with departures and the welcoming smiles and more assistance for the arrivals.
Our unit is sort of in the middle – at a crossroads. I can sit on the patio, comfortable that I have no role in the ritual going on in front of me, but knowing next Thursday I will be part of the first act of the day.
As I mentioned, it is a small resort – a timeshare – but unlike any other timeshare you may have read about or tried to get out of (been there, done that).
You buy a specific week, a specific unit and it is yours for that week, or in our case, for four weeks. The benefit is we get to know others that share the time, that are our neighbors, and we develop friendships that are so an unexpected benefit of the money we’ve invested.
As I have grown older, I have realized that this time spent is so important. Slow down, listen, share time and understanding. Last year I lost two Cabo friends; I had not experienced that feeling before. This year, I have found myself very open to people that in the past I may have just not taken the time to interact with, to get to know, to let them know me.
I am sorry to have learned this lesson so late, but grateful to have learned and experienced the feelings.
For too long, the pressures of work, time management, and prioritizing attention didn’t allow the slow-down, the observation of new people coming in, people you have met leaving – but with a commitment to stay in touch.
I have already been contacted by folks from our first two weeks – checking in – saying hello. I’ ve come to love changeover days – in with the new and hold on to the old.