Sometimes a Mom Needs a Break

  Steve has been traveling quite a bit lately. It gets old. Fast. Missing him stinks. Having his patriarichal presence around is missed. The lack of his consistant strength is felt. And even though he's really good at making his support available no matter where he is, the simple fact is, it isn't the same as when he's home. The children ask where he is and when he'll be home and if he can help them with homework, they adjust with anything life shovels just as children typically do. So the one who is left missing the most, of course, is me...Mom. For many a month now I have expressed my desire to have just a couple days without the cares of household tasks with freedom to do what I desired, when I desire it. I suggested a couple days in a hotel room all on my own. So a few weeks ago, knowing he was going to be out of town a couple weeks in a row, Steve suggested I join him in coastal Newport for a night.

                                                                    (image found here)

 The promise of a nice quiet dinner eating seafood with a view of the water with it's crashing waves and uninteruppted time alone, was more than I could refuse. Having Friday off, the boys were content with the idea of my leaving to spend time with Dad on Thursday. I took off around 7 and left assignments with the children. Things went smooth. Dinner was nice. The view was lovely. The night with just the two of us was enjoyable. Then the morning came, and my arms ached for my babies. My voice yearned to express my delight in seeing them when they woke up. My heart felt tugs of lonliness and concern. There I was in a hotel room all on my own with the possibilities of doing whatever I desired...and all I wanted to do was race home as quickly as possible. To my life. It was important to have this experience to realize that, this is what I chose, the one I desire to live every day, and the people I'm so grateful the Lord has blessed me with to call family. But, sometimes a Mom does need a break. A time to distance herself from the life she lives in order to appreciate, from afar, what she has and know that the challenges in life are worth the effort for the blessings that come through conquering them. I'm grateful I had this opportunity. I'm content with what I chose to be...

                                                                                      ... my life.