going away

I need to go away. from bills, single-parenting, cable television, field trips and PTA meetings. I need to go away to save myself from the brutality of my own self-criticism and remember the many reasons why I am indeed a good mother. I need to touch, feel, smell and laugh. sleeping next to my husband. listening to my grandmother's hoarse, whispering voice. the sound of the ocean. eating lunch at 4 in the morning. I need to see amazement in my sons' eyes and plop down the anxiety, anger and guilt. even momentarily. I need to learn to love without anticipating too far ahead or expecting too much. and explore the humbling, deep and immense possibilities that my plain ordinary life holds, and are waiting to be released.

Comments

[Waya]

Have a fun and safe trip Irene! You said what I've been feeling all this past week, with the hubbie being gone and everything. I'm working on overdrive and pretty much over-exhausted too. Sounds like a nice vacation planned.

[samantha]

Absolutely your life holds deep, wondrous possibilities. I hope you have a wonderful, soul-restoring time. After the plane ride, of course.

[blackbird]

Oh Irene...
I think of you often -
go-
try to relax,
and I will continue to think of you...

[Ninotchka]

Good luck, my friend. This trip will be so good for you. xxoo

[my pink sky]

have a wonderful time irene...your going away sounds just divine.

[courtney]

Lots of luck! How wonderful to go and be with your family-perfect for recharging. I do not envy you the plane ride though...but I bet they will do just fine. Probably will think it's pretty cool and one thing I've learned is flight attendents have no problem with endless snacks and cans of juice when it comes to the little ones. My boys thought that was much cooler then the stuff we brought. Oh and a bag full of brand new quiet toys and activities.

[Oh, The Joys]

LUCK!!! For YOU!

[Shanna]

have a safe trip! all will be fine! they'll be fine and so will you! my suggestion would be to try to board first so that you can get them all settled, figure out which bathroom is the closest, and ask the steward if they have anything special for kids on long flights (like drinks, food, toys, etc.). i do that with jerrett even when we're flying for only 6 hours; they usually bring him extra cookies or ask if he wants to see where the captain sits. then he's fine with his dvd player and his books.

[la vie en rose]

amen! enjoy it my friend...you deserve it!

[jenny vorwaller]

oh irene, take as much time as you can, hugs, best wishes!

[ann-marie]

the best of luck as you travel. be safe and have fun!

[Kay]

Good luck and may you find yourself once more.

[Karen Miller]

I like the sound of that.

[Nicole]

Good luck! You will make it and it will be worth it! I promise. (And I never lie.)

[Marilyn]

OOOOH, I hope you're having a FABULOUS trip! How wonderful for your grandmother to meet the boys. Can't wait to hear about it when you return...and to see the photos, of course! xoxo

[Charmaine]

The sleeping next to your husband line really got me :) I miss that the most about my hubby being gone. Have a great trip, rest, relax and enjoy yourself! You deserve it.

[johanna]

mmm sounds good. have a wonderful time.

[Chris]

Have a wonderful trip!!

[April]

Good luck. Have a great trip!

[Charles]

Salut Irene!
Ca faisait un bail qu'on n'etait pas alles sur ton site...On espere que le voyage s'est donc bien passe et que vous vous amusez bien en Coree.!..Ca doit etre joli en ce moment...Ma mere et mes cousins vont en venir en Floride pour le marriage de Jeanne en Novembre et on demenage a Montreal a la mi-decembre...
Gros bisous,
Charles et Jane