Running Away to Recharge

Last week my husband and I were blessed with the opportunity to RUN AWAY. My amazing brother decided for Christmas to give us the gift of escape and fly us out to spend a few days in sunny San Diego. Our entire family (literally all 6 of our parents and 4 grandparents plus my brother) and several friends banded together and chipped in to make our escape possible. They watched our kids and took them to and from school, gave us money to put towards our trip (some with the instructions to drink haha!), took us to and from the airport, and even loaned us luggage. My husband’s Dad gave him extra work so we wouldn’t struggle financially with the time off. My team at work came together to make sure everything ran smoothly and gave me the peace of mind I needed to step away. A friend came over and took care of our dogs. With the logistics it took to get us out there you’d think we were moving an entire village.

I’ve been stressed out and tired for what seems like forever. I knew people could see it but I wasn’t sure just how much until today when one of the ladies on my staff commented on how great I looked since I got back from my vacation. She said I’d looked so worn out before that she’d thought of how badly I needed a vacation. It stunned me at first but in my heart I knew just how right she was. Everyone in my “village” saw it too and not just in me. They saw it in my husband as well. We’ve spent much of our time together going non-stop. We desperately needed to slow down and just be.

San Diego was exactly what we needed. We stayed up late (made slightly easier by the time difference). We tried new beer, new food, and the best ice cream I’ve ever had. We visited the the Veteran’s memorial where my grandfather sat and, I like to believe, made his peace in the last weeks of his life. We met family that I’d heard of for my entire life and they were everything I’d imagined and more. We ran away from my brother and mischievously explored some amazing ships. We reconnected and remembered what it was like to hold hands everywhere we went. Remembered what it was like to be us and not just Mommy and Daddy. As the experiences came and went I fell deeper in love with my husband. I felt my spirit find a deeper peace with where I am in life. Rested, assured that I am not just a boring Mom with no personal identity.

I promise to write more about our journey but for now I’m content to bask in the joy that accompanied the entire trip. I know that I am changed for the better. My heart feels so very full.