Time Away for Mom and Dad (part 1)

My husband and I have stolen away a precious week out of town without the kids.  Truth is that we could have made a way to take them and they would absolutely be in heaven at the resort that we are at.  I can just about see them as I look out over the ocean.  I can see them running and splashing and jumping in the waves.  I can see them laughing and getting sun tanned and building memories.  

But guess what, we didn’t bring them along.  It’s a little bit painful when I look out and I practically see them in my mind’s eye or I see other kids enjoying this place with their parents.  But the truth is, my husband and I need this.  We need to remember who “we” are.  Who are we when they are not around?  Who are we when they are also not a part of the picture?  What do we talk about?  Will we know what to do together when someday, not too long from now, they are gone?  We have had time this week to remember “us” again.  We have shared silly moments.  We have had many quiet moments.  We have gone to bed early with no one else to please and slept late more days in a row than we have since 20+ years ago before we had kids!  And now we are, oh so glad, that we didn’t bring them.  We are better for it and they are better for it too.