For the past two months, since my husband had his accident, I’ve been on kid duty pretty much alone.
My parents have been here to babysit, but that’s so I can either coach or get some work done at home.
So I’ve been on morning duty and nap duty and driving duty and dinner duty and bath time duty and bed time duty.
And I’m a little burnt out.
Like, If-I-had-the-opportunity-to-get-in-my-car-and-drive-away-forever-I-might-do-it burnt out.
Today, for the first time in a couple months, I took the day off.
I went and watched CCB run in the Hartford Marathon.
And I went alone.
I couldn’t wait to get away, to listen to whatever music I wanted, to walk at whatever pace I wanted, to go to the bathroom alone and whenever I wanted. I couldn’t wait to do whatever I wanted whenever I wanted.
About 30 minutes after I got there, I saw a little blond girl who was about three years old, rolling around in the wet grass, and I listened to her father exasperatedly tell her to get up because she was getting her clothes soaking wet.
I immediately thought of Number 7. And I missed her.
A little while later, I saw three little blond girls who were about number 5’s age.
And I found myself thinking, it’s too bad the kids aren’t here to experience this.
What the hell? I finally get a day to myself and all I can think about is the kids?
When I pulled into the driveway after being gone for twelve hours, I reached over into the passenger seat to get my stuff.
And when I went to open my door, this is what I saw:
Mommy! I really missed you! they all cheered in unison.
I have to admit, it was nice to hear.
And while I had a great time today by myself, well, I really missed them, too.
Leave a Reply