In about two weeks, my family and I will be taking a vacation. It is a trip that has a reason - to go to a wedding - but we have also planned for this to just be some family vacation time. We have cleared our calendars and designated this as time away. And I can't wait!
As we started thinking about and planning for this time away, I was at first daunted by the number of days and distance it would take me away - from home, from work, from our normal daily lives. But when I really sat down to think about it, I realized a sad fact. I haven't really taken a vacation - time that is completely away and free of work and other life commitments - in eleven years. I realized that meant that I haven't taken this much time for myself, my husband and our family since my husband and I said our "I do's."
What a sad statement that is - to think that a decade has gone by without a true bit of "self"ishness. For to take time where you really commit to not doing anything that relates to your day-to-day life is freeing, refreshing, and rejuvenating. And necessary.
That's not to say that in eleven years I've never had a vacation, it just has never been a time to truly relax and be away. As I look back on the past years, I realize that all the time off I have taken in that decade plus has been to visit family, have children, and attend other family events. I remember taking one week for just myself, but it turned out not to be a full time away, as I stayed home and puttered around, unfortunately checking work email too often.
So, this time, I am committing to taking the time - to be with my family, to be in the present moment, to see and enjoy the sights, the sounds, and the scenery. To really see everything and to enjoy it. To revel in having no commitments, no deadlines, no alarms and no due dates. To read what I want, when I want. To make memories. To just relax and have some fun. And maybe I'll come up with some blogs to share about all we are exploring and engaging with.
Let me say it again, I can't wait!
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