Leaving home again for another two-week stretch and, this time, I have very mixed feelings about being away so long. Somehow this next bit away really crept up on me and I'm feeling that there is so much to do here. My garden plots are filling out beautifully, the lilies are all opening up, work on our basement is chugging along, and my creative work is calling (or shouting) out to me. While our trip in May was a lot about rest and vacation and the six of us, this next stretch is pretty people-focused. We have wonderful friends and family that we'll be spending time with and I know it will be fabulous to reconnect with so many. I'm an introvert and really need that quiet and alone time to recharge and the reality of the next couple of weeks is that I won't get much of that. I tend to get a bit panicky and overwhelmed if I don't withdraw from time to time. I'm going to need to be cautious and realistic and I'm also going to have to remember that it's not all about me.
Why do I like being home so much? My beloved is a perfect match for me in that he is the only one that I feel I can really be quiet with. He totally gets that sometimes I need to just be still. I like my own imperfect space where there are chores to do and meals to cook and things to tidy and projects to work on. I feel like I get behind if I'm not at home most of the time. Get behind what? That's what I have to keep remembering. The work will be here when I get back. The projects will wait. Time with people is time well spent.
I am so thankful for the opportunities we have to travel and reunite with friends and family. We're off to our second year of family camp about 6.5 hours north of here. We'll spend a few days with Gary's sister and her family. We enjoy them very much and their home feels like the Hilton after camp with its warm showers and comfy beds. From there we will head to my parents' home where we'll spend a couple of days before Gary and I take off for a wedding on the west coast. Our children will enjoy an extended time at Grandma and Grandpa's, enjoying their company and playing with their wonderful neighbours next door. Good times are ahead.
All I have to do is breathe, right?
7 comments:
"All you have to do is breathe" is the BEST advice I've ever been given. I often forget to breathe and it's therein that I lose it. As for your introvert/quiet/still time..you can still do that...take a short 15 minute walk a couple times a day....get up 15 minutes earlier or stay up 15 minutes later than everyone else. I TOTALLY totally SO totally get that....I wish everyone understood tho, you're lucky you're beloved does.
Have a WONDERFUL trip and I can't wait to see photos, or scrap layouts or both ;)
((hugs))
From one introvert to another, praying that you find that aloneness in the midst of family and friends. And enjoy your time away with just Gary. What a gift to be able to do that!
I can so relate. I was just wondering if I will get any time to just lay on the beach with my eyes closed and not worry about socializing, maybe we can do it together and then we won't look *quite* so antisocial =D
And please tell me there are warm showers to be had at camp??? What have I signed us up for???!!! Tell me quick as I'm not sure I'll be able to breathe until I know =D
Prairie Chick: Have no fear. There are warm showers. Nice ones, actually. And I'm a shower every day kind of girl.
I am so excited to see you and not talk on the beach with our eyes closed.
Safe travels to you, my friend. And may you find that coocoon of quiet amidst the chaos.
I'm a homebody too. My SIL doesn't get it and thinks I'm totally mad at her and anti-social. I keep saying I'm not but she doesn't believe me. OH well... I agree with V, take walks and enjoy time alone. Have fun on your trip!
Have a good trip, hope you can enjoy the quiet times!
We'll miss you around here.
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