I thought I posted this on Friday. Don’t feel sorry for me. I had a great weekend!
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens. Ecclesiastes 3:1 (ESV)
Husband rarely goes away from home without me, but two things are sacred. Biketoberfest in the fall and Bike Week in the spring. It is a boys only experience then. Women are not allowed. Never have been. Never will be. Husband has been venturing to Daytona Beach, Florida every spring for over 40 years. Since he was first old enough to drive himself and ride a motorcycle. I knew when we got married that it was just one of those things I would have to learn to live with. Though I might protest, tradition does not change once the “I dos” are said. In the early years of our marriage, I chafed a bit, but found things to keep me busy. Then, we had kids. While he was away, playing, I was stuck at home being mommy and daddy. I was resentful to say the least. Until, I realized that just because I was at home, driving kids to school and going to work, didn’t mean that I could not have some play time, too. So, I quit cooking. We went out to eat every night that he was gone and on the weekends, we would do something fun. Then, the boys grew up, could hang on the back of husband’s bike or now, have their own. Suddenly, I find myself home alone again while the guys are off going to motorcycle races, eating crummy pizza on the beach boardwalk or drooling over classic motorcycles at the antique auctions. Eating out alone is not as fun, but I still don’t cook. Last night, I had BBQ from one of America’s best BBQ places that I got as take out and brought home to eat. My friends and family are coming to the rescue with plans for dinner, movies, shopping and horseback riding, but it makes me think of that “be careful for what you wish for” saying. Oh, how when I was a mom with young boys did I long for just some peace and quiet, a night to eat dinner by myself, a weekend where the house got cleaned and stayed clean. Now, I have it. And while I enjoyed staying up late last night working on a purse for myself and will sleep late tomorrow if the dogs will let me, being home alone isn’t all that I thought it would be thirty years ago. Every season of life has its benefits and its heartaches. One of our worst faults as humans is to wish our lives away. To think, “if only” or “someday, I will”. When in fact, every moment of our lives, including the hard times, have moments of joy if we only open our eyes to them. So, if you still have babies at home, hug them tight. If you are home alone, learn to enjoy the solitude. Be content with what you have and don’t be wishing your life away because tomorrow everything will be different. Just wait and see.
I know what you mean. I rarely have my house to myself these days, but I know the day is coming when I will. As it is, I look at my very tall 15 year old and find it hard to believe he was ever little. Tonight I got to baby sit some kids for the church. One is a three-year old and very sweet. When he got tired, he came and got in my lap and leaned back against me like little kids do. I remembered how it felt to hold my own sleepy three-year old and for just a moment, I could remember my big boy as a little one.