Move along people! Nothing to see here this week. I decided to take March Break seriously, for once, and skip work for almost a week. Therefore, nothing of interest–well public interest anyway– entered my mind over the last few days, which left me in a predicament for this space. Could I actually not have an editorial? Will people notice?

Yes, I could have pulled my laptop on the 3 hour drive to, or back from, Syracuse where we spent a few days. But I didn’t: I was immersed in my family. Instead, I took the time to sing silly songs, play 100 questions, lose a round of “I Spy with my little eye” and talk to my kids about their dreams and aspirations. I studied every detail of each of my kids faces and enjoyed their wittiness and brilliance. I learned a lot!

Most of all, I was reminded that that you can’t put a price on memories like these.

When I’m old and gray, I won’t remember that I didn’t work for those few days. I will remember that my kids all pretended to be one another to try and fool me, laughing and giggling each time I would call them their brother’s or sister’s name. I won’t be reminiscing on the editorial I didn’t write, I will be pondering on the fun they had, swimming in the pool at the hotel, and how we steadily had to be the “mom and dad horseys” carrying the babies into the deep waters on our backs. I won’t remember that I had to come home on a Thursday morning and rush this paper to press, or how expensive this little escapade was. I will cherish the memories of making too many waffles at the breakfast buffet for kids who think they can eat much more than they actually can. I will go back to the carousel or the hanging rope maze at the BIG Destiny USA mall and look back at the time spent basking in one another’s company. Quality time.

Am I rested? Of course not! I spent three days being my 4 kids personal clown! I’m exhausted! But I’m happy. And I’m satisfied. I am truly blessed by the gift all of my kids are. They are wonderful human beings, fine, outstanding young souls and I can’t wait to see all that they will become. They are kind, polite, gentle, meek… I delight in who they are, which my husband has a lot to do with. I am blessed by him too.

Remember…

“Your children are not your children. They are the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself. 
They came through you but not from you and though they are with you yet they belong not to you.”
Khalil Gibran