In about 24 hours, my wife a child will be on a plane headed to California for a week. My wife's sister lives on the opposite side of the country and they miss each other a lot. So, for Mother's Day I decided to surprise my wife with plane tickets. It seemed like such a good idea at the time. Now, with the trip approaching fast, I am feeling very anxious. I've never been away from my wife for this long in years, and I've never been away from my daughter at all.
Cynics will surely say I bought the tickets to give myself the vacation, but that's not true. I don't do well when I am away from them. I won't sleep, I'll eat poorly or not at all, and I will be extremely listless. Thanks to Gmail's video chat we'll be able to have some contact, but in the end I'll be all alone.
So what am I supposed to do now?
It's funny how things have changed. These two girls are my entire life. My wife and I have been together for 13yrs (married for 6) and my little girl turned 1 a few weeks ago. When I'm at work I wonder what they are up to, when I'm driving home I can't wait to get in the front door to see them. I'm often bummed when my daughter is still napping when I get home. Is it manly to say that I love getting hugs from both of them is the greatest part of my day? No, probably not, but no one will ever accuse me of being particularly manly.
I just reread that last paragraph and you'd think they were going away for a month, but it's only a week. I can get through this, I can...No really, I can.
I'll let you know how it goes next week.
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3 comments:
Man, you are a better person than I am. I would petition GOD to have another 70 years with my wife and kids if I could. But vacation time is a MUST. Now, truth be told, I haven't spent much time away from the wife and the kids but I wouldn't have much of a problem with it on a one-off basis. I guess I won't know in the foreseeable future.
Why isn't it manly to admit you love getting hugs from your wife and daughter? I think it's wonderful that you do! Hugs are so vital and to get them from your spouse and child(ren) can set your whole day right. My girls, teens now, still hug and kiss my husband and me. The hugs make all of us feel good.
Good luck next week. They'll be home before you know it. I know, easy for me to say. A limited absence does make the heart grow even more fonder.
When I worked at the Y Summer Camp we used to tell the kids who wanted to stay ALL summer, "how can we miss you if you NEVER go away?"
Enjoy your time and recharge.
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