Where Was I Going Again?

She would love to runaway sometimes. She would runaway to either Kripalu, an expensive yoga retreat, or a commune, depending on what she could afford. The thing about a commune is, she would miss you. She imagines there would be no internet or cell phone service. She also imagines herself harvesting turnips from dawn to dusk and then collapsing into her bunk with hands too calloused to type. Or even pull the thin, scratchy blanket up over her shoulders.

But here's the weird thing. One time she spent five days at Kripalu, and all she did was cry. Fortunately she has ADD so things like shampoo ingredients and the glitter in the ceiling distracted her from crying non-stop. But really, what the heck? Was she overcome with joy or grief? Kripalu seemed like the perfect place to figure it out, but she never did. They have awesome salad bars by the way.

So what is so troubling that she wants to one away? She once met one super nice women with four kids who remarked that she wouldn't be able to be away from her kids for more than one day. This made her feel very guilty. Why does she want to be away from her kids and husband for five, fifteen if she could get away with it, days?

Well for one thing even though she loves talking to people (especially you) at the store, gas station, etc, she really is a loner at heart. She longs for silence and space. And if your house is anything like hers, it has neither. It seems that her kids are either bored, demanding food, or wanting her to fix something on their computers. Yes they each have their own computers. Shameful I know, but it buys her enough time to fold the laundry and stuff. And besides, taking away computer time is an excellent punishment when they do something naughty.

The important thing is that it's ok to have these thoughts. She loves her family more than she can say. She will keep them safe and well-cared for. And her ADD won't let her get far anyway. She's be distracted by the first grocery store and return home and hour later smiling and saying "Guess what? I FINALLY remembered to get aluminum foil!"

Keeping her family safe with aluminum foil, that is how she does it.