On Missing and Not Missing

I was out of town from November 1 through November 6. I went to Texas, to scrapbook.

Yes, you read that correctly.

I travelled 850 miles with my scrapbooking supplies, and met up with 34 other women to gather together and work on our scrapbooks together. Most of these women I had never met except for on an internet message board. All of them are dear to me now.

We laughed, cried, and stayed up way too late. We shared stories, we acted goofy, we teased each other. We chatted with other people from ScrapShare.

I worked on my family’s 2006 photos, and had a mission in mind: to get ALL of the pictures done that I had taken with me. I did not accomplish the mission, though I was close. I am caught up through mid-September of this year, which is pretty darn good, I think. Especially considering I’m getting more and more “arty” with my pages these days. Funny how abandoning the corporate ship can free a person.

What surprised me the most is that I didn’t really miss my kids. I mean, I missed the hugs and the kisses and their little personalities, but I didn’t miss THEM. I didn’t miss being MOMMY. I didn’t miss the bonecrushing responsibility that comes with that. Other people fed me, other people took care of my entertainment (other than the scrapbooking), and all I had to do was get up when I felt like it and go to sleep when I felt like it.

It. Was. Heavenly.

Coming home was welcome — I was so happy to see Jerry when I saw his car outside baggage claim. I was thrilled to see the girls on Monday night, to the point that their antics in the restaurant amused me rather than annoying me. And I’ve been calmer in my dealings with them since I got back. I neeeeeeded to get away. 5 days may have been a bit excessive, but I’m so very glad I went. I’m refreshed, happier, and calmer.

So I was missing for a week or so, but in the process I found myself again. In Texas! Who would have thought? It’s always the last place you look. 🙂