We
all want it, most of us can't have it. It's an elusive paradise that often
comes in spans of 10 minutes here and there. It's a gift mom's are often given
once a year on Mother's Day. It's what many people aim for on a Sunday. Ah,
free time, glorious moments to yourself without any interruption.
Free time is so hard to achieve because we are all so busy, especially moms. Your children need as much of your attention as they can get, on top of your husband, other family members, friends and work obligations. Even if you don't have children, there are always social and professional demands calling your name. So all too often we find ourselves saying, "If I only had an hour to myself I would..."
Read, exercise, upload pictures from the last year, make meatballs from scratch, take a bath, paint, call an old friend, and so on and so on. I know I often think this as Audrey has her arms wrapped around my legs as I try to walk in the door from working all day, and Mike calls frustrated because he is stuck in traffic, and I need to get supper ready in 20 minutes or less. I fantasize about drinking something with an umbrella in it as I sit my ass in a beach chair by MYSELF. I long for time to myself, that is until I actually get it.
I am traveling for work this week, headed to Las Vegas, and I am dreading it. Finally I will have mornings to sleep in with no one to get ready except myself. I will have evenings free to have one too many glasses of wine and not worry about being responsible. I can shop without having to feed someone Cheerios to stay happy for a few extra minutes, and I can read People magazine start to finish on the airplane. All of that sounds glorious however right now it seems like torture.
Now that I have the opportunity to enjoy free time, I am soaking in every moment of being with my daughter and husband. I am happily doing the chores and praying for time to go slow. Free time doesn't seem as great as it does in fantasy land, but maybe that's why it is important to have it. We all get so tied into our daily lives that we often take them for granted, we take for granted the act of being present in our lives and in our families.
It is a blessing to have people to answer to and things to be responsible for; it means we are connected and loved. Having free time not only rejuvinates us, but also reminds us what is really important, so what do you say...go change those sheets on your bed and that baby's diaper with a big smile on your face, and heart.
Free time is so hard to achieve because we are all so busy, especially moms. Your children need as much of your attention as they can get, on top of your husband, other family members, friends and work obligations. Even if you don't have children, there are always social and professional demands calling your name. So all too often we find ourselves saying, "If I only had an hour to myself I would..."
Read, exercise, upload pictures from the last year, make meatballs from scratch, take a bath, paint, call an old friend, and so on and so on. I know I often think this as Audrey has her arms wrapped around my legs as I try to walk in the door from working all day, and Mike calls frustrated because he is stuck in traffic, and I need to get supper ready in 20 minutes or less. I fantasize about drinking something with an umbrella in it as I sit my ass in a beach chair by MYSELF. I long for time to myself, that is until I actually get it.
I am traveling for work this week, headed to Las Vegas, and I am dreading it. Finally I will have mornings to sleep in with no one to get ready except myself. I will have evenings free to have one too many glasses of wine and not worry about being responsible. I can shop without having to feed someone Cheerios to stay happy for a few extra minutes, and I can read People magazine start to finish on the airplane. All of that sounds glorious however right now it seems like torture.
Now that I have the opportunity to enjoy free time, I am soaking in every moment of being with my daughter and husband. I am happily doing the chores and praying for time to go slow. Free time doesn't seem as great as it does in fantasy land, but maybe that's why it is important to have it. We all get so tied into our daily lives that we often take them for granted, we take for granted the act of being present in our lives and in our families.
It is a blessing to have people to answer to and things to be responsible for; it means we are connected and loved. Having free time not only rejuvinates us, but also reminds us what is really important, so what do you say...go change those sheets on your bed and that baby's diaper with a big smile on your face, and heart.
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