Literally and figuratively. For the past week the family has been on a "staycation," which was what we thought we'd most enjoy doing as a summer break. So my husband had the week off, and we saw the sights around Tucson, which are all still new to us, and then came home to rest every night. I bought paper plates and convenience foods so I wouldn't have to cook or clean as much, making it more like a get-away for me. It worked!
Today we went up Mount Lemmon, where the highest elevation sign we saw was 8000 feet. It was cooler up there; breezy, with wind in the pines. There are also boulders and blue sky, which are all generally part of Arizona high country, and constitute my favorite type of landscape. I think this has something to do with memories of summer camp.
Coming down the mountain, my husband remarked that it would be hard for him to readjust to waking up at 5 am. I responded that it would be hard for me to get used to being by myself with the kids.
Before vacation I was pretty miserable. I was looking forward to vacation but felt bad that I felt bad going into it. I still have some anxiety. I am more rested, refreshed, and re-oriented, and I am thinking I'll treat myself to another dessert to end the week.
I keep thinking about a Steven Curtis Chapman song called "The Mountain." I have meditated on the line that says, "You bring me up here on the mountain / for me to rest and learn and grow." This vacation has been such an experience. It was over too soon, like all good things, but we are all the better for it.
A few things that helped this week: 1) Just having my husband here with the kids and me. It was still work, but two are better than one. 2) Getting out of my neighborhood to do something fun (even though sometimes expensive) every day. 3) Reading _Desperate_ by Sarah Mae and Sally (something). This book has been a revelation and water for my soul. 4) Above-mentioned convenience foods and paper plates.
