After spending the last 5 days with most of my family in Nags Head, NC, it is now just me, Mia and my Mama. It is rather difficult to decide whether I feel peaceful or a bit lonely...maybe a little of both. I got sweet hugs, kisses and snuggles from Emmie and Judah whenever I wanted (and they were willing to give...you know how little ones can play hard to get) and had my sisters and teenage nieces to chat with whenever I felt like talking. Even Daddy came this year, which is a first! I am sure that my brother-in-law, Ryan, was grateful to finally have a man here. Poor guy...he tolerates an awful lot of estrogen on this annual vacation.
Daddy, Rachel, Ryan and Judah left yesterday and Anna, Quillen, Singrid and Emmie left today. Mia definitely feels the lonely side of things. She could care less about peace. She loves the loud, chaos that is our family when we are all together and she misses it. She even misses Judah! It is funny, just writing that made me realize something about her. Though Mia is definitely a stereotypical only child in so many ways, she loves people. She loves family. She loves BIG family. She does enjoy her quiet, alone time, but not for too long. Many times I wonder if she would prefer to have a room of her own in a house that is just ours. Damon agonizes over it almost daily, thinking it would better for her. Yet, I see now how much she loves having others around. I think she would be lonely. I think living at my parents' house is good for her. She can hang out alone or with just me, but when she craves extra attention or needs a change, she just runs down the steps and hangs with her Grandma and big Daddy. My siblings, nieces and nephew are in and out of the house all of the time. She is always able to be with family. Sometimes it can be stressful, but overall it is a good thing.
Well, I am rambling. In the end, I totally enjoyed having all of my family here, less my brother, Bryan. He is not so much a beach person and has not been convinced to join us...yet. Having them all gone means no tense moments, no whining little ones, and quiet. It also means no rooms full of laughter and stories and kisses and hugs and pure, unadulterated silliness. I love my family, and I am so incredibly grateful for each of them. I am so thankful for the way we all love each other so passionately, so fiercely, so fully. And I am also thankful for the quiet moments away when I can miss them. It makes me appreciate them and our brand of chaos all the more.
1 comment:
Thanks for sharing. :) I like being around my family but I also need my "hermit" time, too. I always think of the way Jesus managed his time--he was with people A LOT, but he also took time away to be alone w/his father. Time away gives us a bit of perspective, I think.
Love you!
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